CafeRg,
1.) I no longer see any value in posting in the AX. We seem to be a forum whose primary purpose is community, not constructive criticism. Most feel that either they will have their feelings hurt, or hurt someone else's feelings, if weaknesses in meter, rhyme, or sound and/or extended metaphor, line breaks and the like are pointed out. We write, first to please ourselves, then in the hope of inspiring others, or, at least, connecting to others. As Witt has reminded me, if you post in the AX, it is because you believe the poem to have weaknesses, but are unable either to detect them or correct them on your own. You don't post what you believe to be finished products in the AX. However, because some see it as the most oft visited page of this site, they post there, not for criticism, but merely for the sake of getting more views. Sometimes I wonder if a given individual isn't "hitting" on his poem himself to gin up interest. I haven't posted in other categories recently, because the comments usually are a reflection of the kindness of the reader than the quality of the poem. I don't want to loose my edge to compliments that might be heartfelt, but dull a drive towards better workmanship. I'm as prone to preen as anyone else. Iron, not feathers, sharpens iron.
2.) I only visit one other site with any degree of regularity. I find the site administrators to be arrogant, rude, and condescending. However, one of the great features of the site is a long list of references of books on how to write poetry, of published works of successful writers, blurbs of wisdom regarding how to avoid abstracts, an overabundance of modifiers, proper syntaz and grammar in respect to writing according to current modern poetry standards, and the like. Establishing such a reference page in T.R.A.P. might be useful for all of us.
3.) I'd like to participate in more live reads, but the time zone differences impact on my ability to do so. By the time I'm able to hook up, the others are ready to call it a night. If we use EST as the baseline, then then 4pm est Saturdays, or 10pm EST Sundays, or Noon Est Saturdays might work better for me. But 9pm EST is 6pm here on nights when I have to take out the garbage or sit down to table talks. (Daylight savings time plays a role, admittedly.)
This is a good site. Being here has motivated me to increase my production, nearly double what it was before I became a member, but I'm not sure that the quality haskept up with the quantity.
My two cents.
Regards,
Bill
