DETAILED COMMENTS ON YOUR POETRY AT REASONABLE RATES If you write poetry, give it your best. |
Here are some quotations from poets' responses to my comments:
"I really mean to apply and abide by your excellent advice which can only improve my poetic craft... Your criticism was
thoroughly warranted, and I (am) thoroughly glad and grateful you served the warrant." (M. D. C., California)
"A good, specific critique on my (poem). My first reaction was to go to the hardware store for forty feet of strong rope
and then search out the nearest tall tree. Second reaction was to read it again and listen." (B. A. S., Washington)
"I have held a fear for quite a while that I was being humored by those who loved me and those who were acquainted
with me. I really needed to hear from an indifferent third party... All of your points well taken--excellent information
that I would never have been able to find out about in any other manner." (D. M. D., Missouri)
"I don't know when I've had a greater delight than happening on your friendship. The clarity, aptness, erudition and
wisdom of your letter leave me gaping, but, more importantly, fond of the man behind it. I can't imagine how our
correspondence should not go on the rest of our lives.... I don't want to take off half a day to digest and think as
your packet warrants, but I'll take it along to the Dominican Republic and write you again from there.... One item
may have some urgency. I'll probably be reading proof on "Partita" before I leave, and I found your comments
on the meter unsettling as they were accurate.... I would appreciate more detailed comments, because I probably
need to do some revising, not only to get the u into Sandy's cantaloupes but to fix dead meter and other matters.
And, obviously, your eye is very sharp." [These excerpts are from a letter dated November 27, 1982 from my late
and very great friend Judson Jerome (1927 - 1991).]
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