I consider that excellent advice. It's always possible to find a flaw in anything we read. But once the poem progresses beyond a certain point of literacy, I don't think the specific flaws are particularly relevant. The poem either works (for us), or it doesn't. It either works despite its flaws or doesn't work despite its successes.
I think it was wendy v? who suggested that there are two ways of approaching a poem on a board like this. One way is for workshopping--finding the flaws and pointing them out. The other way is in critique--assuming the poem is a finished piece of good quality and then discussing its effectiveness.
I call them reading negatively (workshopping) and reading positively (critique). Both are necessary and useful, but once a poet progresses past a certain point, workshopping is no longer as helpful as comments on the poem as a finished whole.
I think I'm addressing the same thing. If I'm completely confused, please poke me with a sharp stick. And if I've used Wendy's name in vain, someone please correct me.
Julie
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