Let’s start with the premise that anyone, anybody can write poetry. There is a poet in every one of us. Surely some poets are more accomplished than others. Some are more recognized for their work more widely than others. That’s not to say poets who are recognizable are always better poets than others who may be less recognizable. Sometimes they are. Sometimes they are not.
Is there bad poetry? Sure. There has to be. Some poetry is average and some above and below depending on who the judge is. Some think Dr. Seuss is a poetic genius. Some don’t like Ralph Waldo Emerson and yet find Kendric Lamar stimulating.
Answer this question. Who is your favorite poet? I believe the best poets will say that they themselves are their favorite poet. Think about that. You toil and toll and spin and edit a piece of poetic work that very likely means more to you than it will to almost anyone else ever. It’s like kids. Your favorite kids are usually your own.
What I can tell you about poetry is this: If you like your poetry, if love your poetry, that is a beautiful thing. Certainly, there can exist a poetic piece of yours that you hate, that others love and vice versa. It happens. I believe the definition of poetry starts inside your own head and heart. Call yourself a poet. Write poetry that you like and some you don’t like. Get it out. Get it down. Turn the page and keep repeating this process.
Eventually you should arrive at a place where you can tell people that YOU are your favorite poet. I believe Maya Angelou is pretty spectacular, but she doesn’t move me quite the way Van Allen does. I am my biggest fan. I hope you are yours.
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