Do you think that some of the folk that say hey great poem I like that ,you have talent LOL blah blah blah?

I think 'Doc Watson' offers the most astute observations here. 'Teenage angst' is by far the commonest theme offered, and frequently in a form that affects to be poetic without understanding exactly what poetic language is. Sometimes, it's evident that what the writer wants is praise, not a critique. One person asked for critical comment, and I and another person responded with similar observations concerning structure and content and language. The 'best answer' was given to the reviewer whose sole comment was "I liked it."

Another person posted a poem inviting critical comment. When I gave it, he took umbrage, and told me I "hadn't read it properly". Well, I had. It was simply not a good poem. I no longer respond to this person's offerings.

If I respond to an invitation for criticism, it certainly isn't with the aim of seeking a ten point 'best answer' reward. That's perhaps more easily achieved by writing glowing fake appreciations that massage the ego.

Some of the submissions, however clunkily they may be written, do have a germ of poetic interest, and if there's something there worth working on, I usually think it worth offering comments. Even if they appear negative, they're intended to be constructive. And now and again, a genuinely pleasing piece appears.

One has to remember, too, that it does take a little bit of guts to offer a piece of writing to an open forum for criticism, and there are far worse things that some people could be getting up to than writing poetry, so whatever criticism I have to offer, I applaud those who make the effort for doing so. There may be many mistakes, but the man who never made a mistake, never made anything.

Most of what is posted here is by amateurs, beginners who are still in high school, or by younger adults going through some painful period in their life who chose poetry as a way to help deal with it.

Of course most of it isn't very good. Few early writing efforts are. And most of these will never make the effort to become true, accomplished poets. I will offer help and encouragement to those who seem to take the craft seriously and want to better themselves as writers. The rest I simply don't respond to.

What I find interesting is that these same fledgling poets lower the bar for themselves and others by too easily praising each other. But I understand that this is just another aspect of human nature and everyone needs some positive reinforcement in their lives.

Don't be a snob. If you think you're writing is so much better there are many other forums, like Live Journal, where the verse is much more polished, much more accomplished and thought trough. Of course, they'll also let you know right away if you're not nearly as good as you think you are.

If I think there's genuine quality or real potential in the poem, then I'll offer a comment. It's good to praise people, especially those who realise just how difficult it is to write a decent poem. My adverse comments are usually given with the best of intentions.

Most of the facile trash I ignore, unless it's so arrogantly bad that I feel the perpetrator needs a kick up the backside for wasting our time. Not that this sort of person will pay any attention to adverse criticism, but you have to try...

Edit: just a reminder to all poetry critics (and that includes myself): assessments, just like the poems being assessed, may be insightful and worth reading, or of indifferent quality, or insensitively useless.

You have to use your discretion in these cases. Some people might be trying flattery to win a Best Answer but they could also just appreciate what you have written. To gauge whether they are being honest in their praise, perhaps you could see if in their answer they have found and understood the meaning of your poem? If an answerer is just being flattering, it could indicate they aren't sincere. Just an idea.

i do think so

i hate those guys that just answer two words like: ok,,,,,,good,,,,,nice work

you kinda don't believe them...they just want their points as to get to the next level

if someone is really interested in your poem he at least should make a comment, suggestion, give an idea

pity few who do this are out there

the whole point of posting your poems is the constructive critic

Yes, some people may be looking for an easy 10 but there are lots more who give honest answers. I've posted two poems recently. Some gave thumbs up, others thumbs down and yet more offered suggestions.

lol! I wanna know what you think of my latest =) I WANT YOUR HONEST ANSWER...lol!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuaER...

1

Poetry Is Like Art, You Either like it or you don't. I admit some on here have been Awful,but others have been good.At least give thumbs up for Effort on there part.[ not to me,the poets.]

Yes, either that or much like the British Music industry, most of the rappers are crap but people like crap.

Most of the poem are awful, so you can understand yourself.