Will you look at all of the questions in the poetry section that have NO ANSWERS?!?

I already am doing that; there are several talented young writers here, diamonds in the rough, and I have several of them in my network and respond at length to their poems. I suggest corrections, teach general principles, make them aware of useful books for writers of poetry, and encourage them. One went so far as to say, with the joyous hyperbole of youth, that I should answer all of the questions in this section. Oy! I should live so long. I am here as a teacher. I could post more poems, because I am writing three or four for every one I put up here, but what's the point? If questions are already going unanswered, why would I want to distract community members from more noble pursuits. That being said, there is a half-truth lurking in Ian's response: we cannot give what we don't have. If you have devoted no time to learning poetry as a craft, what have you to teach? I separate myself out from people who think that poetry is exclusively 'bleeding on the page.' No, poetry is the perfect marriage of heightened intellect and deep emotion. But what book is there for that? How do you teach that? There must be something there to begin with -- raw materials to work with -- and your student must be eager to learn. For these people, whether young or merely young at heart, I have only respect. If you want to read better poetry here, you must do something beyond wishing; you must give of yourself. That is why I found the poets of Mars so disgusting while they were here. They said they cared about the future of poetry and then it all dissolved in a clannish free-for-all. If I do not do exactly as I'm doing, I'm no better.... and that is unacceptable.

I do read the work of young poets, but although I write poetry I am not schooled in offering good critique. There are very few who can do that well. In the past, if I think a youngster has talent I either star the work hoping it will attract those more able to look at it, or in a few circumstances have actually contacted Peter direct. More often than not he is already aware of them.

YAP is a place to share poetry. Poetry is quite obviously different things for different people. I'm very sorry to hear about you losing your young dog. If there really is a God, then I bet He has a special place in His heart just for dogs. Surely they have plenty of character and spirit to get them to heaven.

My responses are usually not helpful and it takes people a while to know me before they stop VIOLATING ME.

Does anybody remember my rocky start with Seaman? Even time2rhyme still thinks I hate him or something. I am very selective these days in whom I bear my underbelly to. Too much drama.

[Also, I read about 10 for every one I comment on, so Zero may not actually mean zero it may just mean self-restraint.]

Good morning, Lovechild. I do, from time to time, read poetry from the young poets. But, I find I only reply if I truly feel the person has written something worth reading. The young poets that truly show promise usually draw a following. I like your positive attitude in encouraging young writers. I agree that it is worth taking the time to do.

I look at questions

it's hard to know what is

"genuine,"

and what would BE skipped

just like you or I

IT TAKES MORE

then just once

and after 1 year

of consistence

here I still don't

always fit here

with almost one yr in

well i used to answer all the poetry questions. i used to pay a lot of time in re-forming them but i observed that no one is in favor of my recommendations and mostly on one likes my recommendations so i left commenting much on them and i just read and if i like i say i like it and mostly i say i like it as i know what every is said, said for the sack of goodness and feelings.

um not dishearten i thought my English might be not at that level so that could be reason that people don't accept my recommendations if its so taken why i sped much time on re-forming them and so i read only and rate them only but if you want me to re-form your poems i would like to do that for you

Zahid

I purposely seek questions with no answers as they are usually more challenging. Answering this question was atypical for me.

I know what you mean, I personally am irked whenever some kid asks us to do their homework for them, however there are plenty of others who genuinely want help and advice as well. I will try my best to reach out to those just setting out on their poetic journeys. Thanks.

Most of them are mince and should not be encouraged. True poets will persevere against all odds - the majority of folk who post on this site are posers or simply killing time.

As for those deluded enough to think they have something to offer in the way of teaching - you can't give what you don't have.