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LynnFromCT
Member
since 2008-02-18
Posts 53
CT, USA

0 posted 2008-02-29 10:45 PM



I hope that folks aren't offended by I have trouble commenting on poems that don't rhyme. I have ADD and I lose track, can't concentrate on free verse poetry. I will continue to try to read it, and to comment when I can.

I can comment on grammatical errors, or typos. but the poem itself - most times I don't understand them.

I will comment on any rhyming poems I come across.  I am a rhyming poet who focuses mainly on current events. those I like to throw in a few fun poems.

I have been writing since I was 12. and have written over 600 poems, and 26 short stories.

If you have any ideas on how I can learn to critique free verse poems, I would gladly read any ideas that might help me.

L. Racaniello

© Copyright 2008 L.Ottanio - All Rights Reserved
Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
1 posted 2008-03-01 04:05 AM


Lynn... I like you just how you are !   love RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 2008-03-01 08:44 PM


Lynn,I don't have ADD and I have trouble understanding it, too!
TomMark
Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
3 posted 2008-03-01 10:04 PM


me too, esp the one with iambic feet and well rhymed.  And

ADD, well, many have been wrongly diagnosed in the last 30 years and many school children have been given unnecessary medicines.  

LynnFromCT
Member
since 2008-02-18
Posts 53
CT, USA
4 posted 2008-03-02 07:15 AM


I am 41 yrs old.  In school I was called by teachers an unruly kid because I couldn't or IN THEIR MINDS: WOULDN'T pay attention.

I have ritalin but I don't have job outside the house, because of my agoraphobia - I rarely leave the sanctuary of my bedroom except perhaps to SHOP at odd hours when most people aren't out.

So for being home the Ritalin makes me too focused... I dont know if that makes any sense or not.

but i will keep reading the poems, and commenting on the ones I feel I have something of worth to add.

LadyTom
Member
since 2008-02-29
Posts 353
LA, CA
5 posted 2008-03-02 10:48 AM


Dear LynnFromCT, I am sorry to hear that. And since you are an adult now, just pay a little attention to the side effect of Ritalin.  

Brain is a very mysterise organ and it does has strong power to adjust itself and constantly  being developed by all new informations. So, try to read free verse 4 lines a time. You will get them, you will. Many poets here write beautiful free verses.

Forget how your school teacher labeled you. I have known several kids like this. You know, Children's brain are in developing stage. Some develop to certain stage early, some late. Have you read that many so called "ADD" are extremely smart and successful in later life? (you write beautiful poems, you know)

Shyness  is one of human character. But go out to social will bring some fun in life. So Try to develop your self more. I am developing my poem writing in my brain.  

And I don't like shopping too. When I was young, I often develop stomach pain when shopping. If you go out more, you will eventually get rid the fear. Try it!!
have a nice day!

Kellie_Cantrell
Senior Member
since 2002-05-22
Posts 1667
New York
6 posted 2008-04-23 08:23 PM


Lynn,
I have ADHD, I sometimes can't sit still long enough to read a whole poem! I totally understand where you are coming from. You don't have to like any specific genre of poetry, if you read poetry that is enjoyable to you thats all that really matters.  Tips for reading with ADD, take it slow. If you don't understand something don't hesitate to ask questions.

-Kellie

Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina
7 posted 2008-04-24 11:58 AM


Hey Lynn,

   Ahh, don't worry about it. I have ADD and more anxiety issues than you can shake a pharmacist at and all I write is free verse. I always thought that free verse and beat poetry was designed for those of us who have... sporadic... attention spans. If you're a traditional poet then you should be proud of that. Different strokes for unlike blokes, do what you like and hang onto whatever floats your boat.  


All the best...


"Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert E.

Bob K
Member Elite
since 2007-11-03
Posts 4208

8 posted 2008-04-24 07:59 PM




     Try reading stuff out loud.  Try reading stuff that you're pretty sure is good free verse, that way you won't have the problem of trying to understand stuff that other folks have trouble with too.  There's a series of books in paperback Guest edited every year by a different contemporary poet.  I don't always agree with the choices, myself, but overall they're understandable.  Try reading them out loud or having somebody else read them out loud into a tape recorder.  That way you can replay them and let a sense of the meaning build up in your head at talking speed instead of your trying to glue it together like a house built up out of glued together toothpicks.  Learn to think of the poem as a whole thing and feel how the whole thing feels and fits instead of trying to get it one tiny piece at a time.  It uses a different part of your brain.

     Try any or all of these suggestions, try none of them, but only try the ones that sound like fun or sound like a real way in for you.  I don't want to build walls, I want to build roadways and channels for refreshment to flow through.

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