feeling 'not worthy'-FEAR

[grouchmuffin]

I have loved the poetry that has been posted here. Yet, I don't feel qualified to critique. I think...this is because I don't consider myself a poet. I'm a writer-and I think I'm a good writer, don't get me wrong. But, poet? I haven't dared stretch myself so far as to believe I'm a poet yet. I love poetry. I love to read it. Nearly EVERYTHING sounds good to me. Nearly everything moves me to some extent.

I've been writing poetry since I was in kindergarten. (The first title of the first poem I remember was "My Dead Cat Snowball"--kinda foreshadows my dark tendencies, eh?!) But--I always considered poetry as the fun stuff, and never as a serious endeavor. Now that I am starting to consider poetry as a serious endeavor, I am scared shitless (my apologies to the politically correct) and I don't know what to do with myself. I am trying to collect poetry for an anthology called Inner Gold--for survivors & thrivers of abuse. But, in November, I'm doing NANOWRIMO, which is a pledge to write a 50K novel in November. I'm also doing this for survivors & thrivers of abuse. And, this is what I've always wanted to do...so, my poetry sits on the backburner as usual. The members of my writers' group keep telling me I'm a poet too. How many people need to tell me before I believe it? Anyone else fall into this trap? My hubby calls it fear of success. I think it is just FEAR-not of any particular sort.

Anyway, if your poetry has not been critiqued by me...it is not you. It is me. I'm just not feeling worthy of standing in judgment of someone else's heart & soul.

Eternally yours, grouchy

[Ken Corbett]

Grouchy:

Don't worry if you don't wish to "critique". I'm no good at it either, I rarely have anything worth saying in response to a poem. Sometimes just a "Hi, loved it, it made me smile" or even a "read your poem, sorry it wasn't my cup of tea, a little too long" is okay, at least it shows you read the poem. Negative critique can be okay, if it is fair and you can explain why you felt this way.

As for writing poetry, it can be hard. A poet is someone who writes poetry, and really, who's to say whether it's good poetry or bad. If it comes from your heart, and you like it, then there's a good chance someone else will too. And if no one else likes it, just write for yourself. The more you write, the better you'll get, and you'll find it easier to touch a chord with other people.

I'd like to think that our little community at Mystic Muse will be glad to read your work and help nurture your talent. I've seen how poets can be hurt on other boards --- I confess I've been less than saintly at times myself -- but after a bit, we can see that the unkind critiquers can be safely ignored and they'll shrivel away before you know it. They can even make you believe more strongly in yourself and your craft, once you see through them.

I haven't written any poems for almost a year ... but I'm almost ready to start again, my muse is hovering nearby, I know.

Ken

[Elle Rush]

awww....grouch!! That is one of the beautiful things about why this site is here... NO pressure!! No pressure to write, post OR critique. I enjoy reading the poetry, I tell the Poets how their writings make me feel. Many if not most Poets & writers revise... that says to me that no one gets it perfect right out of the gate & if you have to go back to a piece again after absorbing it more, whether reading (commenting or critiquing) or writing, that is perfectly fine & even encouraged! Just grab a cup of coffee & enjoy!!

[Elle Rush]

oh, and... yea!~ to everything Ken said. He's a smart cookie... he & I have been through a lot together on other boards. We know how intimidating and even daunting it can be. His comments and advice are very right-on.

[PoetOfSerendipity]

I know grouch has already posted many poems... but I was struck by this and wanted to comment.

Hmm.. who ever KNOWS they're a poet? I didn't (LOL.. and maybe still am NOT.. hmmmm). I write what's in my heart.. in verse.. and hope that's good enough. You're probably putting added pressure on yourself because you're an accomplished writer, but hey, no one ever expanded their horizons by being safe!! The way I feel about most things like this, learning a new skill or a new sport. TRY IT... you can't lose what you never had, so at the very worst, you end up in the same spot you started.