That’s a reference to Robert Frost, btw, not the snowman
How to Comment on Poetry
Without sounding ignorant, stalkerish, or frosty
The world of poetry is a mystical, beautiful and deeply thoughtful one.
Others refer to it as highly pretentious and confusing as all fuck.
As someone who has only recently dipped their toe into this world, I set about examining my still intact toe for metaphorical significance.
Finding none, I decided to write an advice column instead.
Because what I've noticed is poetry on Medium gets less comments than humour, self-help, or vague conspiracy pieces about hackers and horse stalls.
As we have been told, the Medium algo and payment scheme rewards pieces with lots of comments and interaction (but not too much).
Poets are already paupers, so I think it's best we all do our part to throw them a few extra pieces of silver.
If commenting on poetry seems intimidating to you, please read on. I have created some handy templates on how to comment, including insider-info on technical terms and in-the-know phrases to show off your poetic legitimacy.
Make your comments poetic
Nothing makes a poet happier than reading a rhyming response. It's shows that you speak their language.
For example:
Dude, you're a poet, Don't I know it, ... So does your mum.
Ok, the ending could do with a little work, but you get the idea, You well hung steer.
Name drop famous poets
If you can't think of anything specific to say about their poem, compare them to a famous poet and they will be smitten.
Like a defecating kitten.
Sorry. I'll stop.
For example:
Your poetry reminds me of John Keats. The poet.
Wowzas! Somebody call the Edgar Allan Poe-lice!
Seductive poetry. You've just caused a swelling in my Emily Dickenson.
Drop technical terms left right and slightly off-centre
Poets love craft. They love those who have studied the art and know the internal mechanisms that make each poem tick.
Show them you have studied.
For example:
Sick stanzas bruh!
Oh, ow I ove ur assonance.
Your free verse sonnet had so many meters it took me acrostic the world and back!
Play around with form
Poetry these days cares not for rules. It tells authority to slam its syntax up its scansion.
You should too.
Examples:
Your
ㅤㅤpoetry
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤmakes
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤme
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤlean
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ2
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤthe
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤleft
👁️ Ad My R 🐑*
Well, there you have it. You should now be fully confident to comment on even the most confusing, complicated and catastrophically convoluted poetry you encounter.
Let's give those poets the respect they deserve.
All silliness aside, I highly recommend you read some of these gems from genuinely talented poets.
But maybe practice your comments on mine first.
*That was a ewe, not a sheep. Ewe would know that of course, because my readers are not sheep.