Advice for would-be poets

[Jon]

Here's some advice for lousy poets!

Consult yourself, and if you find
A powerful impulse urge your mind,
Impartial, judge within your breast
What subject you can manage best;
Whether your genius most inclines
To satire, praise, or humorous lines,
To elegies in mournful tone,
Or prologue sent from hand unknown.
Then, rising with Aurora's light,
The Muse invoked, sit down to write;
Blot out, correct, insert, refine,
Enlarge, diminish, interline;
Be mindful, when invention fails,
To scratch your head, and bite your nails

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jon.....Solid advice and admonition. You seem to zip out your lines pretty easily. Very clearly, as well.

Lizzytysh

Edit: Succinct was the word I was seeking.

[Jon]

"Succint" Yes, although here in Ireland, we call it satire!

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jon...I actually was coming back in to comment that not everyone has the same command of English that you do, plus everyone has their own ways of formulating sentences, expressing themselves, et al. I won't ask what you do to earn money; however, it does appear that proficiency in the language arts are in some measure are a prerequisite. Your usage is excellent.

Now, regarding "succinct" -- satire does tend to be that; however, not everything that's succinct is satire. We use succinct as indicating precise, concise, efficient, brief and covering only what is required/necessary to make the point, etc. See what I mean?

Lizzytysh

[Jon]

I have been retired from the church (Anglican) for some years.

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jon,

So, your profession required excellent communication skills, as it entailed high-level interaction with the congregation, clergy, and community. Is that correct?

Lizzytysh

[Jon]

Yes, but I did a great deal of political writing as well. For which I endured not a little abuse. Things are more peaceful for me now though.

[lizzytysh]

Jon,

Yes, given your stance on criticism of poetry, I'd have to believe that when it comes to politics, you'd be more than a little heavy-handed [opinionated? ]. -- and I have no trouble believing that life is a lot more peaceful for you as a result.

Lizzytysh

[Jon]

Yes, now these words are the best epitaph for me -

Where savage indignation can no longer lacerate the heart

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jon,

I'm never sure of the correct onomatopoeia, for this. I usually write, "ooooh," but fear that comes out "sounding" like a long "o" and what I want is for what's left if you pronounce "you," but leave off the "y" when you pronounce it.

Anyway, with that preceding it, "_______, excellent. I'm presuming you've already made your wishes known or your relevant next-of-kin is taking notes." It does sound about right.

Lizzytysh

[Songkathy]

Hi Jon,
I like this one. I am inspired by all these ppoems and postings. I will have to fpost some of my poems about writing too as time goes by. Songkathy