Simplicity versus Intelligence in Poetry writing

Some of my poems, you may know Bob, are very complex in nature. One, in particular, "A Melodious Failure" was criticised severely because of its complex vocabulary and diction. But, I had a purpose when writing that poem, so I care not for the harsh criticism. I reckon, if people simply write dictionary poems for the sake of showing off, with no intention on mind, those are the most unsuccessful poems. Overly simplistic poems with purpose may also be successful, but only when there is an intention behind the simplicity. For instance, adopting a simplistic tone for discussing an important matter may show irony. But, again, when done unintentionally and with little effect, those poems are futile.

In short, simplicity or complexity, when managed craftfully can be excellent tools. Otherwise, they are just too useless (the latter is for showing off, the former arises from lack of understanding of language.)

Well Bob, thank you for noticing that I am one of the ones with choppy work lately ... lol

Actually I prefer the simple easy flowing poems over the dictionary poem. The simple ones are just that simple and easy to understand. They are more from the heart instead of the mind and do not leave the reader running to google or yahoo (since there is internet no one picks up a dictionary anymore lol) to find the meaning of every other word just to understandn one stanza....

Oh listen to me
would you please
i keep rambling
over nothing

lol ... sorry I rambled on, but you now have my answer....

later guys and God Bless

--Sher

I think I agree...some people get carried away with trying to sound smart...but in the end only ruin what they're trying to say. Simplicity is not always a bad thing. I have ventured out and used new words in some of my poems....I hope I am not describing something I have done personally...

Hey.....

much rather the simple poems then the dictionary ones

because although the other poems seem more intellectual, poems are't good poems without flow for me

I'm definately more likely to add a flowing poem to my favs then one that has fancy words that doesnt flow onto the next line(s)

Dictionary poems have fancy words, but simple poems have a much greater hidden meaning.

Emma

Well, I don't really have my mind made up on the matter... It's hard for me to do that. I like the dictionary ones, because, well I am not capable of those lol. My vocabulary seems so down in the gutter these days that it makes me sad to think I ever stopped reading; thus reading other people's poems that have bigger more complicated words to think about - is something that inspires me, and teaches me. However, I like the flow and rhythm of a simple poem, one which I can see the meaning and feel the emotion...Without having to think about what the title itself means lol.

It's the singer not the song, that makes the music groove along.

I think the who sang that.

I'm with Bob on this one. If people are using amazingly complex language, but saying nothing of importance, then who cares..with the exception of mensa?

All great poets, in writing themseleves, write their time...write about what it means to be alive in that time...and if you aren't doing that, writing something meaningful and honest...then you'll get no attention from me personally.

It depends on the mood I am in . I believe a true poet writes from the heart. I agree that not everyone has the same vocabulary, so I try to be as open minded as possible. that is.. I feel it would be arrogant of me to say that a poem had no meaning because I did not take the time to find it, Sometimes I don't want to take time so I generally prefer common words

^ agreed

Right on Chris...write from the heart and if there is room for the head and it makes sense, is true to the poem....go for it.

I like a mixture of both myself. I like poems that flow and at the same time show that the writer has a good grasp on the language. I love any poem that leaves me feeling something by the end of it, whether it be sadness, anger, desire...any emotion. But I hate reading poems that are overly simple or overly complex.

But I get really frustrated when I can't understand what the poet is trying to say. That annoys me.