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[ellajam]

I came across this the other day when checking my early posts to see if as a mod I would have deleted them.

It really helped me get started, although I was unable to suggest changes for the better I started by identifying specifically what I liked.

Hi, I'm a newbie here and am working on having something constructive to say about other people's poems. Does the rule on not commenting just to say "Wow, great" apply throughout the whole site?

I came across this:
http://www.pigpenpoetry.com/showthread.php?tid=11605
in Miscellaneous Poetry, over 100 views no comment. If no one wants to change a word, no comment.

I am in no way criticizing your rules, just want to attempt to apply them correctly.

Just found the site today and really like the feel of it. Hope this was the correct place to ask this.

The rules on criticism only apply to the critical forums, replies in miscellaneous can be pretty much anything on or off topic.

We do ask that you give substantial comment before posting your own work, and, of course in the critical forums, other than that, run wild.

Just an addition to my earlier reply as I now read your full question - just because you think a poem is perfect is no reason you can't comment in depth.  You can comment on what /does/ work for you, what you took from the poem, appreciation for poetic devices, etc.

Thank you, milo.