I read poetry. Let me repeat myself: I read poetry.
I keep a shelf of poetry publications right behind my desk (see proof).
I mention this because I've been reading an awful lot of really bad poetry lately. All the poems were written by people who: (1) claim to write poetry "for themselves", (2) use poetry as therapy, (3) never read poetry regularly, and (4) want to be published.
If one wants to publish poems, one should read what is being published.
Having said all that, I am discovering that I am finding out what I like to read in poems. I am also discovering that I use that knowledge to steer the way I write. (I think I may explore this in another post. Stay tuned.)
And on a lighter note: How can serious literature compete??
