Some General Thoughts on Despair, Suicide, and Angst Poetry - Page 2 - Writers Forum

journyman161 · 07-06-2005, 07:57 PM

Maybe we need a venting forum where people can post things they have to get out & no critique is expected?

The only thing I can see against it would depend on how important it is to get read when the work is an outpouring.

Also, would many go there to read?

I must admit, when I read something I feel is simply an exposure of pain or angst, I often either move on or leave a msg of sympathy rather than maybe hurting them further by pointing out problems with the structure etc.

07-06-2005, 08:40 PM

i think that's a pretty good idea j-man... at least worth a drop in the suggestion box... if you have the time...

vodka

mswietek · 07-06-2005, 08:47 PM

J -

Not a bad idea. An alternative is to place a note at the front of the poem saying "I am not looking for a critique, just wanted to share". A few people have done this in the past, and it has seemed to work well.

Michael

journyman161 · 07-06-2005, 08:53 PM

Well, it would depend on 2 things... Is the act of posting enough to quiet the pain or sadness for the writer or does it require them being read? I don't know. For mine, I really want the comments on my work, but I'm not posting angst creations.
Maybe, like writing a letter pouring out all your anger at someone then never sending it, the act of posting it there would be enough.

Would there be readers enough who would go & read in the angst section? My feeling is there might very well be; it would be the WF version of soap operas, where folk could go to view the turmoil of others.
You would also have those who feel down themselves who may want to go & read, just to be comforted by the fact they aren't alone.

mammamaia · 07-07-2005, 08:44 AM

in re the separate section idea, that presupposes that all who write the 'angsty' stuff know it's not good enough to be considered seriously as poetry by others... and, from what i see posted, i don't think that's the case with most, if not all of those folks...

people who post such works seem to honestly think it's as worthy of being considered 'poetry' as anything else that's posted, so i don't see who'd be using the suggested new board, do you?...

or, am i missing something?

Oracle · 07-07-2005, 08:23 PM

Well said, mswietek. I've got a buttload of angsty writing sitting around, but I've never intented for it to be read by anyone. It was purely therapeutic, and it worked wonders. I wouldn't dream of sticking it on WF. It's horrible writing.

Most angsty poems just piss me off... Especially when people use lines to the effect of, "You have no idea what it's like to feel this pain". When people get all whiny and selfish, they act like they're the only person in the world who's got it bad. Everybody has something in their life that sucks, and no matter how bad someone think's they've got it, there's always someone who has it way worse.

07-08-2005, 01:45 PM

how empathetic of you.

one wonders, who exactly does have it the absolute worst in the world?

until that's discovered, i guess everyone should just be happy.

vodka

mswietek · 07-10-2005, 03:33 PM

I think its true that there is always someone out there who has it tougher than you, I also think that poery which disrespects it audience ( "You've never felt pain like mine") is plain bad poetry.

However, that does not mean that unless you have had an absolutely crappy life you don't deserve to write angst poetry. There are lots of little disappointments, trials, and tribulations which can prove extremely furtile for well written poetry. Sharing these bumps in life can create a sense of connection with the audience, and a sense of shared experience.

Think about it, no one says you shouldn't write happy poetry just because there are people happier than you.