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Poetry is a chore.

Well it can be and sort of always is.
Marshall McLuhan described various media in terms of temperature. It seems counter-intuitive at first because he calls TV cold and literature hot. What he is referring to is individual engagement.

TV is cold because the viewer is passive, a victim, images streamed straight to a barely active brain. Literature is hot because one has to actively read it, use ones imagination.

In these terms poetry is scalding, burning hot! Writing poetry is consuming, often leaving little behind but a pile of ashes, from which a phoenix almost always arises.

Be really honest here. Who else finds reading poetry hard work? It is to me and the only hard work I willingly engage in. I took on two new protégés recently and found I just couldn't hack the pace. My apologies to both of you, you know who you are. I love your work, "it's me, not you" [chuckles].

Reading and giving critique is really hard work. And it is almost as rewarding as writing. It is the hard work aspect that represents why Neopoet is constantly struggling to get you lazy, egocentric fucks to give a fuck... no, I mean struggling to encourage you to find the pleasure zone from giving real, useful, honest critique. It's a bit like the the endorphin buzz from extreme exercise, even a bit like cocaine at its best.

"Critique, don’t comment."
https://www.neopoet.com/community-guidelines

avagoyamugs!
cheers

Comments

Poetry is a bit of a chore, but which is the hard bit writing or reading.
I find reading is the hardest bit, but only because of forms and structures proper poetic use, counting syllables, checking for ABCD's
I envy you sometimes young man where you have this knowledge packed in your brain and where it use to be second nature..
You have made some great points in this piece, I wish that the ones that know of poetry, would take part more in the critique, and in general do they not understand that if they use their knowledge then many others would be able to read and understand their works..
Thank you for all the work you put in on Neopoet, they should have an honours board or something for those that contribute the most over a period of time and I mean useful contributions.
I stand outside of that poetic group, as I usually only comment on the themes of poetry most times.
Take care young Man and know that it is great to walk with you here .. Yours Ian ..

.
Give critique to help keep Neopoet great.
Unconditional love to you all.
"Learn to love yourself first"
Yours as always, Ian.T, Sparrow, and Yenti

I am honoured by being allowed to stay here when I so often lose my temper and say Bad Things.

Nothing in my life has been so rewarding as my work here. And thank you for appreciating it.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

You are more qualified than most because of you knowledge of the site, your passion and commitment, and especially your ability to use email [grins].

Will you consider standing this time?

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

mugs? hmm

raj (sublime_ocean)

Is an encouragement to all, inclusive as a bunch of mutual versifying mugs, rather than disparaging.
Goodness gracious me, Raj, us Aussies use abuse as a form of endearment all the time, you silly bugger.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Neopoet

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Home»Blogs»weirdelf's blog
"Poetry is a chore
Well it can be and sort of always is.
Marshall McLuhan described various media in terms of temperature. It seems counter-intuitive at first because he calls TV cold and literature hot. What he is referring to is individual engagement.

TV is cold because the viewer is passive, a victim, images streamed straight to a barely active brain. Literature is hot because one has to actively read it, use ones imagination." ( Jess)

very good analysis I really like your blog very on target
have a nice day.

Mario Vitale

I have amended some of the nasty things I've said about you in other comments but there are three things you must understand that really get me quite cross.

- Posting comments on peoples poems that you have clearly copy&pasted from elsewhere without even reading the poem is a dreadful insult, lazy and against everything Neopoet stands for.

- If you post poems that no-one comments on there is something wrong with the poems, not the readers. Many people post frequently but still get feedback, even bad feedback on bad poems, because they do their best to offer constructive feedback to others. If you think your poetry is perfect, Neopoet is not the place, this is a workshop. If you don't care if no-one reads it, DON'T POST IT. Your poems outnumber others on the 'uncommented' list 3 to 1.

- evangelising is offensive, it is a kind of attempted spiritual rape. Much, much worse is being offensive and derogatory to people of different faiths. This doesn't bother me particularly as I have no faith. Yet your religious arrogance is the type that leads to religious wars and smallpox infected blankets. It is wrong.

You have not, so far, contravened the Neopoet guidelines (much) but your insularity to critique, your obliviousness to critique and feedback and your evangelising make you a less than valuable member.

Finally, your blog regarding my offensive comments. The appropriate course of action would be to report them to the AC (currently IRiz, AC Chair, Geezer and themoonman). I may be a managing director but no-one is exempt and actions would have been taken. I have a temper, I can be rude,blunt and offensive but nonetheless I have been sacked from positions and suspended repeatedly. I have only been allowed back because I do give good, constructive critique and I work very hard for Neopoet, contributing however I can.
Jess

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment
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