Got rejected, eh? Seriously, a wise teacher of mine told me that an idea is a fragile thing after I questioned one of his.

There is constructive and destructive criticism. Most is destructive (like in American Idol) so that the cream can rise to the to the top. You point out the destructive well here. Most ADers can't tell the difference.

Ron

"Left rotting on the pages of the mainstream small press
Bloodless and without recourse"

Awesome!

Cycle Of Mediocrity Continues To Thrive,i.e. But You Put Dent In It Breaks Cycle Of Illiteracy Process...

TRASSK

You have said a lot ! Many of us feel frustration at times. All I can say is keep writing and keep trying. Authors Den is a way to share our work with fellow writers, like you just did...A good one !!!!...M

Excellent penning of frustrations felt by us all, in some realm or another. You have a knack for drawing one in and giving us points to identify with, author or no. Amazing piece,my friend.

you never disapoint me jude...your muse is powerfuly energetic and fabously intelligent beyond light years....

So true! Those of us who refuse to let others do our thinking for us and will not willingly swallow the bombastic flatulations of the so called literary aritsocracy recognize greatness when we see it. I like the fact that you have cleverly shined the light on this fact in poetic form.
~Butch

i agree with alot of people here even though i don't send my poetry out i did maybe five poetry contest and four were scams....i do know what you say here is true because i've heard the stories over and over again i write for me, you all here .AD and a have put together little paper chap books for those around me...haven't stepped out there to emags or others too many bad stories

enlightening, informative and (by comments)just plain on the money

The literary world with regard to poetry falls into a couple of different areas. Those who rub shoulders with others, i.e. poetry editors trading work publications with others editors, I've seen this going on for some time in second tier magazine and on-line publications. The other is area is the one of elite status. Those judged by a small audience to be the best of the best. Once they've reached that status they ride their name and most, if not all of the top tier lit mags are only too willing to publish anything they write regardless of content.

In general, 70-80 percent of the poetry I read at these sites never hits home. Their work is fragmented, most times without any sense of purpose to draw in the reader. It's a shame really, that some people can write below what I would call the "polished publication line", and yet see their work out there. Here's a rejection comment from a recent submission: "I love the creativity of work", then she goes on too quote 4 particular lines, then, she finishes by saying "But I won't be able to use it in this publication". "Can you send me some of your work to read? Huh?

Best,

Jim

Write right on dear friend...okay!!!

Love Tinka

Just stay strong, Jude...and keep writing!

Jude,

Just keep writing. Small opinions, be cursed--if I could write poetry like this..............you, my friend, are a gift to the literary world!! It's their loss, but our gain, to read you. An excellent, thought provoking read.

(((((HUGS))))) and love, Karla.

Let the critics have their small thoughts. You are a fine poet.

... and trying to read some of the work published by the (purported) esteemed literary heirarchy, one needs a thesauras and dictionary or the overactive imagination of a five-year-old. Some is pure crap with words scattered all over the page in obscure blips and blops of non-existent meaning. Excellent poem, excellent thoughts, Robert.
Love,
CJ

Every field of work has a skim of cream at the top. What defines "cream," changes along the way? Although we are victims of those who say we don't measure up, it is, nevertheless, our destiny to be judged by others purported to be best at the craft. Change will be slow in coming.

In the arts, the above is compounded, and change in the top percentage will be more prevalent and erratic. As change comes I hope that literary quality is maintained. I retain great respect for proper use of language, and demanding that writers of good poetry use good English in their work. However, it appears that too many hunt shortcuts and ways to cheat, rather than mastering language before writing poetry.

I thank you for this work. It is an outstanding milestone in the history of poetry. Your frankness is refreshing and instructive. Keep writing poetry, and we'll cheer you on... and on. - Bill

I used to write a lot in my own language, maltese, but like you I was often set apart because more famous names were prefered. I'll never forget one of the adjudicators of a competition coming up to me and telling me that mine was the best, but alas...and he just stopped there. I never wrote again in my language. Maybe I was wrong, but henceforth I write for my own pleasure. Victor

Yup just got a rejection on one of my kids poems, but it was said so kindly that it don't read like a rejection, just they enjoyed it and were overstreched saying keep trying.. e.g rejection lol

Sadly, poetry seems to be over one hundred years dead and those of us who use this genre to express our distaste or even our love for the world along with its events and people, are thought of as passé and given little regard. I think it might be safe to say that "only the poet, loves poetry," though, there are still those few who take the time to absorb what the poets have penned. I believe that people have gotten used to having things clearly and simply spelled out for them in straight up language, which is usually not the voice of the poet. Perhaps in our attempts to be artistically unique as well as in our use of metaphor we, the poets, are responsible for our own literary demise? Excellent poem with lots of exceptional lines, Jude.
Take care,
Sherry

Even in this country where I was born and live, a country of poets, that "academic aristocracy" (and I mean the one of little or no nobility, of course) which you mention, also exists and arrogantly slains the veins of those who dare expressing themselves through a "genre" or in a style that defies the "going trend". It's not that I despise conceptualism, which I rather admire and, sometimes, even "follow" (or "fall into", spontaneously), but it really irritates the heck out of me that it may be viewed as "the only art" - while everything else is disdainfully dismissed and, as you say, "tossed into the wastebasket". The truly sad part of all this, is that while those pompous farts remain self-enshrined in their own mental acid-reflux, the vast majority of the populace is sliding further and further down the slope of mediocrity - and so much good art, so much interesting literature, is ignored, thus lost, in between. I totally sympathize with your frustration, dear Jude - it echoes my own, but in your magnificent, inimitable expressions.
And do not lose heart, keep your poetry in motion!
Love,
Alexandra*

Robert,

Wow! This hits close to home. These two lines are my favorite. I will copy them down and read them often.

As the blood and guts of the poet
Is shredded by the arthritic aorta of academic aristocracy

That is one hell of a mouthfull to absorb or forget my friend.

Such a beautiful piece and very insightful indeed...you've expressed it well with the following line;
Thrown to vultures
Whose beaks are inscribed with scholarly infatuation
And the hieroglyphics of haughtiness

It is hard to have one's writing critiqued and picked apart, especially after pouring one's heart into their write. Your work is superb my friend. Write one, enjoyed this much, expressed so well!
Blessings
Joyce Bowling

I know the feeling all too well when I am exposed to poets like yourself, but alas we can only work with what talent we have and hope for the best.

Well spoken and delivered to the cosmos of true creativity!
I simply can't see how your work could ever be 'hung by the neck of creative endeavour' ... or is that hanged??
Sheer brilliance; as are all your writes! If only we could be publishers ...
Blessings Jude!

great job/i love 'left rotting'/but remember, mediocrity is in the eye of the be....unfortunately for the eyes of some others/ thanks for posting this one

"Whose credentials are marginalized and disfigured"

You must speak of others as this is certainly not you, sir...Ed

i like this, as always i enjoy your work

thanks you made me giggle

Excellent to the core....

Outstanding! You have defined it perfectly!Kudo's Jude!

Robert, you're right again! And guess what? The rejection letters we get, are somehow lacking in style! Makes you wonder who's reading our labor of love. Hmmm. Thank you for speaking your mind. Your're one of a kind!

Carmen

Beautifully said, Robert! This is very insightful and excellently written. Bravo!

Thank you,
Sheila

Awww...but tell me how do you really feel? Very astute writing. I haven't the words to express how much I've enjoyed this write but two quotes come to mind:
"The present day composer refuses to die"
Edgar Varesse
"All towers open fire..."
William Burroughs
Thank you for this write...
simonb

Thank you for writing what I have thought but could not express.
Go Robert!!!Sock it to those vultures!I love this and I love your spirit!

I agree Robert ... there is an inordinate amount of mediocrity now in poetry and literature. I say - and I am a bit out of character doing so - f*.% the academic literary aristocracy - a new generation is about to infiltrate the ranks of the benign and create tidal waves that will change the entire landscape.

Powerful insight Poet! Sharpen the swords and let the war begin!

Light and Wisdom ...
Richard Lloyd Cederberg

hmmm-lots to think about-i guess i am so new at all this i am just grateful to anyone who will read--especially if they say something nice!!!

True say Robert!rejected and flushed down the toilet of literacy,dragged through the streets and left dangling midair,hung by the creative endeavour.Literary process?

Bom Bhole!
Roshan

I could kiss you! LOL....I like to think of it as the Zorro syndrome. Masked folks lurking about, ever ready to slash up others works. Wrting is hard enough without critique.

Well said!

~ Sara

In a wordsmith's summation the entrials of banter is the fodder of verbosism.