I Don’t Get Your Poem. Should I Leave a Comment?
There is an unwritten understanding of sorts that if you comment on my work I should reciprocate. But oftentimes poetry is vague, and all I’ve got it "nice poem." Is that enough?
Dear Triond Poet Friend,
I love the comments that you leave on my articles. Writers are such neurotic, navel gazing creatures – we live for feedback on our work. I spend most of my days sitting at a computer, alone, reading and writing. I check my inboxes obsessively, in hopes that someone out there is not only reading my work, but leaving comments. You complete me.
I would like to reciprocate, and I do want you to know that I read your whole poem, several times, but I still don’t have a clue what you are trying to say. I don’t want to just leave some vague comment like “nice poem” or “lovely imagery” just so you know I was here. Besides, the two people who got here before I did have already used those two.
Sometimes your poetry is very sad and/or painful. I want to reach out and say something comforting, but I’m not even sure if this poem is autobiographical, or an expression of what you are going through right now. I might say something like “I’m so sorry that he doesn’t love you anymore. Cheer up, there are more fish in the sea.” And then you send me a comment about how this poem is about your cat.
A few times here on Triond I have read poems that suggest that the author is seriously contemplating suicide. I didn’t want to join the queue of commenters who were saying “nice poem”. So I have responded with a personal message asking if the person was okay. One writer was amused at my concern. She wrote back to say that the poem was autobiographical but it was a piece that she wrote ten years ago, and she was fine now. But another writer in the same situation really was suicidal. We wrote back and forth for several months. Sometimes bleak poetry posted on a public forum is a cry for someone to ask what is wrong and then listen.
Poetry is by nature an expression of the artist’s heart in word pictures and imagery. Sometimes all I have to say in response is “nice poem.” Thank you for sharing.
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February 16th, 2012 at 12:08 am
Even a little word of appreciation is very important my friend , Think how many people like to appreciate other’s work and mind it it is not at all necessary to reciprocate if you don’t wish so. We are in a great marketing world , where you have to play your self marketed . i like your article , keep writing
February 16th, 2012 at 12:11 am
I agree. Well said. Some people just put the standard reply without even reading the aritcle. They could be commenting on something terrible without even knowing it. its good that you brought this to everyones attention as they prob dont realise what they could be doing.
February 16th, 2012 at 12:44 am
If you don’t get an otherwise well written poem, then sometimes a general comment is all that you can say. You’ve at least shown that u took the time to gI’ve a page view and leave a comment. However, we all know there are some ppl that never read and try to understand anything and alwaysalwaysalways leave the same” great job”, “interesting ” , “very cool” comments..whether appropriate or not!
February 16th, 2012 at 3:34 am
If the poem doesn’t move me in at least some way, I tend not to leave a comment.
February 16th, 2012 at 5:03 am
Exactly. No, I’m not going to leave it at that.but I do totally agree with you. I think this is especially true of poetry but goes for other writing as well. There is no way on earth in a given day that any of us have time to sit and critique every piece that comes through our news feed; unless of course we have personal maid service but if a title catches my attention or it is a writer I have read often and appreciate for their writing talent or expertise in a certain area, I read it and I ditto Jo Oliver; at least read the piece before you comment even if all you do say is “Good job,” but say it only if it is. If you have a serious critique that may help the author to become better, also, go to their profile and send them a personal note with your take on how they might improve the piece. Maybe they will want to do a fix. I appreciate a serious critique. It is how we grow as a writer.
February 16th, 2012 at 5:44 am
If you are a serious commenter who believes comments should be serious, genuine, sincere and meaningful, and if you also wish to reciprocate a friend’s visit/comment to your article, you will find yourself in a dilemma quite often — at least I experience this. And what you say regarding poems is very true too. Often, I do not understand what the author writes. I have written privately, pointing out what I find as mistakes. The response is warm sometimes. Often, the author does not understand his/her mistake, and the result is not as I intended.
February 16th, 2012 at 11:18 am
Some times all you can say is “nice rhyme” or post the emotion, heck it is probably okay to comment “I didnt understand it at all but it seemed sad” or whatever.
February 16th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
In some cases you can only comment on how the poem was written. It was kind of you to check on the person. I have not been myself this last month as personal problems have plagued my family. It’s hard to write when you are so worried and upset or it comes out in your writing as a way to cope. You are a dear person.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
I agree with Bruce Officer.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
The same thing happened to me when I posted “Life Is A Storm”. My brother emailed me and asked me if I was okay (first time he ever showed concern for me). I told him to look at the date on the bottom of the poem. It was written years before.
But I agree with you. Poems are hard to comment on, especially when the message isn’t clear. I was never very good with Shakespeare. LOL!
February 16th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
No need for such inner turmoil and personal guilt trips just don’t comment.
February 16th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I try to always return comments and I run into these poems quiet often, but I leave a comment anyway. I want the person to know I was there.
February 16th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
This is a very thougghtful piece Karen. I too sometimes wonder if the poem is autobiographical or not. Usually, if I feel uncomfortable in any way with the poem I don’t comment. I don’t know what the correct answer is here, but I certainly see your point re the darker poems.
February 17th, 2012 at 3:09 am
Poetry is personal, and for some it can be visualized. If you have questions, or need explanations……..send them a comment, personal of course.
February 17th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Yeah, it is sometimes difficult to correctly understand poems people published here or anywhere else. I for one often leave just nice poem, I liked your poem or what feelings it brought up in me type of comments – I also leave that kind of comments when I’m not comfortable talking about past experiences that this or that particular poem made me remember (although now that I think of it, sharing a lot of my experiences could show many suicidal people that it can be far worse and they can get over it …). Actually, I’m rarely sure I got the idea behind the poem right …
Anyway, I always wanna say that I was there too. From personal experience I know that seeing short and simple comments is almost always better than seeing no comments at all.
+ short and general comment from me is often better than strange/crazy/dark/sick joke that usually pops up in my mind anytime I read something sad or unpleasant … Anyway, looking at almost anything with humor is a great way to get rid of suicidal thoughts or at least to push them aside for a while till the depression fades away.
February 18th, 2012 at 5:17 am
nice information
February 18th, 2012 at 5:27 am
I like to leave a comment but if I am not sure of the poem or article I don’t comment
February 18th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
If you just can’t comment on something, there is always the “like” button. If the “like’ button doesn’t seem honest, quietly going away works. If it is a friend, and you just aren’t sure about the message, leave a direct note asking if they are ok. They may be amused, but it is better than ignoring someone who really does need a boost. Sometimes “nice poem” is a good comment, sometimes it just makes the poet feel frustrated. It’s a sticky wicket. Good one to bring up.
February 19th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I am glad someone finally, actually said this out loud. LOL…I sometimes find it difficult to respond to certain poems, especially if you are wondering if they are based on an actual situation, or just a chosen writing direction of the author. I do not leave a comment if I really do not know what to say, but that is rare. I write all sorts of poetry, but my short stories are usually dark writes. I have had people respond by telling me they are sorry for my loss, and some have told me how to deal with my mental issues. LOL.. I usually just remind them it is just a write. Just for the record, I am mentally and physically fine, so if you stumble upon my short stories, remember it is just my imagination at work.
And just for the record, I really did enjoy this write, as well as the comments that apply to the write…Vic Damico
March 7th, 2012 at 11:32 pm
I like leaving comments on what I read, but right, sometimes I don’t know how should i comment. not that there is a guidebook on how we should comment. Then i realize we can’t please everybody. So just write a comment that you want.