Monthly Archives: April 2022

Responding to Criticism

Whilst out walking yesterday, I bumped into an acquaintance.
“I like your poems. I’m not sure about the limericks though”.

His comment concerning my latest collection “Leaving and Other Poems” made me smile. I appreciate good honest feedback and that is what I received.

I could have pointed out that others have said how much they enjoy my humorous verses, (which indeed they have). However, I said words to the following effect:
“I’m really pleased you like my poems”.
We chatted for a while about other matters, then we both went our separate ways.

I have seen other authors/poets become defensive when their writing is critiqued however gentle the criticism is. Whilst I completely understand why writers adopt this position – they have slaved long and hard over their computer to produce their work – not everyone is going to like everything you have written, and as authors/poets we need to accept this fact with grace and keep writing.

Some criticism is fair criticism and needs to be taken on the chin. We can (and should) learn from it. Where criticism becomes unacceptable is when it turns to personal attacks on the author or their family and friends. But provided it focuses on the writing it is fair as, once a book is out there it is no longer the sole property of the author. Of course he/she retains copyright, however readers have every right to interpret a book they have read as they wish.

In the case of my acquaintance, I am delighted he likes my “poems”, and I understand that my brand of humour is not to everyone’s taste. Indeed some readers dislike humorous verse in it’s entirety and they do, of course have every right to do so.

As always, I would be interested in the views of my readers.

(“Leaving and Other Poems” is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback and can be found here, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-other-poems-Kevin-Morris-ebook/dp/B09R8NG6WQ).

Kevin

Writing is an illness?

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One of my favourite poets, Ernest Christopher Dowson was an alcoholic, a frequenter of the world’s oldest profession and died at the age of 30. Did he have a mental disorder? Quite possibly. However, in the final analysis what matters is that Dowson composed some fine poetry.

Mental illness is widespread. However the vast majority of those with mental health issues do not write and are not creative in other areas (for example as painters).

Many factors may cause a person to be creative. An appreciation of beauty coupled with parents who helped to foster creativity in the growing child may lead to him/her putting pen to paper. The creator may or may not have a mental health condition.

I also wonder whether one could conjecture (on the basis of this research) that anyone with an obsession (and writing is an obsession) has a mental health condition? Does the person who scours the internet for hours in search of rare stamps or coins have a mental health condition?

Kevin

Have We Had Help?

So, science has just worked out that anyone who shows any kind of creativity is suffering from a mental disorder. Where do they get these notions from?Lala land?

In a recent article on the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19959565 entitled “Creativity closely entwined with mental illness” it was pointed out that writers have a higher risk of anxiety and bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, unipolar depression, and substance abuse, according to a team of researchers at the Swedish Karolinska Institute, led by Dr Simon Kyaga.

It went on to say that anyone who is in the least bit ‘creative’ is almost twice as likely to kill themselves; far more than the general population. According to the researchers, creativity is often part of a mental illness, with writers being particularly susceptible.

Thanks a lot folks; that maybe explains why I am so driven to write. It’s a funny thing but I’ve never ever thought of writing…

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The Tombstones Stand Out White

Freedom

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I hear the free
Wind,
And the birds sing.
And long to be
Free
As the unconquerable wind
And birds
That sing.

When I Attended a Large Swingers Convention

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When I attended a large swingers convention
I sensed a good deal of tension.
My friend bishop Hocking
Stole the vicar’s stocking,
But the rest I’d better not mention …!

There Once Was a Vampire Named Keith

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There once was a vampire named Keith
Who, on losing some of his teeth,
Visited a dentist called Lake,
Who used a great stake,
Which ended both Keith and his teeth!

Claire’s Improper Suggestion

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When a young lady named Claire
Said, “lets all have an affair!”,
I said to Miss Hocking,
“That is really quite shocking!”.
But Hocking was busy with Claire!

The Trees Have Been Cut Back

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The trees have been cut back.
The woods lack
The interplay of dark and light.
Day and night
The foxes bark in the park
Nearby, and I
Think of owls in the churchyard,
And nature who
Grows through
Our abandoned yards.

#poetryreading: Poets in the Blogosphere

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Elizabeth Gauffreau

**Click on image to register for the reading.**

The theme for National Poetry Month 2022 is There’s A Poem in This Place. Two places to find contemporary poetry at its most vibrant are in the blogging community and at live readings. On 23 April 2022 from 4-5:30 PM ET, the two places come together when a select group of poets from the blogosphere present a live reading of their poetry at Poets in the Blogosphere. Most poetry is meant to be read aloud, and hearing poets read their own work is a heightened experience. The event is moderated by Elizabeth Gauffreau. #NationalPoetryMonth #blogpoetsread2022