To criticise - Shakespeare's Monkeys

To criticise

No censure or unneeded praise
comes from a master, only roads
gone upwards. A true guide will raise,
by coaxing or at times with goads,
the seeker to an equal plain
if such exists. To crush does naught
but shrink the pool; small fish may gain
and yet that kind is always caught.
A poem only ends when we
decide to close our eyes; no page
holds everything there ought to be
if closed off minds will not engage.

Leanne Hanson -

John, I saw your comment earlier but was just on my way out the door, so I didn't have time to say anything... and you've gone and deleted it, probably thinking I was deliberately ignoring you, because you're a nutter

Originally this was just a toss-off reply to a wanker on another site (you could probably guess which) and it's possibly not going to evolve into anything more than that but I put it here to let it breathe and see if it was worth revisiting in a while. I forget the specifics of what you wrote so if you're of a mind to, I'd be grateful if you'd let me know.

Stephan Anstey -

I really like this Leanne, it's got a sort of classical air about it that appeals to me. I love the fish in the middle especially - that sort of equating of the small fish/small minded works for me, though I felt like maybe it could have been tied at the beginning/end - not sure how or even if that's a good idea, because i actually felt like the end was marvelously strong. Of course, it speaks right into my deepest insecurities and self-loathing fears.

Colleen Sperry -

"A poem only ends when we
decide to close our eyes; no page"

great lines

Derma Kaput -

I've rarely seen a poem that I could agree with more than this. Not that I really look toward agreement when I read something, but, all the same, very nice Leanne.

Leanne Hanson -

:) Sometimes being pissed off is the best inspiration.

Stephan Anstey -

You know, I know you are being funny there, and also dead serious. And it is SOOOO true. Pissed off poetry can sometimes really work.

ZiGGY -

<3 <3 <3 calling me a nutter, I just wanted to contribute given how quiet it was around here; but I know better than to think I know what I'm talking about :P

It is sad how some other sites have turned out, I would love to put up some resistance and create some general unrest but I boycotted myself from writing a long time ago xD

wish you & your family all the best and I wuv woo etc

Jennifer Ragan -

I definately need to open my eyes more often then I do.

Really great thoughts Leanne...Thanks for the wake up:)

Leanne Hanson -

Cheers Jen, glad you're still alive... though not as glad as you are, I'll bet

ZiGGY -

now I think you're deliberately ignoring me :P

if I were to guess I'd say you're completely misreading me & my intentions, but aside from purveying more pathetic pissantry I doubt there's any way for me to appease such suppositions :P

I have great admiration for you Leanne, maybe even unhealthily so xD

Be Happy,

gush gush gush etc JZ

Leanne Hanson -

Not ignoring you, John, just waiting to see how long it was before your paranoia got the better of you... you actually lasted a bit longer than I thought you would, congratulations!

Yes, it IS fun to take the piss out of the unstable.

ZiGGY -

...what? :S

Jennifer Ragan -

I'll take that cheers and cheers you back "CLINK" Yep, I'm still alive and kicking and I've missed my poetry pals

ZiGGY -

I suppose I deserve it, I know you're a good person even if you do come across as a perma-premenstrual-old-battleaxe.

I'd forgotten all those times where you'd make dry remarks about me and I just let them slide; thankyou for atleast clearly defining where I am (not) wanted :P I shall exercise more restraint in future.

Laura doom -

'equal plain' -- tee hee.