Is poetry "bad" or in need of an edit if you can't understand it?

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Question:

I'm in a writer's critique group and a poem was deemed as "bad" because the people "didn't completely understand it!." A few people completely got the poem, but most did not!. I thought it was wrong and rude of them to assume that since they "didn't get it," that the poem was garbage!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

If a poem cannot be understood in terms or bad language, it's a bad poem!.
If a poem cannot be understood because some people are plain stupid, it's a good poem!.
If a poem cannot be understood at all, it's literature!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

"A poem is never 'bad' if it means something to the writer!."

YES!. IT!. IS!.

There is bad poetry!. There is a LOT of bad poetry (oh noetry)!. Don't believe for a second that there's no such thing!. Richard Hugo--and award winning poet--likes to say that every poem has a trigger, something that sets it off!. What makes a poem good (one thing, anyway) is when you remove that trigger, hide it from the reader!. That is, a poem can't just be personal angst, as Jack said, but it needs to be divorced from the obvious autobiographical!.

As for understanding, that depends!. I have someone in my poetry workshop who never understands anything!. She always wants to see the trigger, see!? Her suggestions are usually bad!. However, if the poem is elliptical, overly elusive or conveys absolutely no meaning to readers, it's not doing its job effectively!. Readers CAN be mystified by what, exactly a poet is talking about, but should never be completely at a loss for some concrete images, a mood, etc!. See where I'm going!? It's good to keep them guessing, but never good to not give them something to go on and think about!. It's a difficult balance to reach!. That's what makes poetry hard to write!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree with you CrabCake!.

The fact that it spoke to SOME even if not Most, means that the poem does speak, just the people that didn't get it, needed to think a little further rather than dismiss it as 'bad'!.

A poem is never 'bad' if it means something to the writer!. There is no 'boxed in formula' for poetry!.

I think they are doing that "I'm so artsy and intelligent, that if I don't understand your poem than it's shiat" I know a writer that does that in a group I'm in!.

Just pay attention to the ones that have constructive critisism, not just 'oh that's bad'!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i wish i could read it!.!.!.my email is jyotsnapathania@yahoo!.com, plz send me a copy of your poem , i would love to read and cook something out of itWww@QuestionHome@Com

people who know nothing about a subject should avoid attempting to answer them
since u r a critique leader will u be kind enough to render ur evaluation to my three acrostics written at the request of fans please thanks

INTEGRITY

Integrity is the only thing that is lacking today,

Now In this world which is progressive as you say!.

Thus no one ever does a dimes’ damn work,

Each one in ones own right way does shirk!.

Gone are the days of honesty and truth,

Remember to rise above the normal base,

In this materialistic world of today

Throw your conscious please throw it away,

You need a proof, if so, ask the politicians you may!.

SURVIVAL COURAGE

Survival of the fittest is what we all actually know,
Under modern time’s only dictators, as democrats can grow!.
Remember if you have none to back you as before,
Very few of you will ever make it to the fore!.
In these situations one must endeavour to indicate,
Voraciously to let others know your syndicate!.
As followers if one want to be in the news,
Let every one know who all you really amuse!.

Courage is a word of the past
Only those who can say yes will ever pass!.
Undoubtedly you may softly ask
Rather sheepishly how to surpass!.
Go and get a solid strong recommendation,
Even to get a messengers post, be your intention!.

ABSTINENCE FROM SEX

All about sex ah whatever you want to know,

Be free to ask but your questions do not mask

Sex is the order of life in the world

Times immemorial, as it was ever since yester years,

In human nature sex is as natural as it is

Never mind in animals it s a natural instinct!.

Even the lowest living creature can only after sex

Nurture, continence is a subject for man alone!.

Care is necessary to avoid AIDS, HIV and STD,

Even if it you have sex, a known friend he be!.

For all times sex has been actually for procreation,

Remember today it’s only the best recreation

Oh I can see how you are blushing now

For how you wish, you knew precautions needed somehow,

Sex is the most essential need for entertainment my friend!.

Each one has to contain population, also avoid disease for sure,

Xxx!?!?!?Yes yes, abstinence is the actual answer, so have sex no more!.!.!.

Www@QuestionHome@Com

Hi Crab Cake,

Without actually seeing the poem in question I can only answer in general terms!.

The fact is, good poetry is difficult to write!. Sometimes poems are indecipherable because the language is totally subjective and undeveloped!.

"He stood aloof, angry as a mellon!."

What the heck does that mean!?

"The widening gyres truncated my soul!?"

Huh!?

Unfortunately, people often say things that mean a great deal to them but have no meaning to others, while some merely try to impress beyond their means!.

Someone once said that poets are people who write about emotions the rest of us only get to feel!. And that's the truth!. If you read the entries in this forum, 90% of all the people who post here are simply rambling about their personal angst!.

"Without you I'm lost and scream in the darkness!.!.!." and yada, yada, yada -- all the doo-dah day!. (You're miserable -- I got it -- so what)!?

As a reader, I'm not interested in your angst, I'm interested in you being able to shed light on my angst!.

All too often, new writers believe they're making art when they express themselves!. But any three year-old can do that!. (WAAAAAAAAAAA!. "Yeah, you're miserable!. I got it!. So what!?)!.
The art is in being able to use objective imagery and technique to shed light on the subjective experience, and thus turn it into something comprehensible to others!.

That said, not all poetry is easily understood!. Many poets use arcane imagery and symbolism that are difficult to grasp; and there's nothing wrong with that!. Some of Ezra Pound's works are still impenatrable to me!.

Bottom line, are the metaphors or images simply nonsensical or contrived!? The poem is bad, and you do the person no good by hiding your disdain!.

Is the work demanding and not obvious, but well structured and intelligently crafted!? Then it's good, and you have to rise to its level!.

Without anything more to work with, this is the best I can do!.

Hope this helps!. Cheers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com