Is Yahoo! Answers the place for your Poetry?

Question:I'm beginning to doubt it for me. Basically I could care less about poem rating but am very interested in solid critiques and a good conversation between poet and reader. a conversation that includes modifying a posted poem based on suggestions and comments.

How about you? does Y!A meet your requirements or does it frustrate you as to it's posting character limitation, it's stripping of formatting, and it's flood of homework postings?

If so, what sites do you use? What sites do you recommend?

It's no secret I like http:\\www.NeoPoet.com but I would love to view your thoughts on this subject.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm beginning to doubt it for me. Basically I could care less about poem rating but am very interested in solid critiques and a good conversation between poet and reader. a conversation that includes modifying a posted poem based on suggestions and comments.

How about you? does Y!A meet your requirements or does it frustrate you as to it's posting character limitation, it's stripping of formatting, and it's flood of homework postings?

If so, what sites do you use? What sites do you recommend?

It's no secret I like http:\\www.NeoPoet.com but I would love to view your thoughts on this subject.

I stumbled upon Poetry at Answers.Yahoo after entering the site to visit Words and Wordplay. I haven't actually been looking for poetry sites, so at the moment I am happy to post my poems here. I admit there is a huge disparity between the good and the bad poems. I have started to discover a pool of poets whose work I admire, and a few poets who need encouragement but whose work needs a lot of polish.
So, my pleasure in the site is seeing some of my poems actually being read (instead of lurking on old floppy disks), and enjoying poets such as Russell G, and feel I can help some of the less able, or less experienced poets up the ladder. I will have a look at Neopoets though. I have added you to my contacts.

It's the place for me. I do appreciate well thought out and constructive criticism, but I also like just sharing my thoughts and having fun. Not to mention, I've met some pretty wonderful people here in Y!A poetry. I like being around intelligent, like minded, and artistic individuals and I've found a load of them right here. For me, it's not all about getting my poems critiqued. It's about enjoyment and connecting.

Addition: I left out part of my answer. To be honest, I think the best place for a no-nonsense critique would be from a professional poetry editor. I'm pretty sure you can hire them to critique your work. Just avoid the ones with green eyes.

Honestly, the only place I ever felt like I got good critiques was college.

Edit: I gave the work you have posted a quick read to see if I have any thoughts for you. I don't really have much to say about any individual piece, but I do about your work on the whole. You do a great job of thinking through every line, to the reader they have a real feeling of craftsmanship, every one of them is solid and stable and seem to lack the moments that can bring down or distract from a poem. You should be commended for that. That being said, there is a difference between writing a poem and building a chair. To me, a poem is only as good as its best line, if there is a line in a poem that will stay with me for life, that is the success of a poem, a poem with no weak points and no real strong points will never be as powerful as a poem that fails in moments and has those immortal moments that make poetry something to read. I read the poems you posted and there was never that kind of moment. I know this is a horrible comment in that all it does is insult you and not tell you how to fix the problem, but this is how i feel. If you want a poem that leaves a real impact you might need to stop writing like you are afraid to have a poor line. Also- have you ever read the oulipo compendium? It might be a worthwhile thing for you to seek out, given your interest in form. If you think rhyme and meter are challenging, try writing a novel without the letter "e."

I think it is a good place to get your feet wet, a good out let for amateurs, I see no reason to complain about them, If one
thinks their poems are superior to others posted on here they should just not post them and move on to greater heights.
I see this sight as a free for all and all are welcome if they are respectful to others. And hope all is used as a learning tool, for each and every one. All is as vanity, not published and paid. I can't help but think if one was a successful published poet they would not be posting their work on this sight.

Everything has its levels, and everything has it shine, if you get my meaning. One has to decide what exactly they are looking for, pure or watered down. Personally, my ideal is to sit alone listening to jazz and sipping a three-ounce glass of McCallan, neat; but there are times when a good ol' rum'n'coke is what you are looking for.

Best of both worlds for this kid. When I have the time, it is the refinements and purity of McCallan, but during the day (when goofing off at work, for instance--shh, don't tell the boss), its rum'n'coke... many of 'em!!

It's a bit risky...for the serious poet. Most critique answers are 50/50 right/wrong/dead wrong.

Go to poemhunter dot com, then, even without being a menber, you can view the forum( you'll see the place that says 'forum'...just click on that word). Sometimes very serious!!! And, then, sometimes funny with reparte...but it always comes back to members views on poetry posted there.

Well yes i think it is as this is how i discovered poetry and have learned a lot since.They have critics that help you a lot and some that just put you down but if you want to write it' you have to have a thick skin i've; learned.

I enjoy those who comment on my potry. They get me, and make it fun. And they do critique, when they feel I need it and it is appreciated.

I like it here but i am always fearful after i spend 2 hours rewriting and going over the poem' that someone reports it and i get a violation and it gets deleted.This has happened 2 times in the last 2 weeks' and they are not vulgar at all.Dark maybe but not terribly.I have been taking break till i shake my self off again.

I come to this from the opposite direction. I had no desire to write poetry and came upon this section by chance. I really enjoy being of some assistance by offering critiques to others. I am delighted with the efforts of the many young people who combine enthusiasm and talent. It also offers me a forum to subject a multitude to the agony of listening to my jokes. And mirabile dictu! I have begun to respond to many questions in a poetic form. So I'm having fun here.