Poetic novice, or a novice poet...?

[Salaam]

(That is the question)

Hello everybody,

I host my poetry at http://www.salaampoetic.co.uk Feel free to feed back to me your criticisms. I've never had any critical feedback for any of my poems, so therefore I wouldn't know how to guage my poems good or bad. All I know is that I enjoy writing them, but I only publish those I'm happy with.

I've only recently these past few weeks began to read poetry seriously. I've passingly read Maya Angelou, a couple of Kiplings' (recently), but I do enjoy Shakespeare's playwrites. I've structured mine without reference to other works and have pretty much free-styled my way through poetry for years, so for all I know I've written a whole lot of gibberish. I'm interested in knowing where my place is, how to fit in and what works are recommended for study.

I know nothing of the technicalities of poetry, other than the structure of a limerick. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a sonnet, a poem, or verse, or if there are any differences but... well... I'm rambling now.

Anyway, I look forward to your acquaintance and feedback.

[BenJohnson]

It's a nice looking website Salaam, I haven't got time to look properly now, but I will tomorrow. Try posting one or two of the ones you feel are best here and see what response you get. Everybody is very friendly.

If you are interested in finding out about different styles of poems, BobSmith006 has pointed me to an interesting site here http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/types.html.

I look forward to your acquaintance too.

[Salaam]

Thanks... I've bookmarked the page.

I read your work on Triond. Disconnected and Shattered are very moving. Shattered sent a chill of dread right through me. Having read Disconnected first I wondered if it were about the death of a child. Elegantly subtle. But with Shattered you conveyed just that, a shattering. Perhaps it's because I have daughters myself, but the last line literally had a 'shattering' effect on me. It was as if I were viewing the picture you were painting through a patterned glass window, somewhat obscured by the delineations, which at the very last moment shattered into pieces to reveal the reality beyond. You mentioned that strangers wouldn't feel the weight of the words when you stagger them out. That may be so in speech. Your poem however managed very well to press on the heart.

[Yog]

Hey and welcome to the forum. Don't worry too much about how much knowledge of poetry you have. Good is still good, even when it lacks formal training. If you are looking for reading material, just go down to the local bookstore and pick up a poetry anthology that strikes your fancy and read through it. Chances are it was put together by someone with a PhD in literature, someone who has forgotten more poetry than you and I will ever read, and will represent a large swath of good poetry.

Other than that feel free to post comments and a few poems. All we ask is that your comments, if critical, be constructive. So have fun and enjoy your stay.

[smorzando]

Hiya, welcome. There is no need to have a massive knowledge of poetry in order to join. Hope you stick around.

smorz.

[bastet]

lol!!..think i'll just say hello!...:)