How to give critical feedback

I am not going to tell you how to do it. I have made dreadful mistakes in judging peoples poetry, I have caused offense, probably driven off poets off great potential, certainly been dismisive when I could have been helpful. But I have tried, always, to help people find their voice.

This forum should be about how to encourage talent and  help it the less talented improve.

Not one persons opinion will be the right answer but I would like to quote Frost Smith when he says "when it comes to the less experienced we should be helping; say what you mean, mean what you say but don’t say it meanly"

This forum should help the shape of NeoPoet. To those who haven't the personal courage to criticise when necessary, I say this might not be the right place for you.. There are plenty of other poetry websites for flattery.

So go for your lives. Make this work. Neopoet is in crisis between becoming a bland nothing and a useful and inspiring place for poets who don't think they are god.

Above all trust yourself. If something in a poem doesn't work for you, say so. The poet doesn't have to agree.

But remember, on this site,the best possible reply you can get to a comment on someones poem is something like "thanks for your comment, truly appreciated, I did (or did not ) change  it, I appreciate your thoughtful read.

Comments like "I liked it" or "I hated it" are crap.

cheers

Jess