Poetry People - Conversation on Poets

Jayne:

As a reader,  my demands are and should be multiple and relentlessly so, I want to know that what I'm reading is worth the thought I am going to invest, but the poetry market is flooded with writers who seem, to me, to resent the cherishable fact of good, relentless taste.

Now, let the entire choir sing THAT tune! There's not doubt about it, that's so exactly what I wished I said. I expend ridiculous amounts of effort trying to put layers into my poetry that I suspect no one notices or cares about -- but, as a reader, that's what i look for -- depth.

Of course, the question as to whether I'm a regular reader or not must be asked as well. And I suspect I'm not. First of all, i'm awful at connecting other people's metaphors. Interpretting is my weakest area. I'm often so ashamed of this, I refrain from commenting on wonderful poems, for fear of proving my idiocy. (not a good trait to have as someone running a writer's community!)

• stephan