It's how you write...NOT what you're writing about...

I don't understand why some people on this site judge poetry not based on the skills of the poet, but based on the views of the poet. Whether you agree with the "poem" or not, is not what you should be critiquing. I mean relate to the poem, like the poem, but some people are so quick to judge here...

For example...Just because someone is writing about smoking marijuana and you think people who smoke marijuana are stupid and blah blah blah...although the poem itself is written very well....SOME PEOPLE WILL STILL CONSIDER IT A BAD POEM!

i feel u, im on ur side

Sometimes what you write about shows your skill more than how you write does, and shows that you are a new (immature) writer. The more writing you do you will think of better things to write about, or strive for: things that leave a lasting impression upon people, things that hopefully stay around forever.

i can see what you mean but some topics are better and offer more scope for poetry writing than others, so I think it matters what you write about, but I agree that people shouldn't judge a poem badly just because the person has written about something they disagree with. I, for one am a non-christian, but when i read poems about christianity I look at the skill used in writing the poem, even thought I may not agree with what is being said.

I think you are right people write in there own way.

I feel yu`. I agreee man. I been judged b y how much skill I got -- Not like err`body here is a freaking pro at poetry or somethin``.

" When you hear a poet say how much he or she dislikes writing in form, remember that a great artist sees the opportunities in every canvas, regardless of shape or size. A poor artist sees only the limitations."

I agree. People are just stupid. That's the only conclusion that I can come to.

I agree that it's not what you write but how you write it.Sure, it helps to have a meaning or point or an emotion.But any subject can be written poetically if you do it right.It don't matter if you are saying something trivial, if it is worded right it is poetry and can have meaning.Never sacrifice emotion/meaning for words though-anyone can use big words/obscure words but it can come out emotionless and meaningless.I've seen many writers use obscure/academic words and the poems may be good form wise but basically the emotion and meaning is lost.I like to be somewhat abstract/obscure, leaving the meaning of the poem open to many interpretations(like a painting), though sometimes I've found that simple and direct works best.Whether about society's faults, religion, smoking weed or drinking(Bukowski, Jim Carroll & Jim Morrison wrote many such related poems), philosophies, your dog or cat, falling in love or the mysteries of life, it just depends how you express it.Emotion is important.As is belief in your words and sincerity and honesty.Sometimes the more personal and detailed you are the more universal the poem is.It is surprising how many others can relate to things you think only unique to yourself.We all write for many reasons, mostly for ourselves, but when you can touch the hearts and minds of others-ahhh, there is nothing more satisfying.Write from the heart (and mind) and you can never go wrong.

Peace, Poetry & Power,

Gary Jurechka

^^^Agreed

first of all...whatever is in this life...a good poet can write about...everything in life is worth writing about...who are you to say what topic to stick to or not to...POETRY HAS NO TOPIC! It's about ones life...ones experiences...people dont sit and go..."HMMMM Tonight the topic is love..let me write about love.." They come, they sit, and write about whatever is affecting them the most at the moment...whether it's parents, friends, love, depression....etc...whatever.

And to "Cory" Mr. PoetryPro going around calling others an amateur...Next time you read something...RE-read it...it's obvious things have to be passed by your brain a couple of times before the facts start to process....I was talking about whether a poem is great or bad or whatever...Ignorant people like you only comment on what's being written about...and forget about whether the poem itself was good or not..."No I don't agree with abortion, marijuana, etc. so I'm gonna tell this person their poem sucks, its bad" And people like you go off and start judging the topic!! You aint God mothafucka...don't be judging me!

yes, that is exactly what I did. I judged you. I called you an amatuer and all that stuff. Sure whatever. Get mad. Be angry. Swear at me. Tell me what I did and what I didn't do.

But just so you, bittersw33t, know, the you is not talking about you. My fault. I shouldn't have written in second person; it does make writing confusing at times. The you refers to writers in general. Sorry for the mix-up.

To the post before the one where bittersw33t was angry at me. Yes, many people do sit there and think to themselves, oh what is the topic I should be writing about tonight. Not all writing comes from personal experiences. An aweful lot comes from history. If you study the old playwrights (greek and medieval) you will see that they are actually basing their plays off history, not personal experience. What Shakespeare and Sophocles and so forth were good at doing is taking a well known historical story or folktale and showing it in a different light, with witches and prophecies and other such. There is a much bigger spectrum to write about than just about one's self.

All I was offering was a different look than yours. Some readers read only for what the substance of the poem is, not how it is written. That is what seperates those people who are placed in anthologies and those who are left out.

You misunderstood me, I never said you have to write from personal experience...I just mean you can't expect just because "love" for example might be the most popular topic, for everyone to write about love just so their poetry is appreciated...What I was saying is people write about whatever they're interested in...whatever, for better lack of words, whatever floats their boat....That's all...I don't think that all poetry is from a poet's life!! A lot of my poems aren't from my past experiences...so obviously you misunderstood me...

Well the concept of the poem can be a determining factor if you like it or not but ...you shouldn't judge a poem completely by that...and to say that someone is a amatuer....that is uncalled for in all actuality you are the amatuer for seeing limitations...if these people feel as though they can write about anything they arent amatuer...they are a damn poet you shouldn't limit yourself

it shows more skill if you can take a basic concept or something and still make it into a good poem that where the skill comes in its not what you choose to write about...it can be something as simple as walking a dog down the street and back if a poet puts it into good words flow etc it is a good poem regardless of what the topic is

ye, i agree. its the skill, not the subject that matters. its like the issue of abortion round here, any poems about this are usually down rated by people who have had one, regardless of the skill of the poet.

^^^I agree with the both of you completely...

Bump

i agree with u all

i agree with u all

exactly. like homosexuals. write about who they love. you may be opposed to such things but there's no need to criticize that and people who do that are narrow minded and shud keep it 2 themselves if they think that. :)
♥ jigaboo ♥