Write a poem in which the seasons play a role

Today I received a nasty email about my site. It was a short, condescending note about grammar and spelling errors that the person had found in my articles. The person gave no examples. I can only assume that the errors that person perceived are actual errors. The main thrust of the note seemed to be that if I can’t write perfectly, I shouldn’t dare write about writing. It was a hurtful note, and the main reason why today’s post is a little late. I’m more sensitive than many people think, and it is hard for me to easily shake off such a nasty start to the day.

I am thankful that the people who follow this blog are generally kind. They are supportive of writing, of me, and of each other. This is especially true of the poetry project participants. I normally write a post at the beginning of the poetry project telling people to be kind and helpful in their criticism. This year I did not, and to everyone’s credit, no one has had a harsh word to say. I should point out that the person who wrote the nasty note was not here for poetry or this project. Still, this seems like a good time to discuss the difference between helpful criticism and hurtful criticism.

Helpful criticism focuses on the problem, not the person. Remember that people are proud of their creations, even when they say they are not. It is human nature to take pride in what you create. People make errors. People have different styles. People have different subjects that they like to write about. None of these things makes one person inherently better than another person. If you have advice to give, be sure it is advice that is based on their work, not their lifestyle.

Helpful criticism is specific. If you spot a misspelling or a typographical error, tell the person what it is. Don’t just tell the person that there is an error. If you think someone used a cliché or that a line in their poem is poorly written, tell them what line did not work for you, don’t condemn the whole poem. If you do dislike an entire poem, don’t expect to fix everything. Point out one aspect of the poem that can be improved and (if you can) give an example of how it can be improved.

Helpful criticism is not a demand. No matter how important you think it is that someone does things your way, be prepared for them to take their own path. Human beings are like that. Even you are like that.

Thank you for your understanding today.

Today’s Poetry Prompt

September 21^st is the last day of summer in the northern hemisphere and the last day of winter in the southern hemisphere. With that in mind, write a poem in which the seasons play a role.

The Last Day of Summer in Red Rock

It is still hot
It will be for a while
Maybe on Halloween
I will need a jacket
At night

Today I am sweating
Walking a desert path at noon
The flies and gnats
Sniffing but not tasting
My bare legs
As the temperature
Plays with an even
Hundred degrees
I keep my mouth clamped closed
To maintain the moisture
There is dust in the air
Keeping down the other smells
Drying out my nose
And tickling my lungs
My new white walking shoes
Aren’t quite as pristine
As they were out of the box
A few minutes ago
Clean and firm
I don’t feel the rocks
The way I did last spring
Before I gave in
To temperatures well above
Even this
I have eight months now
To walk the desert
To stare at blue skies without dread
To leave the house
Whenever I feel like being outside