Metacognition: Poetry Revision

I enjoy poetry. I really do. And I must say, I like writing it a lot more than analyzing it. When you get to write it yourself, you can choose exactly what you want it to mean, no ambiguity, a definite (or at least mostly definite) solution. As Mr. Allen probed my writing and asked questions, it helped me find things to make better, even though it was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience. Sometimes it almost felt like I was pushing it too hard, adding too much of a good thing, whether in the form of imagery or explanation.

In this week's revision, I was informed that I needed to change some whole phrases and continue adding imagery. I was surprised at the latter comment, because I thought I had put in plenty, but doing my job as a dutiful student, I filled it to the brim with cinematic/theatrical vocabulary. I actually looked some up online to include, and added a new piece to a section of repetition. While changing the phrases that Mr. Allen deemed unnecessary or just plain wrong, I found some new ways to include alliteration and internal rhyme.

When I looked over my poem before turning it in, I wasn't sure what his response would be. There were a few things I had not changed because I was confused by what Mr. Allen wanted me to do with them, and to me, it felt I had overused the theatre terms a little bit. However, I received some very positive feedback from him and I'm looking forward to what else I can do to make the poem the best it can be.

I think, at first, I thought of my original poem as my precious creation, my baby, and I didn't really want anyone else telling me what was wrong with it. Even after the first revision, I thought, "Alright, it is fine now. We don't need to change it anymore." Looking back, I'm a bit surprised about how apprehensive I was to change it; I was thinking that I wanted the poem to be 100% mine and complete. Although I'm not totally used to the changes I'm making, I now understand that these revisions will ultimately make my poem, as well as future poetry I write, higher quality (and that Mr. Allen knows best).