A Review Gone Bad

tongue in cheek

 

I was asked to do a poem review,

after reading it, the writer was in a stew,

because I told it like I saw

and bad grammar sticks in my craw!

 

I try to give a compliment to make a writer feel glad,

so the criticism doesn't make them feel sad.

It's a sugar and vinegar dose

and it usually works with most.

 

But this writer got really bent,

so if compliments are all you want sent,

give honest reviewers a sign,

next to the title, write-"I Whine".

Reviews

[wizthom]

like a frozen snake one thaws out,
only to be bitten for the deed ,
some people will talk out both sides of mouth,
say one thing to you , while doing another,
rather jealousy or envy which shell it be ,
when that person whines give them some cheese
why can't we all just be friends ,thumbs up, thumbs down,
to give an opinion under the pretense of review,
really makes me wonder if the person have a clue
for those with knowledge knows that your words are truth,
however the wise will always call you up on the lie,
only to hear you apologize that even you can be wrong
the faults we often see in others are the reflections of our fears,
in a imperfect world people will tend to always see the worst.
talking bout me talking bout you,talking bout knocking on heavens door ,
when all i said and this u agreed , what works for you may not work for me,,
so next time someone whines or calls you up on the carpet line,
tell them to come here first so you can hand them some cheese,,:-) peace wizthom

[dyl000]

People who ask people to review their work and then get defensive when they are offered suggestions for improvement drive me nuts

[Barbara Walker]

I know! I really do want than honest review from readers. One can't automatically know that their words are being understood by readers. All the applause means nothing if reviewers aren't honest and we can always use another set of eyes to help with reviewing for redundancy, spelling, etc. Thank you.

[C. Rose]

I completely agree.
Even if you put it into a compliment sandwich, sometimes they'll get defensive.
Or worse they'll claim you think emotion isn't important.
This poem made me feel better about those interactions.
Thanks for sharing :)

[Craig2591]

Ha! Well said. I actually haven't run into this problem, yet. But whenever I run into bad writing I always try to find at least one good thing to say and then try to point out a weakness or two. Sounds like you do the same. good for you! Too bad some people can't appreciate that.

(For the record, you are not one of those people with bad writing.)

[Frieda P]

Ha love the ending "I WHINE'...I try to take into account if English is their first language, but when they blatantly tell me to ignore it, I'll ignore the entire work...let's face it we all make mistakes but to alert me that you've already done so, is not good poetry....good one Barbara!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

without good honest feedback we never get better..

pats on the back are nice...but truth works better than that.

nicely written poem...and yes, that grammar and spelling thing...
i hear ya.

as soon as i see "ignore the grammar"
i click to the next writer.

jacob

[Dean Kuch®]

It's always nice to get a positive review of your work, no doubt about it. That is simply another writers way of rewarding you for a job well done. However, although no one particularly likes negative critiques, they are a very helpful tool that you can utilize to make your work even better than it was before. If we close our minds to what our readers want, the we are doomed to wallow in mediocrity and, eventually failure.

[Ravyne Hawke]

This is brilliantly written, Barbara.. I started a poetry workshop and when I explained fully to one new member how the workshop ran, she said all she wanted was reviews that she didn't want help with her work... *sighs* I hope all the decades of poets before us who worked so hard to make poetry popular have not all worked so in vain.. but I fear this new generation of poets will be our undoing.

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you kindly! I have to admit, there are some writings that I have been asked to review and I could not write a word. What do you say when diction is beyond bad, connotation is non existent, spelling is appalling and some contain extreme violence just for the sake of the violence? It's one of the rare times I am left speechless! LOL

[Ravyne Hawke]

I agree.. it's in those cases that you would end up rewriting their entire piece for them.. I've had a few ask me to review their work and I practically have rewritten it. I think we are a dying art, Barbara.. and I sincerely hope I am wrong.

[justjenn_2u]

I like your honesty here. We are all writers and we grow when we are able to take constructive critiscm.

Nice flowing poem with a good point that I am glad to see you aren't shy about posting. Way to go!

[Kaleidoscope Apocalypse]

Wow! I greatly enjoyed reading this piece! It made me laugh at the absurdity of the situation that we often times find ourselves trapped in. I agree with Kara, if we want to be writers and we are willing to publish our work on a site like this, we must be willing to accept some constructive criticism and better ourselves. Otherwise, what is the point, really?

Again, I must say, I loved reading this piece!

[Barbara Walker]

I want to clarify that this was written about a new writer. Barbara