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John Savage's avatar

That cool red ant hanging on the wall is fantastic.

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CK's avatar

I agree, I’m like that too. I don’t like most poems I read. But it’s well worth it when I find that one that sparks something in me

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John Krajicek's avatar

Wait a second. You don't like 99 of 100 poems you read? I find this hard to believe. Sounds like hyperbole to me. What percentage of Diane Seuss's poems? Elizabeth Bishop's? Yusef Komunyakaa's? Frank Stanford's? Everette Maddox's? Billy Collins's? etc.

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James McWilliams's avatar

Two thoughts. The first is that just because I am indifferent about a poem does not mean it’s not a great poem. The very related second is that we should all go out there and read whatever we want to read, reacting however want to react, knowing that searching is never a waste of time. In fact, it’s the searching that makes the discovery so worthwhile.

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John Krajicek's avatar

agree and agree

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James McWilliams's avatar

Hi, John: In a world rife with bombast and distortion, we here at P.I.L.L work hard to avoid hyperbole. That said, "don't like" might sound extreme, even if it does include "indifferent," which would definitely have been a better word choice. Of course my "like" rate would be much higher for the exceptional poets you note, but they are the exceptions that, in light of the broader expanse of published poetry, prove the rule. So, upon reflection, I stand by it: 1/100.

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John Krajicek's avatar

Yeah, I suppose if our universe is ALL published poetry, I'd likely be with you, or at least 9/10. But there is SO MUCH great poetry out there, man, and by contemporary poets, that I want to say let's not waste time on 80% of what gets published.

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illgottengaines's avatar

Sad dad music!!

And I always enjoy seeing the stamps make an appearance.

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James McWilliams's avatar

I’m a 56-year old man who co-wrestled two children into young adulthood. What’d you expect, Madonna?😉

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illgottengaines's avatar

No complaints here! Aren't we all sad dads at heart?

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