Concrete Detail

Throughout most of the rounds of workshop my poems lacked a certain need that is in poetry. This need was concrete detail, week after week I would hear my peers say my poem was decent but I lacked concrete detail. I feel, yes, my poem needed some concrete detail but I also had this perception that poetry was suppose to be abstract. I feel the reader is suppose to take what they want out of the poem and also create an image of what they want to see. That’s what makes poetry so likeable and personal, because even though the reader isn’t the author it can still feel personal with the reader.

I do not think concrete detail is a bad thing. I think it does create a scene for the reader and really draws in attention. I guess I feel I do not know how much is too much, but I obviously know what is too little. I suppose it is a matter of opinion to the reader. I personally like when poetry can feel personal to the reader and relatable too. But poetry tells a story and stories needs scenario, so it is understandable.