Poetry People - Conversation on Poets

to sum up - I agree, disagree, concur, consider politely all the above points - and still stubornly cling to my right to voice my own (which may or may not be unique)

I do agree with Leanne about writing for yourself, if I write to please anyone else and lose my honesty, I don't care what people think of it, it's crap. Perhaps so many people are full of self-delusional crap that the poetry they produce is sincere and honest (terrifying thought).

Poetry's problem, I think, is a lack of effective marketing. I personally attempt to convert at least 2 people a day to poetry by going door to door and asking people "can I talk to you about Franz Wright? Neruda? Gwendolyn Brooks? (sometimes I can even get to Mary Oliver before the door hits my nose). 

What I DO think, is poetry should be experienced and not interpreted to point of symbolic dissection.  The pressure to "get" a poem can turn people away. Art, in paint or pen I don't think needs to be understood on an intellectual level (at least not exclusively) I think it's purpose is to evoke emotion, that can be unique to each person. This can occur with or without the 'intellectual' experience.  This is how we end up with 'cultural snobs' .  I enjoy a huge variety of poetry, and don't have the intellect to 'comprehend' most of it 'properly' and am as happy as a clam about that.

Enough said - you'll all be sick of me soon at this rate!