VOTER DRIVE: 10 seconds of Fame

[daughter]

Okay, folks.

New poems are posted everyday by a diverse group of poets. Why is our Top List so static?

Will you join me in giving our peers 10 seconds of fame on the Tops Lists? Take time to vote for 3 poems by poets who aren't on the List. It only takes 10 votes and a score of at least 3.90 to hit the spotlight.

Yeah, we love the feedback. Anyone going to lie and say he doesn't also like the 10 seconds of fame? LOL

It's all good.

Peace,

daughter

 

[tigerjen]

link to the "new poems"

I just got the "new poems" link:

http://www.literotica.com/stories/new_submissions.php?type=poem

Hope this helps!

Tigerjen

 

[KillerMuffin]

Well, I went and voted. It was horribly painful. I think some people are in dire need of reading more poetry.

The good news is that I didn't vote less than a 3. A three in poetry from me means you suck ass. A 4 means it seemed pretty good. A 5 means I thought it was great. I didn't like it, I liked it, I loved it.

I feel vaguely dirty now. I shouldn't vote on poetry because I didn't like most of it. Bad punctuation, horrible line breaks, there was absolutely no flow, there was no feel for the words and the language itself, there was no feeling from the author. Hard consonants where there should be soft ones, words with the wrong connotation but the right definition slapped in there, lines shoved together uncomfortably simply for the sake of rhyme and a total lack of rhythm.

I feel really uncomfortable in a medium where I dislike most of what I read.

 

[KillerMuffin]

By the way, thanks for the link TJ, that really helped.

 

[tigerjen]

By the way, thanks for the link TJ, that really helped.

Killer....

No problem! Anytime!

TJ

 

[daughter]

Eh, did you leave meat on that carcass

Killer Muffin--

Gurl, I love your candor, but you could leave a little meat on the bone. LOL

Unfortunately, too many are too sensitive to see the validity in your observations. Friend, did you vote from the most recent offerings? If you did, please tell me what you gave a 3? I'm sorry, but everything you argued was true of today's selections. I couldn't honestly give a 3, and rather than come off as some mean wench, I'd simply pass.

Many of the standards that apply to prose apply to poetry so you are qualified to say how a poem affects you. Either use punctuation correctly or effectively abandoned it. It's one or the other. Rhythm is a reasonable expectation, and I wish somebody would tell the neophyte that rhyme isn't the only way to achieve it. I don't dislike rhyme. What I have an aversion to is trite, forced rhyme in a poem. And, gurl, that thing about sounds. Good grief! Poetry, unlike prose, is suppose to be read aloud. It does matter how words roll off the tongue. Connotations should match the intention and visuals are paramount in poetry.

It takes more than stringing words together to write good poetry. And I'm talking purely from a technical aspect because I don't want to debate with anyone about personal preference. If you bake a cake without eggs it isn't going to rise. We can agree on that, can't we?

Won't leave you hanging next time, KM. I have learned to dig for the diamonds. I scan titles. Ones that are cliche or one liners, I almost always passover unless I know the poet's work. I have found that some of the better works are by those who are not prolific on the site, and you can identify some range and style in their collections. They are also typically not popular. Hopefully, the more the larger audience reads, perhaps these unknowns will get some attention that their work warrants.

Call me a snob, but I agree that many would find they could improve their writing and range by taking time to read more poetry. Followed by writing more and studying the tools of the art, poets could greatly improved the selections.

Lastly, the next time you put yourself down, I'm going to smack the taste out of your mouth. Yah hear?

Peace,

daughter

 

[KillerMuffin]

The only one that I loved was Subliminal Seduction or some such thing a little down the new poetry page. I went through the whole thing. There was one who put a whole bunch of stuff up that I basically gave up on after the fifth poem. I gave a few fours out, enjoyed the heck otu of LilMissBlair's so I gave her a 5 but the rest... I'm not a habitual 1 voter, but if I permitted myself to give 1s in poetry, then they'd get them. What happened to pouring all of oneself into a poem? Not holding something back in fear or superiority or getting lost in pretty words that don't work?

*sighs*

 

[tigerjen]

Littlemissblair's new creation......with attitude!

I enjoyed Littlemissblair's new poem......its Christmas every
day for this "Slut with An Attitude"! The poem struts its stuff!

Read on:

link:
http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=30156

TJ

 

[WickedEve]

tenderize first

I'm sorry, but everything you argued was true of today's selections.

Daughter, is this the entire selection of new poems for the day, or just the selection of poems by poets who have not been on the list? There were about 30 new poems posted today - including one of mine. That's why I'm curious.

Gurl, I love your candor, but you could leave a little meat on the bone.

KillerMuffin, if I'm one of those poets that helped make you feel dirty, please tenderize me and put some barbeque sauce on me before tearing the meat off my bones! lol

WICKED EVE

 

[daughter]

Clarification

WE--

You know how I feel about your work. To answer your question, I was referring to the selections posted for the 26th. Might draws some heat, but each poem sorely fit at least one of KM's complaints.

Most poems I read, I can find some merit and today is no exception. Where I'm willing to stick my neck out is that I'm not shy to say what I think are flaws in a work.

Peace,

daughter

p.s. I owe you revision. Pardon the delay. My sweetie's visiting. Need I say more?

 

[WickedEve]

I just wanted to know which poems you were referring to. Thanks for answering the question.
Glad your man is visiting. Maybe a good roll in the hay will inspire some new poems. Talk about inspiration!

Wicked Eve

 

[WickedEve]

Well, I went and voted. It was horribly painful. I think some people are in dire need of reading more poetry.

The good news is that I didn't vote less than a 3. A three in poetry from me means you suck ass. A 4 means it seemed pretty good. A 5 means I thought it was great. I didn't like it, I liked it, I loved it.

I feel vaguely dirty now. I shouldn't vote on poetry because I didn't like most of it. Bad punctuation, horrible line breaks, there was absolutely no flow, there was no feel for the words and the language itself, there was no feeling from the author. Hard consonants where there should be soft ones, words with the wrong connotation but the right definition slapped in there, lines shoved together uncomfortably simply for the sake of rhyme and a total lack of rhythm.

I feel really uncomfortable in a medium where I dislike most of what I read.

KillerMuffin
I've read your post several times now. The part I underlined, where you describe some of the mistakes, I think that's very helpful. I found it beneficial to have someone point out the problems. I went online and looked up some of what you mentioned. I do try to learn more about poetry, so that I can improve. I do value hearing an honest opinion and constructive criticism.

The parts in bold, I don't see how that will help any of the poets, including me, who had new poems posted on the 26th.

WE

 

[Guest]

Did someone mention pain?

I understand your query W.E.
Often those of us who have a rudimentary insight into poetry often forget the time it took for us to aquire it.
I have an idea, lets take a look at this poem. My only hope is that your stomach is either strong or empty for this may make thee wretch.

FIX


I fought toward sleep last night, cold and shivering in the June heat.
Taught desire pushes through my veins, holding me on a fine edge.
It is an odd mix of pleasure and despair.
Enough of your touch is left from the day to calm the need,
yet to the remains of the night there is only want for more.
Seconds stand unmoving toward minutes,
who turn only at the prodding of infinity.
Anticipation breaks through to entwine with tension,
and a smile of hope is added, to put a pleasant face on desperation.
I fought this night to hold a memory kind and beckoning.
Eyes closed to steady my resolve.
A breath taken too deeply betrays desire.
With no pride, and stripped of pretense I wait for you,
for your touch,
the warmth of your soul.
The rise and fall of your chest with each impassioned breath.
Ahh there now moving through my veins
An itch...
A tingle
And there is just enough of your touch left to remind of what I am without.
A fix

Of course it is one of mine, as a mere teen I pinned this little gem and thought it quite good too. It was published and also won second prize in a state poetry contest. Once I began learning about poetry in earnest (about 1 month later) I returned the prize and pettioned to have my name changed so that I would not be associated with it.

Please Killer Muffin, Daughter, everyone! Use my early folly as an example so that future ears and eyes be saved and healed as quickly as possible. This poems has in abundence the attrocities so often seen and mentioned by myself, Daughter and KM.

But I warn you this poem is the Nosferatu, (the souless one, the undead) Despite the amount of effort you may put into it, it will only drain you. Taking the essence of your very life. Then perhaps claiming you as one of the walking dead, the Vampyre!
I suggest when your done you stake it. Then burn it. As for myself I carry the mark and it shall haunt and torment me until the end of time. Pray save yourselves!

U.P.

 

[Unmasked Poet]

Forgive the error signing in

Oh yes and for the interest of learning keep it short. Pick only one attrocity per post.

U.P.

 

[daughter]

practical help

WE--

If I'm hearing you and UP correctly, what's helpful is to point out a few errors and explain them. A few suggestions how to correct the trouble spots would be appreciated, too. A laundry list of technical problems without explanations doesn't help the poet improve.

If we keep discussions like this going, both the critic and the poet can improve. Have I told you how I have learned to give better feedback because of our ongoing dialogue? Thank you.

Just as a critic should focus on a few items at a time, I have found focusing on improving one or two areas of my writing at a time equally beneficial.

Line breaks give me the blues. I'm also keenly aware of my word choices because I have fallen into a rut of using words I am comfortable with.

To address the formatting, I'm using Mary Oliver's book, "Poetry Handbook" and I pay special attention to how accomplished writers use this device. For vocabulary, I have been reading different poets instead of my favorites. Reading alone helps in cultivating greater vocabularies and provides styles to emulate.

Peace,

daughter

 

[WickedEve]

hi daughter

I know you and UP don't have time to point out and explain every poet's mistake, but it is nice when someone points out one or two and then gives the person some suggestions on improving.

daughter, you really have come a long way with your feedback. I always look forward to it. You still tell it like it is, though. lol What I like about you is that you critique the poem - not the poet.

 

[daughter]

critique the poem

daughter, you really have come a long way with your feedback. I always look forward to it. You still tell it like it is, though. lol What I like about you is that you critique the poem - not the poet. [/B][/QUOTE]


WE--

Thank you. It is gratifying to hear I'm improving. It seems if you're new to writing poetry, it's more helpful to tackle a few issues at a time. Taking the time to give feedback is helpful to me, too. It's helped me see areas where I can improve.

Peace,

daughter