Reply To: Why I write poetry?

[Susan Katz]

I congratulate you on a very emotional poem that has some wonderful moments in it. 

“The pen writes words,
And the paper attends scenes.”

“The quill bleeds each day…”

“And read the feelings,
From those metaphoric signs.”

If I were to critique your poem, what I would say is – you tell us too much and show us too little.  You have a fine sense of imagery and a strong commitment to the emotional message of the poem.  As my first mentor used to tell me, choose the very best moments in your poem, the best images – and bring the whole poem up to that level.  I would also say that there is much that is said and then re-said – not the job of poetry to repeat itself.  Just tell us once, with an image we will never forget – and then move on to the next component of your poem.  I think you will discover you have some great poetry waiting inside of you, to be written.  Thank you so much for sharing – keep on writing and do share with me again, when you are ready.  Your friend in poetry, Susan