Welcome to Gaia! ::

Before I get to the poem, I have to ask: Why are you being so aggressive towards me and Restraining Order Blues? I went back and read her comments, and they didn't consist of anything remotely similar to "I've gotta be freaking patient to read your crappy poem..." The words "crappy poem" were never uttered. Please, stop twisting our words.

Frankly, I'm hesitant to even comment {much less give full-blown constructive criticism} to this poem simply based on your reaction to a simple suggestion of reading other famous poems and general advice about any poetry. I said nothing negative about the specific poem. When someone comments or critiques a poem, they're commenting on the poem -- not the author.

Do you want to improve, or are these poems more of a creative outlet? If the latter is the case, then make that known upfront. Tell readers you're just sharing and not to bother with critiques. It's fine; people do it all the time. If you do want to improve, though, then you need to separate yourself from your poetry and not get defensive whenever someone makes a suggestion or asks a question. You can't assume that people know what you mean when you say "patient poem."

{Frankly, your little introduction here reads like a, "Gosh! What idiots to not realize that Patient means Mental Asylum Patient! Aren't those two people jerks?" It's hurtful that you assume Restraining Order Blues and I are these mean people who thought your first poem was "crap." By the way, I'd like to point out that that word was never mentioned in the other thread.}

That's great! I'll do my best to read through the poems by next week or so. A collective is useful to have if only for the reason that all your poems will be in one place. This way you won't have to go searching for them in the future if you want to read any. wink

Real quick: Remarks like the one in bold are why I assume you had such a hostile attitude. I tell you that you did a good job, yet your response is borderline passive aggressive -- even rude. The eye roll especially makes it come off that way. I'm not saying you are doing this purposefully, though. :}

Now, if I end up not liking any of your poems, then who cares? Keep writing. I'm just one person. Heck! I don't like some of my poems. I recently made an entire collective of old poems I found that I'm not too keen on. {I think it's on the second page by now...the "Origins" thread.} Anyway, my point is that you shouldn't be writing for the appeasement of others. When someone gives a suggestion or comment for a poem {e.g., This line is cliché}, don't think about what'll make them like it. Think about what change you can make to make you like it even more. If I'm not making any since, I apologize. sweatdrop
Basically, who cares if I don't like your poems?

I really think you should check out Have Your Pi's A Guide to the Art of Poetry. It's a valuable resource.

Good luck! :}

Ah! I see -- no problem!