[stylist] Poetry and interpretation

[Donna Hill]

Speaking of readers' interpretations vs the intent of the writer ... I think
writers, though we may have an intent that speaks to our own sensabilities
and motivates us to write, should allow liberally for readers to have
different interpretations. There are so many layers to life that it's
difficult to write even the simplest of things without covering several of
them. Additionally, we have, perhaps, a conscious intent for our work to
have an overriding message or meaning, but in the crafting, we often reveal
something of our own subconscious which may speak more clearly to some
readers than the meaning we had supposed the piece to carry. They used to
say in business that the customer is always right; in creative writing, the
reader is always right, whether the writer understands it or not.
Donna 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 3:06 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Poetry and interpretation

I had a teacher tell us that poetry can be like abstract art; if you try to
observe it only section by section, it won't make sense, but if you look at
it as a whole, it takes on meaning. I think any writing can take on various
meanings depending on the reader, and this is a good thing.
Like song lyrics, poetry is meant to touch and evoke. I don't think a person
should be chastised for their interpretation if it's different than some one
else's or even the intention of the poet themselves. It's good to address
form and structure, but at the end of the day, all the masses want is
something that speaks to them. If you *feel* after reading a poem, then the
poet has done their job.

Myrna, Declan started crawling this weekend, so I know what you're going
through today, grin.

Bridgit
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2013 12:40:56 -0500
From: Myrna Badgerow <kajuncutie926 at aol.com>
To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] (no subject)
Message-ID: <16853489-4432-47F0-A0A8-D58FC7B9E428 at aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii

Focusing on technique is a good thing but sometimes a form may not be done
correctly or whatever. If it!s a form I am not familiar with I usually will
not comment on technique. I may say the lines are too long for my tastes or
seem chunky. Perhaps the rhyming is a bit too reaching or even too
simplistic. 
Does that make sense? I hope so. If someone can suggest something to improve
my technique I am so welcoming of that but if poetry is not their thing but
my words touched them on some level, then I am elated that my words have
found a reason to be written. That's what I was trying to say. 
Babysitting for a rather over active grandson while his parents are moving.
My thoughts are scattered this morning... all over the floor actually along
with every toy on the box lol Myrna


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