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Hi Alice,

Arrogant? Hardly. Precious? Well, my mother might agree with you on that one.

I’d like to go on record here in an attempt to better explain my position on this thread. I hope it clears things up. I know these boards can be tricky. When you only have the printed word in front of you (without the person’s tone and demeanor behind it) it’s easy to misread them. In no way did I mean to say that I had “no interest in revising” because of arrogance. In fact, I’m probably more critical of my writing than anyone. I’m realizing now that I should’ve explained my philosophy on writing in general.

In a nutshell, when I’m done with something, I’m done with it. I don’t dwell on the things I’ve created and that’s due, in part, to what I said above about being overly critical. In the past, I’ve walked the floors for hours agonizing over the written word. What I’ve found (and I’m only speaking for myself here) is that, with countless revisions, I tend to like it less and less. Because of this, I’ve become a “trust your gut” kind of guy. Oh sure, I rewrite. I don’t mean to imply that it’s off the cuff and spontaneous. It’s just that I begin to feel like too much is overkill, and when I think I’ve reached that stage, I walk away. I’m not sure this explanation is any better than my earlier posts, but I’m happy to expound upon it further if anyone is interested.

As for your comments, notes and rewrites…much obliged. It’s clear you took a lot of time with it, which only tells me that you care. Thank you.

And as for you, my dear, sweet, Lizzy, thanks for always fighting the good fight. When this is all over, I want to take you to Coney Island and buy you an ice cream.

Warmly,

-ph

Pinata Heart,

Even though I am not too knowledgeable about the workings of poetry, I still have to say that poetry being a creative process, can be overworked as you have said. Just like a painting, you have to know when to stop or you can turn a masterpiece into a product that will have no value. You knew when to stop. It is perfect as is!

Kindest regards,
Mary

I can't thank you enough for the kind words Mary, it means the world to me.

You talk of painting...are you a painter?

-ph

Pinata Heart,

I used to be many years ago - now I paint my garden.

Kindest regards,
Mary

Hey, Pinata ~

Somebody's got to stand in defense and fight the good fight for bad poetry. Without it, to what could anyone compare to know the good? Kinda like Annie's eyes in reverse. Might as well be you and me . Who better than the ignorant and uneducated in the ways and means of good poetry... or poetry, period. Heck, I wouldn't put it past me to think a piece of good poetry bad.

Coney Island? The real thing! New York, New York . Thanks .

As a non-painter, I agree with you . And, HAH, just happened upon Perfect Example, Exhibit A ~ Andy Warhol Exhibition! Now... back in the day... oh, my... "a CAMPBELL SOUP CAN!?!" How trivial, how trite! I mean, sure it summons home and warm fuzzies of cold winter days and having a can, but still... a TRUE artist!?! Plagiarizing the Campbell Soup industry?... with the mere HUGE replication of a can!?! How dare he call it art!

Simmmple.............. hmm. And to think that now he is and, for quite awhile now, has been considered a genius . Harumph, eh, Pinata? Let's go get a Coney .


~ Lizzy

Hey, Pinata ~ It occurred to me on my way into town that we could form a support group called Bad Poets Unite!, with the acronym B-PU! [get it ? ~ that's appropriately bad enough in being only marginally punny, don't you think ?]