Reflecting on Work Shop

Workshop yielded a lot of interesting observations. The contrast between how the author intended the poem to read and how other classmates read it was intriguing. I feel as though I have a very strong sense of rhythm. Trying to notate it and force the reader to read how I originally intended has been a struggle. The second reading rarely seemed to be quick enough. I feel it was very beneficial to be exposed to such an array of writers. Some poems really resonated with me while other went over my head. It was fun trying to solve why certain things went over well with me. One of the most common recommendations was to increase specificity and to leave out rhyming. I’m especially fond of rhyming; I have come to terms that it doesn’t suit every poem. A lack of rhyme can help a poem have a more natural feel and give the writer greater freedom in word choice. Rhyme can also serve as a distraction and lessen the seriousness of a piece. The majority of the time I find rhyme to help with rhythm and generally be entertaining. I’m an avid supporter of concrete detail. Specificity is needed to vividly illustrate concepts and makes poems seem real. However too much specificity limits the interpretations of a poem, and can hinder the reader from making meaningful personal connections. I feel at least a small amount should always be left to the imagination.