tongue in cheek serious question

[hiderinthebutterbox]

`````

[Nature's heartbeat]

Hi hider, guess I could see myself doing everything except "doubt your creative ability and swear to never write again" and

"become diva-ish and demand the right to have your poem understood in the way you intended". I'm not sure about the last alternative, though I could probably think it if I felt I needed to comfort myself a bit.

Otherwise for me it all depends whether people are looking for understanding my poems in the way I intended when I wrote them or not. If they ask me directly if their interpretation was what I wanted to convey, then yes, I might respond with my thoughts behind the poem. I would probably also spend some time thinking about their interpretation, and wonder if I had been too vague or used too many unusual/technical words since my message didn't come across, and if I could change it somehow to facilitate the reading. But sometimes other people's thoughts are refreshing and makes you look at your own writing from a different perspective, which can be humbling but help you improve your writing skills.

Sometimes though I am too lazy to respond to people's comments to my poems, and I guess that most of the time I just write and post as an outlet for emotions rather than for someone else to come share the same emotions and interpret things in the way I was at the time of writing...If someone else gets something out of them too, that's good, if not, that's fine too and I'm here to learn and still not sure if I consider myself a poet (feel that I know too little about meters and styles and classical works, and this...and that...) so bring it on...If people's comments are a bit vague, then I'll probably ask them to clarify.

I've only been upset on here once from a comment on a poem of mine. It made me cry because of its scientifically dissecting coldness, but then I took it to heart and thought about it, and it actually - because it contained constructive remarks - resulted in the poem being expanded and turned into something better, so I'm thankful... :)

[tsu-bastet]

erm..i think all of the above if i am honest!! lol!
and on some poems more than others maybe..
(there are one or two which are very personal to me)
however i think most of what i write is pretty simple and self evident so maybe that doesnt happen so much with my pieces lol!..and also i think that interpretation of a piece is what its all about-once it leaves your care, the poem becomes a thing in its own right and therefore takes on meaning to other people...
i have had one poem totally dismantled and rewritten on another forum - but it was justified-hurt like hell at the time but i could see how much better the piece was for the surgery!!
..however i do still get hurt when other peoples work gets ripped apart-to some it means everything-to some it means other things..we can all learn -i think its important to evolve..its just the manner that education takes sometimes :)

ok-shutting up and going away now ......

[k2hsharpe]

explain briefly (once!)
then
acknowledge their interpretation (once!!)
then
don't get upset, get that other thing (once!!!)
send the hard men round to break their poetic fingers ...
let the callous bastards touch type with their snouts for a few weeks to teach them consideration
*grumps*

[k2hsharpe]

ooooops
can't believe i suggested that last
( i am so ashamed of myself )
*hangs head and looks very contrite*

[BenJohnson]

It all depends on my mood at the time and how they have commented.

1) If they have misunderstood but read something deep and meaningful in there that I never intended then I'll think Just think "Hah what do they know anyway (and keep quiet)

2) If they have misunderstood or failed to understand but seem to be asking for an answer then I'll explain it.

3) If they have failed to understand, but commented in an unpleasant way then I'll either ignore it or if someone else has posted the correct meaning I'll focus on replying to that person pointing out that they have clearly got the correct meaning.

I won't bother saying I'll never write again, because I have lived long enough to know that is untrue, although I have tried in the past. I will likely doubt my creative ability as that is second nature :D

[hiderinthebutterbox]

Thank you all so much for some lovely , honest interesting and *looks at K2* some rather shamefully funny but *so wish I dare* replies. :bleh:

Bastet..... dont you EVER shut up and go away :) :hug:

Thank you again

peace

xx:)

[danecobain]

i would either leave them to have their own interpretation or explain it, depending upon how flattering their interpretation was :)

EDIT: You should've included a poll! :P

[smorzando]

to be honest, it depends on the context. if it was meant maliciously then i might say something about it, but only after i've had a chance to cool down and think about it rationally first. i'm a pacifist -- i dont like fighting with people.

if it's a deep or meaningful interpretation, or one that makes sense then i'll leave it -- i believe that poetry is subjective to the reader as much as it is subjective to the poet him or herself... i might ask how the reader came to that conclusion; it's always interesting to see what other people think.

if they've misunderstood and are asking for an explanation, i'll explain it.

i wouldn't swear to never write again. well i could but i know it would never happen -- i'd start again sooner or later.