A question from a "potential" poet

[DirtyJJ]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time here in the Poetry Forum, so I apologize if this question has been asked before.
Until now, I have written stories and consider myself a decent writer in terms of how I construct a story, grammar, spelling, etc. I know how to write something and then go back and make edits so that it reads or flows better.

But in terms of poetry, I don't know how to go back and edit it to make it a "proper" poem. If I write a poem, I usually just let whatever I am feeling flow out and then I am not sure what to do to "polish" it or improve it to make it the best it can be.

Does that make sense? I guess in the bigger picture I am asking "what makes a good poem?" and more specifically, what can I do when I write one to make it better?
Thanks everyone,
JJ

 

[twelveoone]

covered here most recently
https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=270159

 

[Ravin the Poet]

What makes a good poem has nothing to do with grammer, spelling, flow or anything else. It has to do with what you feel for the poem. If you think it's good, that's all that matters. Sure others will need to look at it, and they may not like it, but the poem has meaning to you, and I for one take the meaning of the poems, over someone saying it sucks anyday.

Just enjoy what you write. The good thing with poetry is, there is no wrong way of doing it.


Ravin

 

[tarablackwood22]

What makes a good poem has nothing to do with grammer, spelling, flow or anything else. It has to do with what you feel for the poem. If you think it's good, that's all that matters. Sure others will need to look at it, and they may not like it, but the poem has meaning to you, and I for one take the meaning of the poems, over someone saying it sucks anyday.

Just enjoy what you write. The good thing with poetry is, there is no wrong way of doing it.


Ravin

Dirty JJ,

The above is very unsound advice.

What makes a good poem? That is not a question with an answer that I know of.

The best way to understand poetry is to read it, and read it, and read it. And everytime a question pops into your mind, try to give it a reasonable answer.

The way you learn to do anything, from walking to riding a bicycle to writing poetry, is to do it and take scabs and go back for more.

Tara

 

[Ravin the Poet]

Depends if you want poetry that is grammar right or feeling right. So in a sense, both of our comments are right. Since now I can't edit anything I write, I worry more about the feeling.


tarablackwood22, got any advice on how to improve editing for someone who has learning problems with english. (I went through the Canadian school system with 50-60 englsh marks.)


Ravin

 

[tarablackwood22]

Depends if you want poetry that is grammar right or feeling right. So in a sense, both of our comments are right. Since now I can't edit anything I write, I worry more about the feeling.


tarablackwood22, got any advice on how to improve editing for someone who has learning problems with english. (I went through the Canadian school system with 50-60 englsh marks.)


Ravin

Look for someone competent who is willing to edit your work, and attempt to understand the errors they repaired, and why they did it.

Language is complex.

But to say spelling or grammar or flow have no bearing on good poetry is just plain wrong.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

What if you read it to someone...my spelling means nothing

 

[twelveoone]

Depends if you want poetry that is grammar right or feeling right. So in a sense, both of our comments are right. Since now I can't edit anything I write, I worry more about the feeling.


tarablackwood22, got any advice on how to improve editing for someone who has learning problems with english. (I went through the Canadian school system with 50-60 englsh marks.)


Ravin

at the bare minium, everything should be edited, at least twice, above all it should be "meaning" right, you have to know what you are doing, grammar is a tool, the "feel" of words also, for it to work the meaning has to be conveyed.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

at the bare minium, everything should be edited, at least twice, above all it should be "meaning" right, you have to know what you are doing, grammar is a tool, the "feel" of words also, for it to work the meaning has to be conveyed.

Thanks for the add in. That's what I was going for.

 

[tarablackwood22]

What if you read it to someone...my spelling means nothing

Poetry, read or not, is always made for the EYES as well as the ears.

To expect readers not to notice spelling errors, or to accept them,
is not the sign of someone who is interested in their own progress.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

What about rap, that is lryical poetry that is spelled differently. Such as gangsta', rippin', rollin'


I just don't define what poetry it. TO me it's the words that mean something and how those words come out. As long as the message is clear, it doesn't matter how it's spelled. Sometimes the misspelling is the best form for the poem.

Ravin

 

[tarablackwood22]

What about rap, that is lryical poetry that is spelled differently. Such as gangsta', rippin', rollin'


I just don't define what poetry it. TO me it's the words that mean something and how those words come out. As long as the message is clear, it doesn't matter how it's spelled. Sometimes the misspelling is the best form for the poem.

Ravin

That is SLANG that is spelled incorrectly ON PURPOSE, and with INTENTION.

That is not what we were talking about.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

Ever hear of a guy named Lloyd Banks, currently in a group called G-Unit.

He wrote what is called street poetry. Spelling and grammar are thrown out the window and it's about raw emotion. I've read his work, and much like mine, it has very little grace when it comes to spelling. It's just rough raw emotional about where he lived.

As I said, I look more into the meaning of the words, rather then how to spell them. I'm not here to get my poems published, I am here to speak my peace and move on. Nothing more.


Ravin

 

[tarablackwood22]

Ever hear of a guy named Lloyd Banks, currently in a group called G-Unit.

He wrote what is called street poetry. Spelling and grammar are thrown out the window and it's about raw emotion. I've read his work, and much like mine, it has very little grace when it comes to spelling. It's just rough raw emotional about where he lived.

As I said, I look more into the meaning of the words, rather then how to spell them. I'm not here to get my poems published, I am here to speak my peace and move on. Nothing more.


Ravin

If you are looking for quality verse in rap or hip-hop, you are looking in the wrong trashcan.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

If you are looking for quality verse in rap or hip-hop, you are looking in the wrong trashcan.

I'm surprised someone like you, would throw lyrical poetry into the trash-can. Well, it doesn't surprise me. Simple minded normally do.


Ravin
-waits for responds and "No your simple minded Ravin" reply because I know tara can't resist!!!!

 

[tarablackwood22]

I'm surprised someone like you, would throw lyrical poetry into the trash-can. Well, it doesn't surprise me. Simple minded normally do.


Ravin
-waits for responds and "No your simple minded Ravin" reply because I know tara can't resist!!!!

That's your last insult, to me at least.

 

[Ravin the Poet]

Good, because I'm done as well. You insult me, don't expect me to sit here and do nothing. As people have said, what goes around comes around.


Ravin

 

[tarablackwood22]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time here in the Poetry Forum, so I apologize if this question has been asked before.
Until now, I have written stories and consider myself a decent writer in terms of how I construct a story, grammar, spelling, etc. I know how to write something and then go back and make edits so that it reads or flows better.

But in terms of poetry, I don't know how to go back and edit it to make it a "proper" poem. If I write a poem, I usually just let whatever I am feeling flow out and then I am not sure what to do to "polish" it or improve it to make it the best it can be.

Does that make sense? I guess in the bigger picture I am asking "what makes a good poem?" and more specifically, what can I do when I write one to make it better?
Thanks everyone,
JJ

JJ,

I apologize for allowing your thread to deteriorate.

Just siphon off the helpful answers and ignore the posts that were not related to your questions.

If they were not answered satisfactorily, please ask again.

Looking forward to your poetry.

Tara

 

[twelveoone]

Re: Re: A question from a "potential" poet

JJ,

I apologize for allowing your thread to deteriorate.

Just siphon off the helpful answers and ignore the posts that were not related to your questions.

If they were not answered satisfactorily, please ask again.

Looking forward to your poetry.

Tara

Sorry. I had to leave right before this happened, "meaning" must have been a bad choice of words in hindsight. I should have been more specific, forgetting that everyone creates "meaning" in their own mind, I was refering to a more generalized, truer "meaning" as in between author and audience.
You have to know what you are doing,
but you have to start doing, if you listen than you learn how much more you have to know.
Tara - I apologise (for the word "meaning"), I should have seen this coming, I thought after the apology, in another thread...
and jj -Tara is one of the best,

 

[DirtyJJ]

Re: Re: Re: A question from a "potential" poet

I should have been more specific, forgetting that everyone creates "meaning" in their own mind, I was refering to a more generalized, truer "meaning" as in between author and audience.

Yes, I think this is what I was getting at. I can write a poem that captures feeling and meaning for me, but was wondering how to then translate that into a "better" poem that can be enjoyed by a wider audience. I do have a lot to learn in this area, and I thank you and the others for your advice here and will keep seeking to learn more.
JJ

 

[twelveoone]

I did use it right "for it to work the meaning has to be conveyed."
Well, still and all,
Tara is one of the best.

 

[The Mutt]

If you intend to communicate to a mass audience (and by mass I mean more than 1 person) you have to be understood.

Bdhaiu bjadai aku
adjadg
kserutew

That poem may have deep meaning to me. Will it to anyone else?
Before you can break the rules, you have to understand the rules and understand why you want to break them.

 

[twelveoone]

If you intend to communicate to a mass audience (and by mass I mean more than 1 person) you have to be understood.

Bdhaiu bjadai aku
adjadg
kserutew

That poem may have deep meaning to me. Will it to anyone else?
Before you can break the rules, you have to understand the rules and understand why you want to break them.

aku aku kserutew

God Bless you, where's the thermometer - 100

I wrote something once that was sheer genius, I understood it, no one else did. (oh yeh, the one thing I didn't edit.
If a poem dies in a posting, does it make a sound?
Here is an idea, write something, read it, what does it say to you, get rid of everything in it that doen't support what you are trying to say, add anything that you think may support it again, how does it sound, is it consistent? Then ask yourself, have I heard this too many times before - if not submit.
Another thing is look at the poems posted that have comments, generally, they have been successful in conveying meaning, try making a comment, as to the poem means to you. Follow who you like, you'll start getting ideas.