Over on WEE, I’ve tried to get back to reviewing a couple of poems most days, but I constantly wonder if it’s worth it. What am I accomplishing? I can burn myself out, and for what? Does reviewing add something positive to the general state of the poetry world even if the review ends up negative? Is a negative review worth more or less than a positive one? Do I drag down or build up poetry by approaching it with the intent to speak?
It’s Friday, so I offer a challenge. Publically review at least one published poem every weekday next week. Then talk about the experience. Does it change the way you read? Is it a good change or a bad one? Does speaking publicly make you more negative or more positive? Do you fear hurting feelings? Did you read poems you wouldn’t have read otherwise? Is there a benefit to the exercise? Do you want to continue?
It’s the MINI POetry Review Challenge: MINIPORC. Please participate. Let’s talk reviews.
i love reading WEE, and the link to grapez is also really good. i reviewed a poem at my blog and will give it a try this week, but the truth is – i’d rather YOU did it.
smile
Thanks, Sarah. A try is all I ask for. You’re a trouper.
I think the idea of “approaching [poetry] with an intent to speak” is really crucial, and if posting brief reviews–positive or negative–fosters that approach, then it is always–always–a good thing for poetry.
And on a purely selfish note, it was pretty incredible to run across a two-sentence lauding of a No Tell poem of mine a few months back. Thanks.
This is an interesting challege, because I find rather that I have a difficult time approaching a poem without the intent to critique. In other words, not reading after certain codified, academic guidelines. The vast majority of poetry I read online is disappointing and as much as I believe in transformative poetry, I find most of it too personal or superficially emotional to be interesting. As a social tool, poetry is amazing for linking people with common heartaches, loves and experiences. That’s a different way to read poetry than I’m used to.