Nils Teodor
I like to be inspired by other poets and feel their art blend into my own essence and from there something new blooms into words.
Thanks for sharing your view with us
your friend
N T
2012-07-09

I fully appreciate your sentiments expressed so well within this text. I would have to disagree with you though. As a writer (well, I I could call myself as such) I know the love of reading and understanding the works of another. I am not influenced in my own style and thoughts when I write by these great authors whom have gone before. I AM delighted to see the evolution of language and the use of words to describe a moment or thought; words that were unknown to me in my modern tongue.

I did enjoy reading this text and how well you made your point. How would I feel in years to come though, if my writing was never read? (at least my children and family would read me, I hope!)
2012-07-09

Elle
I have to agree with countryfog on this Ken - I've always written and no, I don't think the classic poets are influential but they and through my reading of them have introduced me to a world. We all share that same world, it is easy to feel intimadated by some writers but, why? Ken, read, write, love, live - it all helps and it doesn't matter how educated or uneducated or erudite or not erudite, it is in the heart and soul - I get you, I think Byron and Yeats etc would get you too :-)

Elle x
2012-07-08

countryfog
We are of different minds about this. I want to be influenced, read every poet, stand before every painting, follow the lines of every sculpture. I may be influenced, positively or negatively or indifferently, but every encounter is experiential and adds something to my understanding of art and life, and myself. It doesn't mean the expressions of my own simple art become derivative of someone else's, only informed by them. Besides, I doubt you need worry about being unduly influenced . . . you are too secure and articulate and unique in who you are.
2012-07-08