I met with a Professor here at Syracuse last week who gave me some advice on getting into a creative writing masters program. He said that what he looks for in poetry is "voice." He looks for the author to be present in his/her poetry. He looks to see if the themes obviously mean something to the author and that he is being genuine about what's being written. He wants to see the poet having chose his direction and is moving down that path.
I know that I have a few themes I like to write about (my quirks, my need to solve every problem and be correct, my home life, my views on religion..etc.) but I don't know if I show through in my work or not. I hope that people can see me in my poems...and perhaps see something in themselves because what good is writing if you are the only person that you are writing for?
Anyways just contemplating as to whether or not I come off as genuine or fraudulent, and also if I'm good enough to do what this professor is asking.
*I am going to be totally late for work now.
I never really learned to appreciate poetry so I have not read much in my life, but I enjoy yours. I never liked the stuff that was so obscure that I felt stupid not knowing what the poet was trying to say. So, write on!!! One professors opinion should not make or break your enjoyment of writing. It is only one opinion. The only opinion that should count is yours. Write from the heart and you can never go wrong.
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