WHAT MAKES A POEM GOOD?

1. FRESH IMAGES

Which lines contain fresh images? the blue or the red?

A POEM SHOULD BE PALPABLE AND MUTE

AS A GLOBED FRUIT.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.

2. VALUABLE INSIGHT

Which lines contain a valuable insight? the blue or the red?

DEATH, THOU SHALT DIE.

YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE LOTS OF FUN.

2. MUSIC THAT DOES NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO ITSELF

Which lines contain subtle rhythm? the blue or the red?

SOMEONE AT A TABLE UNDER A BROWN METAL LAMP

IS STUDYING THE HISTORY OF POETRY.

ONCE I WAS ANGRY.

ONCE I WAS BAD.

ONCE I WAS SILLY.

ONCE I WAS GLAD.

WHAT MAKES A POEM BAD?

1. SENTIMENTALITY

Which lines are too sentimental? the blue or the red?

HOW SWEET WAS MY AUNTIE--

HER KNITTING, HER CAT.

HER SMILE SO LOVING,

WHEREVER SHE SAT.

AUNTS WERE MEANT TO WEAR

THEIR HEARTS ACROSS THEIR FOREHEADS

TRIUMPHANT LIKE JESTERS AND KNIGHTS.

2. RHETORICAL, OVER-BLOWN LANGUAGE

Which lines contain language you would not use in ordinary conversation? the blue or the red?

THANKS FOR THE PLUMS

YOU LEFT ON THE WINDOWSILL.

I GOT THEM BEFORE THE BIRDS COULD.

SWIMS THE SWIMMNER AGAINST THE TIDE

OF AN EVENING, COLD AND BLUSTERY

WHO NEVER TO HIMSELF HATH SIGHED,

"MUST I DOOMED BE TO DIE, TO DIE?"

3. DIDACTIC, PREACHY

Which lines are preachy? the blue or the red?

LET YOUR CONVERSATION LINGER

LIKE A SWEETNESS ON THE EAR.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, SMILE AT STRANGERS,

GET TO HEAVEN, NEVER FEAR!

TO BE OR NOT TO BE--THAT IS THE QUESTION!

BE DYNAMIC