Poetry and Age

I hate the fact that age seems to make such a big difference on this site sometimes.
I hate the fact that if someone's poem is FILLED, overflowing, with spelling errors and grammer errors and honestly stuff that's just laziness, people will say"you're pretty young, though, so that's okay...". It just makes me really angry sometimes, how people think that if someone's younger, it's an excuse.
I also hate how people will read poems and really like them. But then they find out the age of the poet, say he was thirteen, and suddenly the outlook on him is totally changed. Not in a good way, but in a bad way.

I agree with you. I don't know if anyone has thought that way about my poetry, but I know how it feels to be judged because of your age.

As a 13 year old I know what you mean by people changing their view on my poems. I'm not saying they're great but it doesn't mean that my poems aren't good.
Some times though younger poets are going to make mistakes because they simply don't know the propper grammar and spelling. This is why I think older poets shouldn't change their opinions or just say that we're young but correct our mistakes, otherwise we won't ever learn.

Pip xxx

I read plenty of good poets who were thirteen and fourteen.

Speaking of grammar, you can't always judge that by age. I know a lot of older people who don't know how to spell or proper grammar. I'm not talking about anybody specific, but it's true.

I agree with Anna. That statement cuts both ways. Us older writers aren't given a fair shot because of our age. Young people are either intimidated by us or don't think we know anything. I started writing when I was quite young and so I like to read poetry from young writers just starting out. They put alot of feeling into their work because that's what they have to work with. I would never begrudge someone their God given right to feel or self-expression.

Age and poetry shouldnt be compared! Simple as. Poetry is open to everyone and to mock or judge poems over the poets age isnt what poetry is about. I think anyone who can write poetry is very talented and should keep it up no matter what others think!

Human Angel

i agree... just becausse of an age.. doesnt mwan you can not wirte poems

Age doesn't matter.I started writing when I was ten years old(fiction) and then got into poetry in my teens.My early stuff was really terible and sucked, but the more you write the better you get.So don't be too harsh on yourself, you will grow and get better.I was very isolated when I first wrote, the fact that you are on this site is a positive thing.I've read some very impressive stuff by 10 to 15 year olds, so much more advanced and better tyhan I was at that age.Listen to those with experience yet find your own way.Your work will improve.All that matters is the passion to write.And write, write, write.That is the only way to get better.The passion.

Peace, Poetry, & Power,

Gary Jurechka

I SO AGREE. I'm 14 and I've had a lot of respect and compliments on my poems, however, once someone knows my age they just ignore my poetry.

I'm 16 and love poetry. I also started a discussion under this subject (see writing poems) and many people said that age does not matter. But seriously, if you're going to write poetry, at least learn how to spell or people aren't going to take you seriously. Earn respect and that's what you'll get.

Dont judge a book by its cover

Im 62 and I love to read the poems presented by the youngsters on P&Q they are to be congratulated for their input and anyone who downgrades them because of their age is a Moron

I think it is only ignorant people who down grade teenagers for their poetry because they are jelous as they probably don't have a lot of talent!

poetry is all about feelings, not age.
when i'm 70 i can feel like a 18 years old, nothing wrong with that. and a 14 years old can think like an adult.
so age does not matter.i been writing poems since i was like 9 and i shall do it until i die.

in responce to Catherine:
I totally understand that.The spelling thing...I mean also it annoys me that we have a SPELL CHECK for god's sake and still people are apologizing (or just not...) for their crappy spelling.
But that respect is often not shown, even if grammer and spelling is correct, because of age.And I hate that.

In response to Goran:
how right you are.
oh, but a twelve year old can think like an adult.

>.< It depends on the person, I think. *shrug* I've read some poetry from both you'd consider young and old. Some were lovely, some were annoying. It's just an opinion.

I agree with you in most but as far as respect is concerned "But that respect is often not shown,"
It doesnt matter what age you are respect has to earned and is not a birthgive right because of age after all the real hannibal the cannibal was 59 years old when he commited his final beastiul act do you respect him???? Lol
Regsrds
john

I have read some very good poetry by some young writers on here. I think some are child prodigies.

ya i know an AMAZING poet and shes only 14...i was like...OMG ur 14 i added her to my msn and i saw a pic of her and im like...holy crap...u actually r 14...i never believed her because i was sooo impressed and if u want to read her stuff go to umm...here http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/author.html?id=222136

i forgot to say about mine :P

umm i had a class in grade 7 on poetry(section of our english class) and we had to write a poem and it had to have all of the senses(sight,smell,hearing,touch,taste) and i think that was my first poem ever and i really liked it i wrote about the war...im going to ask my parents if they know where that stuff is(its like 5-6 years old so i dunno) but i never got back into it until grade 9 when i had a crush on this girl and she was all i wrote about(we never ended up goin out tho lol)...and it was absolutely horrible and its a laugh to look back at how awful they were with her cuz shes a great poet too....and its also fun to look back at now cuz our writing styles(or atleast mine) have changes SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much...and i think im a decent writer now(nothing special but alright) cuz like...i went from strictly love poems now i write like...suicidal/death/dark poems...im not suicidal or anything but like...if something could change so quickly and drastically about me i think that would be it

but anyways...umm that was like...15 mins of my life and probably like 5 of urs so umm im just gonna shut up now...oh umm check out my stuff if u like =)