I’ve been toying with posting this for a while, but I was unsure if I wanted to continue the debate.
But, here it is, is there too much poetry being made?
So many people argue that poetry is dead, that no one is reading poetry. Etc etc etc. And yet, I am constantly bombarded with new chapbooks, full length books, literary magazines and the occasional request to do a blurb or a book review or to just read, read, read and critique for someone.
Poetry is not dead. It is everywhere.
Sure, maybe only poets are the ones reading each other, but poetry is definitely still alive. But, is she well?
I have run into far too many poets who don’t actually read poetry, who rush to publication anywhere that will take them (hey I was 19 onces and wanting to do the same) and who think that anything they write down is golden ( meaning they will not revise etc).
See, this is my judgment against some who want to be in the world of poetry.
- I have a hard time calling anyone a poet who doesn’t actually read poetry.
- Revision is at the heart of writing. Sure, there may be the rare poem that jumps – fully formed – from your Zeus-like head but that is RARE.
- I know we can’t read every online or buy every print lit mag publication that is out there but before you send your work at least TRY to get a glimpse of what they publish instead of being disappointed when you don’t get in or do get in but don’t like the results (been there done that!)
- The world of poetry is not quid pro quo. If you volunteer to do a review for someone don’t expect them to do one for you. Sure it is nice if they do but poetry karma does not have to beget poetry karma. Review, blurb, critique because you want to be part of the community not out of obligation.
- Don’t forget the joy of words which is what, most likely, brought you to the pen in the first place.
Ok so that was a little bit of a mini-rant but I have been wanting to do it for a while.
And below I’ll post my 11-6 PAD/NaNoWriMo poem. Having a bit of a hard time keeping with my theme. I have so many other ideas that popped into my head last night. I wrote them down but I really want to see this through. It is never good to give up on a project too early. I’ve learned that. Give it a chance. One bad poem does not mean it is all over!
Have a great Sunday everyone and in the spirit of my yoga poems – Namaste.
[and poem is gone!]
Life is the longest journey. Take your friends along and get 
I think the idea of poet is far more exciting and appealing to people than the actual work of a poet. You can blame that on a lot of things but the truth is that pretty much everyone is capable of being a published poet these days. I don’t know if that says anything about the quality of small press but I don’t think accessibility is really a bad thing. The ability to wade through the bog and to find what you think are the true gems is the real gift, being able to distingish what you dig and stand by it and not be swayed by flattery and favours or celebrity is how we all stay a float.
Because, ultimately it ISN’T about getting published, it is about creating work that you love and that makes you proud. It is about saying what you feel you need to say.
Mindy – this is such a perfect reply! You are right, so many people see poetry as this mysterious thing that they could do and so easily publish. And, I don’t want to be mean about self-publishing and putting your work out there but there is something to be said for a certain level of discretion . . .
I absolutely love what you say about wading through to find the gems! I am going to have to think of it as I go through my reading this week
One of the big differences I think between people who want to be poets (maybe for romantic reasons or reality show like desire for some sense of celebrity) and just are is this idea of you just write like Marcie Hershman said “It is a myth that writers write what they know. We write what it is that we need to know.”
You’ve made me feel better!
This post made me laugh a little, because lately I have been thinking about how everyone wants to be a writer. I mean, I can’t actually think of a group of people in my life that doesn’t include a few would-be authors, and this excludes my writing/MFA friends, because obviously… But many of them don’t read, or read only the classics, as if great literature came and went decades ago. I’m finding that I have little interest in talking about writing with people who don’t read often and widely, and those people seem to be a rarer breed than aspiring writers alone.
Margaret – I can see so many of us laughing in frustration! So many people see glamor in writing. They think if they put out the next “Twilight” book then they are going to make millions of dollars. Everyone dreams of easy cash.
I am right there with you. I don’t look down my nose at people who want to write genre fiction or anything but if you don’t actually know any books to talk about except for best sellers I do start to wonder. Why do you want to write?
I think I’m just feeling overwhelmed by the number of people trying to get published. I could give so many stories but I’m afraid some of those people might find this blog!!!
A poet is not a person who writes what he/she knows so that others can know it, too but rather a person who writes in search of a truth that he/she knows is fleeting.
A poet may desire publication but knows that quality of his/her poems do not depend on it.
A poet uses words to create beauty (truth) not wealth.
A poet loves language not finished poems. A poet learns to love revision.
A mature poet knows there is no easy money coming but writes because writing takes him/her to a place he/she wants to be. A poet likes that (private) place more than the stage on which he/she reads.
A poet is not any more logical than anyone else.
Helen I think you wrote a manifesto!
That’s a question I’ve posed to myself time and again, not just with poetry but with all forms of literature. Are we just expressing the same things over and over again? Are we suffering from an overload of works? I think that some of the points that you made are key for judging how serious the intent is, especially whether a ‘writer’ reads and engages in other people’s works.
This isn’t to say that everyone can’t benefit from writing for themselves. I’m a proponent of everyone trying their hand at writing in some form or fashion to get their thoughts down on paper in order to understand what’s going on within their own head better, writing as therapy. However, there’s a big difference between someone randomly trying their hand at writing a poem and someone being recognized as a poet.
Unfortunately, we are in a time where many people suffer under delusions of maximum accumulation of wealth and fame with minimal effort. Some falsely see writing as a way to achieve those ‘get rich/famous quick’ goals without realizing just how difficult it is not just to craft one’s art but also to get published and establish oneself. It’s not just as simple as sitting down, scribbling down a poem and getting it published by a top magazine.
I always end up thinking that the problem isn’t that there’s too much (or too little) writing out there. It’s just the challenge of our age to find the gems amidst the multitude and for committed writers to find ways to make their work shine. It’s all about identifying pieces that will stand the test of time because they express something unique, a truth that can be understood and helps others to understand. While it can be frustrating at times, it can also be part of the fun of writing and reading.
I couldn’t have said this better Jerry.
It has started me thinking about thinning my herds of books, especially the poetry section. My fiction and non-fiction books are only what I love (and if I had the time) would read again so I am starting to wonder if it would be better for me to honor the work I love by getting rid of all the work that just seems mediocre?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this!
The written word is supposed to make you feel something. If it doesn’t, no amount of revision will fix that little problem. I only write what I know and I live what I need to know. Of course this is just my own personal path from the cradle to the grave.
There are two types of writers.
1. People who want to be famous and/or rich. They write for ego and to fulfill their need for self importance. The shelves of bookstores are inundated with them. A feeling of inadequacy can be one hell of an ambition feeder.
2. People who feel the need to express their feelings. This type of writing is real. It may not always be stylistically correct or academically accepted, but it is inspired and this is where the talent is. Considering many of these writers live on the fringe of not only the publishing industry but also society, many self publish. There is much to be said for the artist who hasn’t been infected with institutional thinking. A rebellious intellect is the only fertile ground for originality.
Val – I agree with you wholeheartedly that the written word should make you feel something. I think that is why I have problems with so much “stuff” I’ve read recently – via traditional publishing and self-publishing – it just seems . . . FLAT.
Am I a rebel without a clause?
LOL I dub you knight of puns. I agree with you. The real culprit is the short attention span of the general population. We have dumbed waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down. Truthfully? People have become mentally lazy and over stimulated by visuals. This is a very bad combination. All areas of the arts have been affected and it feels like we are at the tail end of a sort of creative dark age. Only good things are on the horizon and usually this takes place when people have less money to spend and thus demand quality.
I have to admit that I have even developed issues with short attention span. So many people are writing longer poems these days, but if there isn’t something intriguing about what the poet is doing I tend to give up mid way through!
Yes, I have already noticed people wanting more for their “money” so to speak. Hopefully they will also want more for their literary time
I think there is the same amount of poetry as there always has been. It’s just easier to see now.
Rebecca
Rebecca I think you make a really good point there! I think
that is why I often feel overwhelmed, at times, because so much is suggested to me read, and there is so much I just want to read that it is hard to decide what to actual…well read
too much poetry = no such thing
yoga = lame. or at least, you’re not alone if you tried it, wanted to love it, and did not.
glad there is not too much poetry!
i have a love hate relationship with yoga, perhaps that is why i just had to write about it
Ha I am so glad I found your site! Reading comments as well as the commentary is just as much fun for me…okay, no Poetry was dormant I believe, but that is why I started Cultural Art Expression- Open Mic in Princeton NJ. To get those dormant ‘of substance’ poets off their living room sofas and in front of my mic.
I am guilty of not producing for years, but had my personal reasons, but now I am… Sure there are poetry groups dotted about, but they are primarily for getting feedback, and yes Borders host readings. I have to say it, most of those who attend are over one hundred (exaggerated a bit), but most think of themselves as literate know it alls, when their are poets that write from deep within, and do not need to reach into deep wells of vocabulary to get a point across.
Maybe that is a bit harsh, but economics has dominated the poetry field, at least in this area, and I am trying to show other artists like myself that if you have talent for spoken word; it needs to be heard in the voice it was meant.
Not sure what area of the country you are in, but I would love to know if you attend Open Mics, and I also have harsh views on Slams which started when I was on the poetry scene in Dallas, an do not consider them legit venues for beginner poets. Intimidating they can be…
I would love for you to check out my site, I have writing dotted about my blogs…Thanks, and I have also passed your site onto other writer friends of mine…
Poets are wordsmiths, that paint a picture…
I’m in Charlotte, NC. I go to two Open Mics in the area. There are some slam and spoken word events but I haven’t really been to them.
I do have your site on my list of items I hope to get to! I also took a long absence from writing but now that you have it back don’t let it go!