[Jim Moonan]

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I'm not surprised. I expected to hear what's being said. Ultimately, I agree. I understand how a prefacing note might impede an honest reading of the workshopped poem on its merits alone vs. a crib note preceding it. I think, though, a good critiquer could gain insight from it and not preclude them from evaluating how effectively the poem stands on its own.

The type of note I'm referring to would not be explanatory with regard to the poem itself, but rather some bit of backstory on how the poem came about. Something to pique interest.

For example:

"This poem was conceived while driving as I passed by the glut of panhandlers and homeless on the corner of Mass and Cass Boston for the umpteenth time, always avoiding eye contact, always looking out of the corner of my eye."

or this for an unwritten poem entitled "What Is Miraculous, for $500, Alex":

This poem came about as I delved into the life of the albatross and being astonished by it, and learning that the albatross is a type of shearwater bird which I had never heard of before, and then discovering that “shear” was not “sheer”, and then discovering the beauty of the meanings and uses of the word “sheer”, which led serendipitously to the adjective “miraculous” to describe birds…

I do think, though, when a poem is posted for targeted criticism (meter, rhyme, etc.) it still remains open to criticism in other areas if it warrants it (from the critiquer's pov).

But all that was this morning... Now that I think about it in the bare light of the afternoon it hardly seems worth it. I think you've answered the question: let the poem stand alone. To do otherwise would go against the grain of the Sphere — Thanks.


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