Position:Home>Poetry> What criteria, exactly, must be met for a poem to qualify as good?
Question: What criteria, exactly, must be met for a poem to qualify as good!?
In a literary world of differing opinions, flavors, likes, and tastes, how is it that we can, sometimes, all (not literally all of course) rally together in consensus around so vast and varied a gathering of diverse and contrasting poems, and agree that they are good!? Though there will remain an exception here and there, the vast majority of readers throughout history have been continually moved, motivated, and even inspired by poems such as The Raven, The Road Not Taken, Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day, etc!. (Needless to say, the list extensively goes on)!. What does a poem need to elicit such a collectively favorable response!? Imagery, meter, rhythm or lack of all those!? Uniqueness, wit, humor, emotional appeal, creativity etc!. This doesn't answer my own question either because many bad poems have these traits, but perhaps in the wrong order, or amount, or style!. Or is there simply no simple answer to what I am asking here!? Is it arbitrary!? But if so, why certain poems!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
it has to touch me!.!.!.!.!.!. deeplyWww@QuestionHome@Com
It must connect to the person reading, and it must show the writer's soul!. This is not possible with all poetry as it is impossible to connect to every single person!.
As for the three you listed, I find The Raven very moving, The Road less Traveled interesting, and I can't stand the last one!.
All art is subjective!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
It is impossible to answer this question in a forum such as this!. You might as well ask what makes a painting a masterpiece or a symphony good enough to be played centuries after its composition!. Entire courses of study are devoted to answering your question as well as hundreds of books and articles written!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
it has to come from the heart
this is what I look for and I would emphasize
How the poem is written
whether it rhymes or not
only the author decidesWww@QuestionHome@Com
I think, unforgettablewords, or the feeling of the words, that you are drawn back to time and again, words that you value
and use in your life, Example, "It was the best of times, It was
the worst of times!." etc!. " "We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind!." Then you have a hunger to go back and read the all, once again!.Certain poems just touch heart to stay, A personal thing I think between the writer and the reader!. Anyway, there are a zillion lovely poems, then
and now! Guess the classic are just that, Classic!. smooth as silk!.Www@QuestionHome@Com