Be generous

Warning. The following article might be tough reading or controversial and may offend some. If you wish to come back at me on any of what follows, please do so, but please do so in a polite and civil manner. I'm more likely to respond to you if you do. If you fall out with me because of this, that will be unfortunate and it won't be what I intend, but that's life.

Here's my observation: Most poets prefer to read their own poetry to that of others. Many are inward-looking and can be self-centred. I know, because in the past I behaved like this myself. That was ... until I discovered an important truth. But I will elaborate on that a little later.

I have seen plenty of evidence of selfish behaviour on the Facebook groups I have managed in the past two years. Poets are generally very willing to post their own work, but pay scant attention to the work of others. They enjoy gaining feedback, but are less willing to make the effort to read and comment on other poets' work. There are some that never ever comment on the poetry of others. This means that many poets are ignored, failing to attract any comments or likes. They become discouraged and despondent. Because all poets also crave attention. It's a vicious and ironic circle. The very self-centredness of poets ends up isolating them from their own communities. 

Let me tell you how the Facebook group algorithm works: The more active a poet is in reading, reacting and commenting on the work of other poets in a group, the more their posts become visible on the timelines of those others. The obverse is also true. If all you do is post, post, post, and pay no attention to the work of others, then you are likely to become isolated and ignored, because, literally, no-one will be able to see your work. On Facebook poetry groups, it's all about the connection.

Here's the important truth: A great benefit of reading the work of other poets is that you gain better insight into diverse themes, styles, genres, techniques, rhyme schemes, formats and alternative approaches. It's a fact that ever since I began to read the work of other poets avidly, I have learnt an incredible amount about how to improve my own work, and I have discovered a treasure trove of different formats and approaches to writing poetry. 

And I'm still learning! I don't go a day now without reading at least 40-50 poems from other writers. It gives me inspiration too. Sometimes a line or a phrase will set my thoughts running, and before I know it, I have written a poem that I would never have even thought of, it I hadn't read that particular piece by another poet. 

So please... when you next venture into one of your Facebook poetry groups, don't just do so to post your own work. Be generous. Do take some time to read, react and comment on the work of others in your group. Give freely of your time and efforts. Others will appreciate the time and care you take giving your feedback. It is sure to pay off for you in the long term. And it will mean that you truly become an active member of the community.

Steve Wheeler

Image from Pixabay used under a Creative Commons Licence