Site-Wide Comment Activity: All Authors | PostPoems

Site-Wide Comment Activity: All Authors


Starward commented on: Advice To Adolescent Poets, When Your Own Resources Do Not Seem Sufficient by S74rw4rd-13d 2 years 42 weeks* ago* Thank you for your comment,: Thank you for your comment, and for responding point by point---what you have written is instructive to anyone else who reads the poem. When I read djtj's adolescent poems that she shared with us on PostPoems, I felt ashamed of myself for failing to have her level of maturity when I, too, had been that age. I did not protect my poems, or defend them from loss. Djtj's example also reminded me of the example of the great Greek Poet, Comstantine Cavafy, who maintained a modest apartment in Alexandria, Egypt where he worked for the British colonial authority as a clerk in the Department of Irrigation. One whole room of the already small residence was devoted to his manuscripts (he mostly self published by making copies of his poems, binding them in clips or folders, and giving them to a select circle of friends and acquaintances). He was smart enough to retain his early poems, even though he was mostly ashamed of them. But I did not become familiar with his work until well into my adult years, so his example was not available to me at the time I needed it. As I thought of djtj's example, I decided to admit my early folly and write it down so that it might (I pray, sincerely) be of use to some adolescent, like I once was, who is a little overwhelmed by what this thing called being a Poet really is. I am sorry that I did not really realize these things until I was past middle age. But it makes sense within the pattern of my life---as I am always a day late and a dollar short on most things. I am very, very glad that God cares for the eleventh hour folks as much as for the first hour folks, because I seemed to have built my entire existence on the eleventh hour. Thanks again for the comment. [ go to comment ]
crypticbard commented on: lift by redbrick 2 years 42 weeks* ago* Patricia is blessed with all: Patricia is blessed with all around versatility. And thank youi for your input which is always welcome and always coveted. [ go to comment ]
crypticbard commented on: lift by redbrick 2 years 42 weeks* ago* This is quite humbling to: This is quite humbling to receive and I am most grateful for such kind words. [ go to comment ]
crypticbard commented on: Advice To Adolescent Poets, When Your Own Resources Do Not Seem Sufficient by S74rw4rd-13d 2 years 42 weeks* ago* Of these I have of many been: Of these I have of many been remiss - 1 - failed. Hardly any of my 'juvenalia' has been preserved 2 - ever streamlining the process, the mountain of revisions, drafts and prior amendments have also been done away with 3 - mixed bag of tricks that still needs to be improved 4 - began doing this after the fact but a large portion of the archive was destroyed by natural disaster 5 - easier said than done, but doable 6 - no skin off my nose 7 - there is so much work to do on my own thinking to be bothered by others 8 - ah yes 9 - the curriculum is ongoing and expanding 10 - this is very much like driving under the influence and for one I am glad it isn't a physical thoroughfare for fear of mishaps on the highway. [ go to comment ]
crypticbard commented on: summer breeze by redbrick 2 years 42 weeks* ago* Indeed, this is quite a: Indeed, this is quite a delicate form and like weaving or sewing with very fine material, quite a daunting task in the least. Your feedback brings me back to the atelier moment where things are in creative flux, a truly humbling portion of the journey of artistic production. Thank you so much. [ go to comment ]
patriciajj commented on: Somewhere in Italy Final Destination Ending by djtj 2 years 42 weeks* ago* I could see this fabulous: I could see this fabulous ending play out in my mind and I wanted to applaud. Your exceptional ability to craft, with impressive brevity, characters with gravity and believability and scenes that showcase our humanity as well as theirs, brought it all into focus. Engaging, endearing, brilliant. Truly, this is worth cheering for. Bravo! [ go to comment ]
patriciajj commented on: Advice To Adolescent Poets, When Your Own Resources Do Not Seem Sufficient by S74rw4rd-13d 2 years 42 weeks* ago* This is one incalculable: This is one incalculable gift, a condensed handbook, actually, that contains a complete spectrum of success strategies for young writers who hopefully won't have to repeat some of the mistakes I personally made. These valuable tips (that can make the difference between despair and perseverance) aren't limited to nuts and bolts information because, as we now know, it takes more than textbook knowledge to overcome all the roadblocks, trainwrecks and discouragement that buffet any creative individual. With empathy and reassurance, you gave future poets extremely valuable emotional tools to overcome the self-doubt and inhibitions that are like creative steel traps: they can stop inspiration before it has a chance to even formulate an idea. If I could whisper in the ear of my younger self I would say all of these things, especially #5-#7, and I would certainly have more poems under my belt. #2 would have prevented the disaster of losing every poem I wrote before 1990 as well as your own personal loss before the days of computers. (Awesome titles, by the way.) This golden key to literary achievement, especially if shared with young, impressionable minds, could be expounded upon and made into a book. I'm seeing it. But I certainly understand why you want to concentrate on building your poetic palace right here, now. I'm so glad you gave a shout out to djtj, an example of poetic ingenuity everyone here should read. My humble gratitude for your enduring support, even in this premium collection of life-altering tips. May it be a treasured guiding light to many. [ go to comment ]
ramonathompsont commented on: Playing A Dangerous Game by ramonathompsont 2 years 42 weeks* ago* Thank you so much. I am well: Thank you so much. I am well pleased that this one turned out so very well [ go to comment ]
ramonathompsont commented on: Lou and Sue by Teytonon 2 years 42 weeks* ago* cute : cute [ go to comment ]
Starward commented on: WHO'S THE BEST by mil57man 2 years 43 weeks* ago* I have been reading Poetry: I have been reading Poetry for fifty years as of last month. I cannot remember ever seeing a poem formatted this way. And I applaud the testimony you have given here. [ go to comment ]
Starward commented on: Three Short Poems by djtj 2 years 43 weeks* ago* Gladly, and thanks to you for: Gladly, and thanks to you for posting your adolescent poems, and for setting an example that I really wished I had seen before 1978. [ go to comment ]
djtj commented on: Three Short Poems by djtj 2 years 43 weeks* ago* Lovers: And lovers don't decide what you've "outgrown". I'm heading now to read you poem. Thanks for the acknowledgement and poem. Advice To Adolescent Poets, When Your Own Resources Do Not Seem Sufficient. [ go to comment ]
Starward commented on: + 1ST POEMS: What They Talk About Around The Water Cooler by S74rw4rd-13d 2 years 43 weeks* ago* Thank you so much for your: Thank you so much for your kind comment. Your words are always important to me. [ go to comment ]
crypticbard commented on: + 1ST POEMS: What They Talk About Around The Water Cooler by S74rw4rd-13d 2 years 43 weeks* ago* It is indeed a privilege to: It is indeed a privilege to share in the enjoyment of this poem. I am so glad to hear that you "had a lot of fun writing this poem!" It is also my belief that it is among your best ones. I have often desired to enquire of the learned astronomers myself! [ go to comment ]
Starward commented on: Three Short Poems by djtj 2 years 43 weeks* ago* In my teen years, I wrote: In my teen years, I wrote several poems, also. I wish they had been as good as yours are here, and I wish I had been as smart as you obviously were then---to save my early poems as you saved yours. There ought to be a book of advice written for young poets: save everything . . . discard nothing . . . clip multiple drafts of any poem together . . . invest in folders---many, many folders. [ go to comment ]