zalena | Letters to a Young Poet

I am in the rather frustrating position of being solicited for advice/criticism by a young poet. His poetry is incredibly bad and really more appropriate for someone 15 than it is 22. He is isolated from other artists and not particularly well read.

It is time for him to get past the 'yay! you can express yourself!' phrase and start getting involved in the critical cycle. He is not in school, though I plan to recommend some kind of Free University community group (though I'm not sure that will help, it will at least give him outlet and some kind of feedback that does not = me.)

However, what I think would help most (and what I often ask young writers, "What are you reading?") is engagement with other texts. Most of what he reads is smarmy metaphysical/business texts. And it really shows in his poetry. (Who knows, with that approach, we could have another best seller on our hands!)

So where do I recommend he start? Obviously this is not the time to break out the Baudelaire, though ultimately I believe that's the direction in which he's heading. He has a pretty heavy metaphysical load (also something he needs to lighten up) and too much abstract language. He really needs to work on imagery and (I believe) form, though he might not be open, or ready, for the later.

Imagine we are dealing with someone who can read, but who is functionally illiterate. He has no background or relationship to any kind of literature, (well, perhaps Dean R. Koontz) and yet, wants to be a writer.

Where do you tell someone like this to start? It would be one thing if I really was dealing with someone fourteen; but he's twenty-two and extremely sensitive to condescension. At this point I'm more interested in giving him something truly helpful than I am protecting his feelings.

Note: blessedly, this is not someone any of you have met