ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

And rightly so, Heather.

But in some way success: is what other people do with your work.

Marty

"And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture."

PABLO NERUDA, "Tonight I Can Write"

Poetry is the impish attempt to paint the color of the wind.
..
MAXWELL BODENHEIM

Where sunsets glow a purple hue
and all the evening crickets sing,
then prints are left on morning dew
as in the valley bell birds ring.

The only thieves here in the night
are bandicoots or spotted quoll,
where breezes take dead leaves in flight
and mother nature grooms one’s soul.


Me!!!....

Great quotes Heather. Oh to write words that stay with you like that!

Aren't they great Robyn? I wish I could write like that.

G'day,

And how many of us can really put their work 'out there' and accept all critique with out feeling hurt. Perhaps hurt is not the best word but I can't think of another word at this point. I know I don't post anywhere near the number of poems that I used to. I would like my work to been joyed but I would also like to be able to feel sure the metre (in particular) was correct. But I'm never sure. So, not wanting to show my shortfalls, I don't post many.
Why is it, I can see the hick ups in other peoples poems but not my own? any ideas?

Just do it Zondrae There is no such thing as precisely correct metre, so you don't need to worry.

Poetry is not a machine manufactured item, it is a hand-made product. Isn't it true that hand-made things always have slight imperfections, and for that reason they seem to have a special charm and appeal ( to me anyway ) Maybe that's because hand-made reflects our humanity, none of us is perfect we all have our bumpiness and ragged edges, why shouldn't our poetry look the same.

And further, Sorry, I'll waffle on more the English language is notoriously irregular and simply refuses to conform to some precise metric scheme.
I think it is a good idea to understand poetry metre and work within the demands of a form, but I think we need to accept that the vagaries of English and the more important need for the power of expression subvert the neat precision of design requirements in the poetic form.


In other words Zondrae, Go for it ! Stop worrying, you can do it and do it well.

Totally agree Neville. Just do it Zondrae, put it out there and let those who will, enjoy and those who don't can go watch TV or play some other game.

David I love your poem, it is just beautifully Australian - well done.

A poet’s work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep.

SALMAN RUSHDIE, London Independent, Feb. 18, 1989