Hi Bob! I really enjoyed reading your contrast of articles that analyze
in a way that enlightens, and articles that are so artless that they
could have come only from a state-funded publish-or-perish environment.
I'm adding to your description a bit, I realize! :-))
Here are my other thoughts:
"It's a poem, it can't be analyzed"
"It's for women, many men won't understand"
Those are two examples of defensive obscurantism. My response to this
general reaction is simply this. When a poem of mine is criticized I
squirm. I fidget. I fuss, mostly privately. I wish the effort had
received a better response. Then, usually about three weeks later, I
realize the critter was correct. I smile and thank the gods for the art
form with which I play, however badly, and I carry on.
Carl
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