Criticism With an Edifying Spirit by Chad S Sides
Originally published in The Crossing, 1998
Also available at
The
biggest compliment anyone can give me is to tell me they enjoyed reading or
hearing my poetry. I value this over praise of my speaking voice or any prose I
write. It is because poetry is the only thing I don't do for an audience. I
write for myself and for God. I never sit down with ‘What will others think
when they read this?’ on my mind. I just write until I feel a sense of
completion.
I do
appreciate constructive criticism from poets I respect because I know I can
always improve, but this is usually done in a setting where I am also
criticizing the other poet. If I can't take it I shouldn't be giving it….
Criticism given with an edifying spirit is easily swallowed; it must stem from
knowledge, be delivered in love, and be accompanied by praise of the good. It
also keeps the ego in check, if it's not out of hand already.