Ken’s review of The Snow Watcher: Poems > Likes and Comments

I do like the second poem, if there’s a vox pop happening. The squirrel crush seemed a little contrived.

Of the opinion here that too much of contemporary poetry is virtually unreadable. Not all- there are many gems- but the movement away from the universal to the self-referential is exhausting.

Thanks for the third poem, Ken. It may be about language, and the way language is written down, but I saw it as a painting on a canvas.

Nick wrote: "I do like the second poem, if there’s a vox pop happening. The squirrel crush seemed a little contrived."

Nick: Glad you liked one of the three, at least. I would say poetry is ridiculously subjective but, as we know, all writing is.

Julie wrote: "Of the opinion here that too much of contemporary poetry is virtually unreadable. Not all- there are many gems- but the movement away from the universal to the self-referential is exhausting."

Agreed, Julie. Some stuff I just can't wade through, and yet it merits publication in top-notch poetry pubs. And what you call "self-referential" is where we're at. It's like Identity Hell, sometimes. Navel gazing at its finest. I'd rather read about an oak gazing at its bark.

Fionnuala wrote: "Thanks for the third poem, Ken. It may be about language, and the way language is written down, but I saw it as a painting on a canvas."

FIonnuala: One of your strengths as a reader and reviewer is that visual connection to canvases. I reread it with that in mind!

The wordbirds -birdwords brought a yearning for winter, and snow, and turning white pages with mysterious poems late a night. Beautiful poem.

Poor squirrel :(

Ilse wrote: "The wordbirds -birdwords brought a yearning for winter, and snow, and turning white pages with mysterious poems late a night. Beautiful poem.

Poor squirrel :("

I just missed one while driving to the barber today! Some are artful dodgers who have read Dickens. Others wear fur coats designed by tire factories.