(no subject)
A nice note to leave the week on, this was the feedback my English professor gave me on my last paper, which was a poem:
DO NOT assume you are not a poet. This poem clearly demonstrates that you are. You also show much about your process and the passion that you put into your work. I am truly impressed. As someone who has written and published poetry for 35 years, trust me, and welcome to the dark, hidden world of poets. I particularly like the short line lenghts. That is something that took me years and years to learn. Say what you need, nothing more, nothing less. In fact, putting your poem to the ultimate test: asking each word and phrase "Why are you here" and discarding those with no or a poor answer, each of yours answered loudly and clearly. All of which is a long winded way of saying this is an A+ effort. My only caution is not to cast aside all personal issues in poetry. Done well, those poems are worthy of the best in writing. Done poorly, they are whining screeds. You are shaped by your life, and sometimes it takes 45 years or more to come to grips with who you are, that things you have called "youthful indiscretions" are really at the core of your thoughts, your sexuality, your gender identification, your philosophy. As one of my professors and friends said, about four years ago, "when America is a queer (not necessarily homosexual) nation, the world will be a better place for it." Celebrate yourself, and celebrate your performance in this course. Both merit it fully.
Lou Faber
Adjunct Faculty, English/Philosophy
DO NOT assume you are not a poet. This poem clearly demonstrates that you are. You also show much about your process and the passion that you put into your work. I am truly impressed. As someone who has written and published poetry for 35 years, trust me, and welcome to the dark, hidden world of poets. I particularly like the short line lenghts. That is something that took me years and years to learn. Say what you need, nothing more, nothing less. In fact, putting your poem to the ultimate test: asking each word and phrase "Why are you here" and discarding those with no or a poor answer, each of yours answered loudly and clearly. All of which is a long winded way of saying this is an A+ effort. My only caution is not to cast aside all personal issues in poetry. Done well, those poems are worthy of the best in writing. Done poorly, they are whining screeds. You are shaped by your life, and sometimes it takes 45 years or more to come to grips with who you are, that things you have called "youthful indiscretions" are really at the core of your thoughts, your sexuality, your gender identification, your philosophy. As one of my professors and friends said, about four years ago, "when America is a queer (not necessarily homosexual) nation, the world will be a better place for it." Celebrate yourself, and celebrate your performance in this course. Both merit it fully.
Lou Faber
Adjunct Faculty, English/Philosophy