Actually, much of the general public does write poetry or has at one time or
another.
Although they write it, they do not do so with serious intent: studying
poetry, reading poetry, or buying it. --Sue

They might, but what kind of encouragement to they get.  The academics seem
to self-centered, looking in and never out; but frankly other professionals
seem to be no better.  Many is the comment I read on a forum disparaging
average poets as if genius is the only standard or all to nearly quote
Garrison, all poets should be above average.

Who teaches?  Who takes them in hand and leads them through the forms and
work it takes to reach even level two out of ten?

At our local reading, late in open mic, four or five "goths," a group of
kids twenty to twenty-five read.  Raw work, some terrible, but in at least
one true talent.  What do we do besides smile when we listen to their
fumbling efforts?

Do we invite them to our live workshop?  Suggest, take them aside and offer
publication for the one good work?

One of the members of our workshop saw them at the local college library -
in the poetry stacks - pouring over books.

Who knew they work at the craft?

I believe poetry is more popular than we in the profession, no matter how
marginally (How many in this forum do something in poetics besides write?,
imagine.  That the web may be home to hundreds of thousands in hundreds of
forums, blogs, private pages, et al.  And that the renaissance from all of
that has yet to strike "mainstream" poetry.

It will if print and academics take a look about them. Perhaps in this
year's Pushcart.

But, Sue, you are right about when poetry poems seem to come - when we feel
little else is there.  But I do not see anything wrong with that.  At least,
we write; and as long as we do not claim it is brilliant work, but only
another effort in many -where most fail and some do not - we should write
whatever is there.

Last night a workshop member was concerned about the selection she was going
to read.  First, because it was stream of consciousness and because it came
from common events.

WCWilliams wrote quickly, others do not.

But to stay on point, write about what you will.  I once fussed about abuse
and suicide poems.  I don't any longer.  I may fuss about what they -do not-
say, but not subject.

Enough.

Write well and thanks for listening.

Gary




IF MY MAIL BOUNCES, MAIL [log in to unmask] AS AN ALTERNATIVE.....March
Margaret Hodge and Gary poems for kids at:
http://gardawg.homestead.com/gardawg.html --- Writer's Hood at
http://www.writershood.com/..... Poets for Peace.... ¡Poemas sí, balas no!