What are you doing to encourage the young or beginning poets on Y!A?

Although amateur myself, if I see younger poets on Yahoo, I do my best to give advice where I can, although I'm not one to give great advice as my poetry isn't exactly works of art themselves.

As for learning from more experienced poets, I prefer when instead of just 'putting down' my work, they will give me tips and hints on how to improve, or even offer suggestions and lines I could fix. It helps me when I've wrote poetry of my own to look at it and do a bit of the editing myself before posting it up onto Yahoo. And to all those poets who have helped me, including yourself Peter - I am very thankful for all the help I've received.

I am assuming I am considered to be one of the younger poets. First off, I receive encouragement and real advice from only a select few on here. I know opinions will differ, but I would like more constructive criticism instead of "it was awesome" or "it wasn't good." I would also like the experienced poet who is reading it to actually read it, not just skim through it very quickly and then decide what to say. I, and once again opinions may differ, would like to have actually read some of the pieces that this "experienced" poet has written to know that they actually do have experience or at least know what they're talking about. As far as learning the craft of it, I would say have the experienced poet give examples from other poems or give examples of different elements of poems that they themselves can think of.

I am not young - age wise. In fact I am middle aged (ick). Well now I have read that Michael considers himself middle aged at 25! At 45 I am just now beginning to want poetry. I have always been curious about Art with words. I am an educated visual artist but because of some factors I cannot be prolific anymore - therefore I would love to turn to words.

But who would have thought it is so complicated? I mean just this morning I was astonished by the suggestion that one poem was lacking because of "beats per line "!

I realize that poetry as an Art is just as difficult, if not more so, than any other Art - but Christ(!)

this is very intimidating!

This would help me - when someone posts a poem and asks for criticism perhaps state what someone should look for - what concerns the poet - i.e. rhyme scheme. form, lack of?

I honestly just go by what something makes me feel and all of these technicalities are confusing!

Thank you for asking. I am always a bit eggshell footed when in the poetry section. (Bull in a China Shop) - lol.

I guess I am the young poet, at age 13 I have no room to critique anyone... People critique me. The reason why I post my poetry in the first place is to learn. Of course, when I first started and didn't use answers, My poems were close to nothing. But now that I use answers, I'm blossoming. I just read the people of older ages poetry, and I expect them to tell me what I'm doing wrong. And why it's wrong.. I haven't met any one younger then me so far on here, and til the day I do, I wont be able to personally >Help< anyone. I mean really, who wants to listen to a 13 year old?

As you very well know my limitations and I am not in the mood to broadcast them let me say that, although I have been writing poetry as long as I can remember, I never let anyone much read it until 2-3 years ago, when I started exposing myself to the scrutiny on YAP

I do not usually try to critique anyones work, for my own reasons, but if I react to it I tend to write a poem to respond or as a knee jerk reaction. I have done this for the entire time I have been here on this site,

I would like to teach new poets no matter how young or old they are, that there is always room for improvement, and by exposing them to my on the spot writing inspire them to do the same, I have posted different types of poems I have written and challenged my readers to give it a try, even if I do not particularly like the format I think that trying all different types is good for someone as an exercise if nothing else.

complete and specific? surely you jest?

I cannot be complete, as I am an unfinished project, and specific? well, lets just say, I TRIED>?

Good question Peter, and with some experience here I'll share my views.

I'm young

I'm impassioned to write.

I'm naive about the formality and often stated "rules"

I'm OK with that however in hoping whoever responds

Won't always just say "Yowee, great" (Oh wait Yowee is my word)

But more I hope people who answer will help me relate

To growing, improving and even expanding my range,

Even if what I post is sometimes strange.

I don't think I totally lack talent and sure never lack inspiration

But the "nay sayers" do have an effect on what I offer, in my dedication

Sometimes with nothing constructive as they visit but don't stay.

I find it disturbing when people critisize with nothing to say

Beyond "Poo that stinks"

As I, left hanging, remain confused and compassion sinks.

Not all can be inborn poets in any sense

But I've seen some inbred critics here who in their defense

Find joy in every attack, as they might assume to be good at the craft,

And to some of them, I merely laugh

But some lack the notion that they might actually help others improve.

I'm just here, tryin to explore my 'groove'.

In answer to your question Peter, I am probably not doing enough. However, just because I write poetry, I don't consider myself as being suitably qualified to offer much in the way of useful critique. I know what I like, what I don't like and if I see anyone promising, I have in the past brought them to your attention. There is a great deal of difference between writing poetry and being able to influence a younger person's style of writing, which I would not wish to do. I am no teacher and I will leave that to the experts. As a late-comer to poetry (well to this forum) I still consider myself a learner, albeit a lot older than many.

I'd like to think just writing poetry, but to be honest, I don't think it's good enough to inspire.

I think helping them along and giving critique is helping them to aspire to improve their poetry skills and I think this site among others (having a poetry section) really helps people with it.

Ok specific, the one that calls her "a poetic storm" she has posted poetry on here for a few months, and at the start we gave her critique to help her along and now she rights quite nice poetry and regularly comments on my poems and others as well so I think that is an example of how we as the poetry section have encouraged a young one!

Also I guess I could be an example being only 19, I was encouraged by Cassie to improve my poetry after she saw a poem on my profile, and so I did and I would like to think I am accepted here if not forgiven, I write poems usually about one a day on here, people give critique and I'd like to think I improve because of it.

I try to post a positive answer. Since I am still a student of poetry, I do not consider myself qualified enough to give technical evaluations. I therefore try to encourage or to see the good side of his work rather than point out errors or give out critique that might embarrass him (or me). If the error is glaring and I need to really get his attention, I either do it by email or post a gentle answer. This does not entirely apply to the older and elite poets though. With them, it's on a case to case basis.

I am one of those who have been helped.

there are at least 5 different poets who have extended a hand.

my work is starting to improve,

from one helping me with meter

one with amount of words

some with the thought process

and some suggesting reading material,I now have.

one thing I have brought to the table is a great amount of imagination,

I figure in a couple of years I'll at least reached a level of understanding,that will translate into nice works,for my imagination has never had any boundaries and I wish to thank all for their time,their kindness and patience,I will say this I am not young in years but truly young in poetry and like other things in my life I enjoy the struggle to reach the height of my limits,thank all of you and thank you Peter for your encouragement.