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[BardmasterUB05]

Get off your profiles
With idle time upon
Stop to learn the critique
Read every manual
For six months
Refuse to express
Though not in critique
Digest like like no other
The toil of learning
Then arrive at the table
To feast upon dreaded
Straight lines
Feast...feast...feast

[constantine]

it kills me when people refuse to comment on anyone's work. and what kills me even more is when they get uptight that people aren't commenting on work  of their own. i think the two might be connected - you get what you give.

[BardmasterUB05]

Certainly, it's all about learning . get a books, learning how to critique a poems. some shouldn't again post until they've done that job first . what premise are they using to write poetry. allow it to enhance your voice . spend several months going to the library, book stores, Baltimore Book Fest, take as much money as you can afford , and by every book insight from the fast , incredible bargains , then hit the stands , see what's new , and buy every book you can, leave broke, but with several 100 pounds of books, if you don't have money ask if they will take consignment , mail them the check on a later date . and take out every known book on the art of the critique. Keep writing poetry and occasionally refer back to that stuff . it is the built-in responsibility of every poet, writer. don't let anybody waste your time . The largest untapped area in poetry is the review, this is where, I believe, the future lies. Lots of opportunity, an open artistic pallet awaiting us, and loot!!!

[dannen]

got it!

[BardmasterUB05]

At one's leisure, I'm practicing my van halen right now. Oh, shit, I forgot...write til' it hurts! Sounds sexual!

[BardmasterUB05]

Oh, Dannen, something I learned years ago from a lovely poetry teacher , you never "disect", "analyze", a poem , this is not rocket science. That's it I'm done. Have fun...the word.

[dannen]

Thank you Bard. When it isn't  fun any more I won't be doing it.

[BardmasterUB05]

My pleasure Dannen. Never let ideology spoil your fun. Most ideologues are terribly misguided, and rotten writers. Waste of time.

[BardmasterUB05]

it is an art form that is strong in tradition, with a huge history , with values and rules, always open for adventure and change,  it is sort of like what happens in golf ,it's an honor system. normally don't have a set of judges standing over top of you , if it takes you 4 strokes ,write it down. a good rule of thumb. it's part of an honor system, to comment on about 5 or even more poems, before you post your own ,and don't whip it with the one word comment ,it would be better if you didn't even say anything at all. the art of the critique is so important going forward in this art, for all. this is where I think the greatest opportunity presents itself. Two areas to lose yourself: bookfairs-attend every, p sure to scope as their website too long before they happen, get there early ,bring money ,go to the used book collection first, then take your time and hit every booth, plan ahead, budget your money all on the way , pick their brains , that's why they are there 2 vs present there working and to answer questions , you will be hugely surprised. then attend every writers conference , reserve your entire weekend for this , since they usually run for several days . Here is the rub: readings? tim and professionalism from the organizers ,that they arrive at least an hour before everyone else ,are dressed appropriately ,not showing up in a sweat suit or anything close to that looking like they had just gotten off the track , that they just didn't wake up 15 minutes before ,and I did they do provide food make sure it is set out way in advance ,not taking out the chocolate chip cookies midway through the first presenters poem, and a at the very least they have enough chairs ,and most importantly ,easily accessible water for all, and not to cram people into 1 area like a bunch of sardines . demand professionalism at all times by these people .if they violated 1 time then you know they are amateurs ,and don't waste time with them again . Accessible to people with disabilities, wheelchairs, hearing impaired,vision impaired, the aged- just an awareness that maybe people will beyond  your own circle maybe attending this event

[BardmasterUB05]

Demand they raise the professionalism in this art!