Working It All Out; Phase 2: Anonymous Thoughts

Now normally I pay anonymous comments no heed. Or very little. It’s my opinion that they originate from sorry passive aggressive personalities and that those with such conditions deserve our compassion. But little attention.

But the other day, some anonymous soul came by and pointed out that a particular criticism of a specific poem was nothing but vitriol, and that he/she was sure that my poetry could use some of the same. Which is a bit of an inconsistency I suppose, but I have to admit it made me think about my recent practice.

Now first, I’d like to state categorically to all three of you reading this that I HAVE been criticized in such a manner. In fact, worse. And it threw me into a tailspin for quite some time. But I believe I was better for it in the long run.

And I do have faith in the power of constructive criticism, which I still think must practice a little gentle destruction here and there at times. And there is too little of that these days in this scratch-your back and you-scratch-mine world. Tough love? Maybe.

But I’m not sure if what I had been doing would qualify. Because truth be told, it’s mostly the business of poetry I really want to criticize. Or business, period. Or poetry the past several centuries. For that’s the real disease. And these many (not all) poor poems written by well-meaning but mostly self-deluded poets (including myself of course) are merely the symptoms.

So, Anonymous, wherever and whomever you are, thank you for your misguided comment that hit a completely different mark than I’m sure you had intended. And really, my friend, next time state your name. No one cares that much who you are.

And there’s really no need to be ashamed of honest feelings. But mostly, stand by your word. Even if you decide, after some thought, to delete it. Like I did with those recent shows.