Poetry Tasting

[impressive]

How do YOU read/interpret/judge a poem?

Is it like a wine tasting? Smell it. Taste a tiny sip. Swirl it around in your mouth, savoring the undertones. Spit or swallow?

Or, do you immediately see technical flaws -- rhyme, meter.

Is this related, in any way, to whether you're a "thinking" or a "feeling" personality -- or is it more tied to education/training? I mean, do you FEEL a poem first -- or THINK it?

Such questions Humor me ...

 

[BooMerengue]

Good morning, Imp. Nice way to start the day - good question.

I 'feel' poetry. I'm not educated enough in the mechanics to even begin to read that way. I just like/dislike how it makes me feel.

There are some poems I call Bam! poems, and those are always 5's. They make me feel something unexpected right away.

I'm a plebian; I distrust poems with too 'flowery' a vocabulary. I'm well enough educated that I don't need a dictionary but rarely. It's not that I don't understand. But sometimes I wonder..." Who the hell talks this way?" It'll sound artificial, which makes me think the poet is after the wrong thing.

Anyway... Thats My Humble Opinion! Now I'll drink my coffee and see what others say.

 

[sophia jane]

jumping in here

I read poetry for the feel of it. If I don't like the technical aspects at all, I might not be able to pay attention to the feeling. For the most part I read a poem and if it touches me or makes me think, I like it. That's the way I write poetry as well. The words simply come out of a emotion for me.
I don't like "flowery" language either; sometimes it's necessary but often it's pretentious.
Just my two cents.

SJ

 

[impressive]

I'm not educated enough in the mechanics to even begin to read that way. I just like/dislike how it makes me feel.

Same here -- and good morning to you, too.

That being said, I can appreciate balance and flow (even if I can't name a particular rhythm).

 

[BooMerengue]

Same here -- and good morning to you, too.

That being said, I can appreciate balance and flow (even if I can't name a particular rhythm).

Me,too. I have a high appreciation for 'form' poetry, tho I don't always recognize the form. But I DO recognize how it makes me feel when I read it. It's a lot of work to say what you want while keeping to restrictions. When I see someone do that I have to appreciate it.

I guess you can add old fashioned to plebian...LOL

 

[PatCarrington]

How do YOU read/interpret/judge a poem?

Is it like a wine tasting? Smell it. Taste a tiny sip. Swirl it around in your mouth, savoring the undertones. Spit or swallow?

Or, do you immediately see technical flaws -- rhyme, meter.

Is this related, in any way, to whether you're a "thinking" or a "feeling" personality -- or is it more tied to education/training? I mean, do you FEEL a poem first -- or THINK it?

Such questions Humor me ...

i think everyone feels a poem a little differently, unlike prose. to me, this makes poetry that much more fascinating.

it is always about the words for me - the choice of words and especially their placement.

no one has anything "new" to say, but many have "new ways" to say old things. it is that newness i find in poetry of quality.

and when it takes my breath away for a second, i know it's there.

nice topic, impressive.

 

[twelveoone]

Oh well, I guess I've never submit here, it was a such a nice flower too.

Three things I look for: Good opening line, good closing line, if it is different. It helps to either say something different, or say it in a different way, if it is funny extra points. It must have a minium of cohesive structure, than I look at how well it is put together, the relationship of the words to one another, to a "story" or a "mood" that is conveyed, or in some cases a "non-mood" or "non-story".
I don't care about stresses, meter, beats since I'm going to read it like Christopher Walken, or Jon Lovitz or some other strange voice that pops in my head, anyway.
Sometimes Marcel Marceau.

 

[Angeline]

Morning Imp. I think you did an excellent review in Pat's thread--I found your observations insightful and productive.

I am an editor. That's the work I've done for years, and it colors the way I read and critique. When I read something, I first try to get an overall impression. With a poem I first try to understand overall what the writer is trying to say thematically. Then I look at what words are used to express that, how tone affects the poem's ability to convey its theme and, finally, if there are any stylistic or grammatical errors that impede that. I think it's important for poems to be consistent in theme and tone and I try to judge how well the devices of poetry--language choice, images, metaphor, support that.

Good thread.

 

[impressive]

Morning Imp. I think you did an excellent review in Pat's thread--I found your observations insightful and productive.

Thank you. That meant as much to me as any PC on any poem.

 

[DeepAsleep]

How do YOU read/interpret/judge a poem?

Is it like a wine tasting? Smell it. Taste a tiny sip. Swirl it around in your mouth, savoring the undertones. Spit or swallow?

Or, do you immediately see technical flaws -- rhyme, meter.

Is this related, in any way, to whether you're a "thinking" or a "feeling" personality -- or is it more tied to education/training? I mean, do you FEEL a poem first -- or THINK it?

Such questions Humor me ...

being a feeling person with a bad habit of thinking... When I'm reading someone else's work, I feel it out. Some poems work for me, right up until a certain line and then I stumble. Sometimes, none of it works for me. Understanding why not is occasionally beyond me. I've looked at poems that I feel like I SHOULD like and drawn a complete blank when it comes to feeling them. I have a poor understanding of what's been called "Form" poetry. I'm not trained for it. Hell, I've been writing poetry for about as long as I've been on lit, which is something over eight months, or so, I forget. ... The way I judge poetry is colored by what I think poetry is. My friends and I are great bullshit artists that enjoy sitting around and talking. One thing that's come up is the emotional/rational split that's been mentioned here. Most of my friends are highly analytical, highly logical people. I am not. I can do cryptograms and logic puzzles, and beyond that, logic stops being a huge part of how I look at things. I've tried to explain why I feel the need to write poetry instead of prose, to these people and always come up slightly short, because I can't do it on their terms and they don't seem to get mine.

So, yeah. Sometimes, I stumble in a poem. I know which words don't work, but rarely understand completely why I don't like a particular word choice.

 

[Reltne]

I guess that I am on the other side from most of you. I am very analytic and love structure and word play. If a poem promises rhythm and rhyme and falters I am immediately put off. Repeated spelling or grammatical errors, even in blank verse, likewise cause me to lose interest.

I also disagree that there is nothing new to write about, but do admit that most poetic fodder has already been well-chewed.

Furthermore, I think that poets should learn and master basic structures and techniques before deciding to reject them and put them down. That they haven't or won't is a major reason for the low quality of many of the submissions to Literotica. - An artist should be at least able to draw a straight line before refusing to, and most "good" ones can paint very realistically when they want. A musician must know the scales and learn his instrument before playing impromptu jazz. - More people should learn to read, look, and listen before trying to create. Just because you can get pregnant doesn't mean you should make a baby. Just because you can read doesn't mean you should write poetry.

Myself; I simply cannot write like Annaswirls or denis hale. Perhaps that is why I envy them and love their work so much. My thoughts do not "flow" in such wonderful ways and phrases. I don't know how Anna does what she does, even in her Journal. I am stuck with occasional "cute" bits of word play. I don't get a Muse deluge of bubbling stream of consciousness. If it is a good day, I may get things like "awful" & "awe full", or "also" & "awl sew".

But I acknowledge that these are my own personal views and carry no more weight than anyone else's.
With that disclaimer I will retire from the discussion and withdraw to the sidelines.

 

[Remec]

How do YOU read/interpret/judge a poem?
Is this related, in any way, to whether you're a "thinking" or a "feeling" personality -- or is it more tied to education/training? I mean, do you FEEL a poem first -- or THINK it?
QUOTE]


Hmmm....interesting things to think about...

I would say that I try to read them just for the pleasure of discovery...to see what sorts of images and/or reactions are provoked within me...but, if there is anything prior to the actual reading experience (notes from the author, details in the title or subtitle) that might imply the author was attempting anything specific in the technical side of their craft, then those items might cast a shadow on how I read the poem.

eg, Someone has a poem using a particular form. "Poem:A Whatever" If it's a form I'm familiar with, I find myself looking it over as I read it for all the right bits and pieces that make up that form.

another eg, On scanning, it's obvious the poet was trying to rhyme the verse. On some level, I become detached and focussed on whether or not they succeeded, as opposed to reading the poem as a whole and then zeroing in on the rhymes.

But this is reading for enjoyment, education, or review...when editing, I tend to work from structure and composition (word choice and usage, meter, rhyme) first...and whether they are fulfilling the goal of the piece as best they can...

 

[Guest]

How do YOU read/interpret/judge a poem?

Is it like a wine tasting? Smell it. Taste a tiny sip. Swirl it around in your mouth, savoring the undertones. Spit or swallow?

Or, do you immediately see technical flaws -- rhyme, meter.

Is this related, in any way, to whether you're a "thinking" or a "feeling" personality -- or is it more tied to education/training? I mean, do you FEEL a poem first -- or THINK it?

Such questions Humor me ...

At first glance, it's the title.... yes, I judge a book by it's cover too. Second, the first stanza of the poem (it still needs to draw me to read it). After that I look at the poem on a whole. The greater meaning (abstract or not) and I look for a complete unique image said in a strong emotive voice.

Do I find that in every poem? Sometimes, other times I see parts of what I am looking, which suits me well. I still end up liking the poem if it piqued my interests—even if it does or doesn't fit my criteria of what I believe is a good poem. No set standards and rules—I don't follow them nor do I expect anyone to either.

 

[sandspike]

Been drinking, what was the question?

I think I look for rhythm. If I can't 'dance' to it I won't like it. Never having
cared about education, I don't know about forms, spelling, punctuation and
the list goes on. It's reading by ear and seeing if I heard anything. On this
board I try and read poets I like or titles that catch me as cool. I think a poem
must flow to it's destination. A good opening line will get me started, but I have
to see meat in the swandwich. Is it a poem that creates an emotion in me? If
it does then

 

[quasar]

I guess that I am on the other side from most of you. I am very analytic and love structure and word play. If a poem promises rhythm and rhyme and falters I am immediately put off. Repeated spelling or grammatical errors, even in blank verse, likewise cause me to lose interest.

I also disagree that there is nothing new to write about, but do admit that most poetic fodder has already been well-chewed.

Furthermore, I think that poets should learn and master basic structures and techniques before deciding to reject them and put them down. That they haven't or won't is a major reason for the low quality of many of the submissions to Literotica. - An artist should be at least able to draw a straight line before refusing to, and most "good" ones can paint very realistically when they want. A musician must know the scales and learn his instrument before playing impromptu jazz. - More people should learn to read, look, and listen before trying to create. Just because you can get pregnant doesn't mean you should make a baby. Just because you can read doesn't mean you should write poetry.



But I acknowledge that these are my own personal views and carry no more weight than anyone else's.
With that disclaimer I will retire from the discussion and withdraw to the sidelines.

'I guess that I am on the other side from most of you."


I agree with this, I fear I differ. If we teach are kids not to create a nursery ryhme while playing or take away the finger paints till they have studied a course in this subject? I find this site has a vast amount of both learning and experienced poets. This the norm through-out the inter-net, un-less you go to a specialty site. This is not a specialty site other than EROTIC. It is an amature site filled with many practicing their passion, poetry.

I read for the feeling and subject. Words play in so many ways, so original or unusual catches an eye. As does an interesting read. And if it doesn't grab me in the first stanza then why would I expect it to later on into the poem.

I will go back to my SPACED out thnking.
TY ..........................................QUASAR *

 

[Angeline]

'I guess that I am on the other side from most of you."


I agree with this, I fear I differ. If we teach are kids not to create a nursery ryhme while playing or take away the finger paints till they have studied a course in this subject? I find this site has a vast amount of both learning and experienced poets. This the norm through-out the inter-net, un-less you go to a specialty site. This is not a specialty site other than EROTIC. It is an amature site filled with many practicing their passion, poetry.

I read for the feeling and subject. Words play in so many ways, so original or unusual catches an eye. As does an interesting read. And if it doesn't grab me in the first stanza then why would I expect it to later on into the poem.

I will go back to my SPACED out thnking.
TY ..........................................QUASAR *

Your point is well taken, but I say that writing and learning simultaneously is the way to go. I find that my reading opens up new vistas for me as a writer. Critiquing others' writing--seeing the good as well as what needs to improve in another's poem--helps crystallize my understanding of what does and doesn't work for me. And articulating my ideas makes them more real to me.

Unless I'm totally turned off by what I read, I try to keep going to the end of a poem. Some writers are wonderful at appearing to take you one place and then going somewhere very different. Kind of O Henry poetry, lol. I like the surprize--if it's done well it can make for excellent writing.

And don't you think "feeling" is another way of saying "tone"?

 

[quasar]

Your point is well taken, but I say that writing and learning simultaneously is the way to go. I find that my reading opens up new vistas for me as a writer. Critiquing others' writing--seeing the good as well as what needs to improve in another's poem--helps crystallize my understanding of what does and doesn't work for me. And articulating my ideas makes them more real to me.

Unless I'm totally turned off by what I read, I try to keep going to the end of a poem. Some writers are wonderful at appearing to take you one place and then going somewhere very different. Kind of O Henry poetry, lol. I like the surprize--if it's done well it can make for excellent writing.

And don't you think "feeling" is another way of saying "tone"?

Yes, I do too.

feelings tone setting emotion voyage journey touched absorbed and any thing that describes the souls 'TONE' ; )

although it seems the tone of the poem would set the feelings of the reader.

 

[Syndra Lynn]

Funny you should ask

Complexities of Wine and Poetry
by Syndra Lynn ©

I love the feel of
soil on my hands
sounds on my tongue
these I understand

In a vineyard,
I can diagnose Eutypa or Botrytis
Itemize sixteen nutrients
essential to Vitis

In a manuscript
I can diagnose grammar or spelling errors
punctuate, articulate,
avoid tense related horrors

With these simple tools,
I grow healthy vines
create basic writing
with some meter and rhyme

Science of viticulture
Science of language
studied and mastered
in my class, above average

But grapes are not wine
and words are not poetry
Though both are richer
mixed with proper chemistry

I have the vocabulary
but can’t describe wine
with silly descriptors
about mice and white pine

And I can’t tell you why
a certain verse feels just right
But with both wine and poetry
I KNOW WHAT I LIKE!!!

 

[Angeline]

Complexities of Wine and Poetry
by Syndra Lynn ©

I love the feel of
soil on my hands
sounds on my tongue
these I understand

In a vineyard,
I can diagnose Eutypa or Botrytis
Itemize sixteen nutrients
essential to Vitis

In a manuscript
I can diagnose grammar or spelling errors
punctuate, articulate,
avoid tense related horrors

With these simple tools,
I grow healthy vines
create basic writing
with some meter and rhyme

Science of viticulture
Science of language
studied and mastered
in my class, above average

But grapes are not wine
and words are not poetry
Though both are richer
mixed with proper chemistry

I have the vocabulary
but can’t describe wine
with silly descriptors
about mice and white pine

And I can’t tell you why
a certain verse feels just right
But with both wine and poetry
I KNOW WHAT I LIKE!!!

This is great, you editor you!

 

[sandspike]

Syn.....wine is

Pat, whiskey is Eve, I'm the beer boy. Not everyone would understand but
I did it w/o a dictionary. Nice poem I could 'dance' to, the title hooked me.
Folks don't make this harder than it is.

 

[Syndra Lynn]

No, no, no.

Pat, whiskey is Eve, I'm the beer boy. Not everyone would understand but
I did it w/o a dictionary. Nice poem I could 'dance' to, the title hooked me.
Folks don't make this harder than it is.

I studied wine making (mostly grape growing) but I majored in Jack Daniels. Straight up. Kep it in the fridge in the summer so I could drink it cold without watering it down. Smoooth!

Syn

 

[Belegon]

Poetry is very much about emotion for me. So I look for emotional impact. Not just how does it feel, but how does it make me feel. That's normally what I am looking for as a writer as well. I want to make my audience feel my emotion. I read poetry looking to get a feeling from the poet. Almost like I am searching for empathy.

Doesn't mean I can't enjoy story telling thru verse. Just what my first look is about.

 

[Remec]

I studied wine making (mostly grape growing) but I majored in Jack Daniels. Straight up. Kep it in the fridge in the summer so I could drink it cold without watering it down. Smoooth!

You let Jack sit around long enough to *get* watered down? <shaking head>

 

[impressive]

I've tried to explain why I feel the need to write poetry instead of prose, to these people and always come up slightly short, because I can't do it on their terms and they don't seem to get mine.

I'd like to write poetic prose, myself. Prose -- story/plot -- that evokes, as does a "good" poem (IMO), a visceral reaction in the reader.

To me, a poem is a minimalist story with all the punch concentrated into a few words. Any powerful poem COULD (with proper care and feeding) be nurtured into a kick ass story and vice versa. Not saying that one is better than the other for their readers typically have vastly different expectations. The crossover is very intriguing to me -- as are my own choices as to which ideas I develop into stories and which into poems.

 

[Reltne]

An old trick for the hard core drinker!

I studied wine making (mostly grape growing) but I majored in Jack Daniels. Straight up. Kep it in the fridge in the summer so I could drink it cold without watering it down. Smoooth!

Syn

That's an old martini trick that an army captain showed me many years ago.
I still keep my gin/vodka in the freezer to this day. (However you can't keep vermouth there because it will freeze.)