To 😍 or not to 😍

[Angeline]

I'm having an emoji crisis and I've decided to call a moratorium on them for poems. For me.

Why? I feel like my reasons for hitting Like or Love are mixed. It might be because I like or love the poem, but it also might be because I like the writer or I'm having a great day and feeling generous. Who knows? In short, I don't trust my motives and that makes me uncomfortable. Before the emoji options were available we had comments. If we wanted to express our feelings about a poem we commented or gave feedback. I want to get back to that.

Again this is just my choice. I still love that everyone is here, participating. I love that lurkers turn into posters and new users join in and write. Obviously that has kept me here a long time. And I understand that lots of people find the emojis convenient, a quick easy way to express their appreciation. So y'all do you and I'ma do me. And leave you with a .



Feel free to comment, share, ignore, ridicule as you see fit!

 

[42BelowsBack]

Why? I feel like my reasons for hitting Like or Love are mixed. It might be because I like or love the poem, but it also might be because I like the writer or I'm having a great day and feeling generous. Who knows? In short, I don't trust my motives and that makes me uncomfortable.

EXACTLY.

Other problems (mine) with emoji’s include, they retard communication like actual feedback.

MwahaahaaMwhaahaa Don't shoot!

My First World emoji Problems continue: I also dislike the limited range of emoji’s Lit currently provides. A couple more to broaden the pallet please.

How about one of these I would love a flying fist or a and Feedback worthy.

Somedays, I feel like recommending the following emoji remedies: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ, the Glock 19, and the Sig Sauer P365. All suitable for smaller non emoji loving hands.

(And I uncool admit to liking receiving emoji’s).


THE BIG question: Which is worse, not receiving an emoji or receiving a misleading emoji?

 

[Angeline]

EXACTLY.

Other problems (mine) with emoji’s include, they retard communication like actual feedback.

MwahaahaaMwhaahaa Don't shoot!

My First World emoji Problems continue: I also dislike the limited range of emoji’s Lit currently provides. A couple more to broaden the pallet please.

How about one of these I would love a flying fist or a and Feedback worthy.

Somedays, I feel like recommending the following emoji remedies: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ, the Glock 19, and the Sig Sauer P365. All suitable for smaller non emoji loving hands.

(And I uncool admit to liking receiving emoji’s).


THE BIG question: Which is worse, not receiving an emoji or receiving a misleading emoji?

Most Lit problems are first-world problems.

I want to get back to actual feedback. There are problems though, the main ones being that most people (in my experience here) either don't want it, only want praise, or won't reciprocate. Some poets here are wonderful with commenting constructively. Butters gives excellent feedback as does Tzara. Both of them make comments that are specific and clarify that it's just what they think.

We've had workshop threads over the years but they usually die on the vine for lack of interest. I wouldn't mind doing a challenge where we can rework old poems (and get feedback) to improve them but I doubt it would generate much interest.

I lol'd at your alternate emojis. I once went to a training workshop for my job where we couldn't comment negatively but were encouraged to throw Nerf balls instead. All I could think was can't we just use our fists?

 

[42BelowsBack]

Most Lit problems are first-world problems.

I want to get back to actual feedback. There are problems though, the main ones being that most people (in my experience here) either don't want it, only want praise, or won't reciprocate. Some poets here are wonderful with commenting constructively. Butters gives excellent feedback as does Tzara. Both of them make comments that are specific and clarify that it's just what they think.

We've had workshop threads over the years but they usually die on the vine for lack of interest. I wouldn't mind doing a challenge where we can rework old poems (and get feedback) to improve them but I doubt it would generate much interest.

I lol'd at your alternate emojis. I once went to a training workshop for my job where we couldn't comment negatively but were encouraged to throw Nerf balls instead. All I could think was can't we just use our fists?

I understand and accept what you are signaling and why. Still I want to emoji your reply

I am into real exchange of ideas. Readers often see what we don’t.

So. Well. Anyone interested in being in a mini Lit poetry workshop? Next year. Recommend limit to 4-6 spaces. Ideally three to four Nerf balls welcome.

1) Everyone write a poem focusing on a particular aspect of the craft. ✍
(1.1) Write a poem: no ing word’s / adjectives / adverbs.
(1.2) Write a metaphor, simile free poem: describe an inanimate object that describes the narrator.
(1.3) Using an agreed to short story template, write a poem.
(1.4) Combine (1.1), (1.2), & (1.3) to write your poem for final feedback.

2) Give feedback on each others’ poems.
(2.1) Have fun ignoring feedback.
(2.2) Have fun rewriting poem with feedback in mind.
3) Post your pre feedback poems on Lit and after feedback poems (or not).
(3.1) OR: For the super stars, submit to a non Lit dedicated poetry publication / site for rejection.
(3.2) You could submit to the New Yorker. Nothing ventured…nothing lost.

4) Start your own chap book on sub-stack etc

Many have been published in reputable publications. Learning to write through rejection is the journey.

 

[Angeline]

Ok I'll do it!

I do however have questions. Are 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 separate poems that we then combine in 1.4? I'm not sure if that would work for me, mainly the 1.4 part. Maybe the parameters can be negotiable. (See? I'm not completely opposed to emojis: I just don't want to use them to evaluate poems anymore.)

I like that 2.1 and 2.2 offer choice. But do I have to have fun? Maybe I want to agonize over revising. Lol.

I've already been rejected by New Yorker (ignored actually to be more precise) and many other fine publications.

I think your Substack idea is brilliant.

 

[42BelowsBack]

I forgot.

(4.1) No asking questions. lol
(4.2) ignore 4.1
(4.3) The usual as close as you get rule applies. The poem always takes precedence.

So. Yes. Separate poems that you drawn ‘elements’ from to write a poem.

While I’m going on about it. No matter how hard we try. Feedback actually works in reverse. When we give feedback, it’s a self commentary on what we can see, what we like, where we are in our personal understanding etc. But no one will ever tell you that. So agonize awayyyy…

 

[Ash999]

I'm having an emoji crisis and I've decided to call a moratorium on them for poems. For me.

Why? I feel like my reasons for hitting Like or Love are mixed. It might be because I like or love the poem, but it also might be because I like the writer or I'm having a great day and feeling generous. Who knows? In short, I don't trust my motives and that makes me uncomfortable. Before the emoji options were available we had comments. If we wanted to express our feelings about a poem we commented or gave feedback. I want to get back to that.

Again this is just my choice. I still love that everyone is here, participating. I love that lurkers turn into posters and new users join in and write. Obviously that has kept me here a long time. And I understand that lots of people find the emojis convenient, a quick easy way to express their appreciation. So y'all do you and I'ma do me. And leave you with a .



Feel free to comment, share, ignore, ridicule as you see fit!

Angie,
I am an emotional beast and my feelings towards the Poet override my objective views/perspective about his/her's poetry.....so yes my emojis will and does deduct from honest feedback in my specific case but as you have put it : U do U and I will do me!!!?

 

[Angeline]

Angie,
I am an emotional beast and my feelings towards the Poet override my objective views/perspective about his/her's poetry.....so yes my emojis will and does deduct from honest feedback in my specific case but as you have put it : U do U and I will do me!!!?

Of course! I like who you are Ash and my feelings about emojis pertain to me using them to rate poems, not anyone else. The only reason I even started a thread about it was that I didn't want anyone to think it reflected on them or what they write. For me the only "emoji" alternative would be to give a to everyone because I do love that people post their poems here. I love that this weird little forum gives me a space to connect with others who are drawn to express themselves with poetry. But of course I don't actually love every poem I read here, including my own lol, so I figure if a poem really gets to me I'll comment on it.

 

[Ash999]

Of course! I like who you are Ash and my feelings about emojis pertain to me using them to rate poems, not anyone else. The only reason I even started a thread about it was that I didn't want anyone to think it reflected on them or what they write. For me the only "emoji" alternative would be to give a to everyone because I do love that people post their poems here. I love that this weird little forum gives me a space to connect with others who are drawn to express themselves with poetry. But of course I don't actually love every poem I read here, including my own lol, so I figure if a poem really gets to me I'll comment on it.

Luv U too , Angie!!!

 

[SpermFactory]

Awww get a room already Yah gotta love poets

I LOVE EMOJI’S