I have to confess that while I love to write, I have never been able to understand a good deal of poetry much less write any poetry that I thought was very good. Over dinner the other night, Karen and I were reading from our book of dinner prayers, and we came across a poem that we both thought was awful. We agreed that in our humble opinions, it was “Bad” poetry.
It is very difficult to call anything “Bad” poetry. I have sat through many writing sessions where someone brought in poetry samples, and I thought to myself “Bad” poetry. When everyone applauded, I of course felt very humbled and guilty. Perhaps, I am just a barbarian. A Luddite who really does not understand what good poetry is. There seem to be what I might call “poetry snubs” who proclaim poetry as the highest art form in literature. Only morons and the uneducated and unwashed would call anything “Bad” poetry.
However, being the logical person, I think myself to be, it stands to reason that if something can be good than something can be bad. I decided once again to turn the question over to my favorite muse these days and ask ChatGPT the question: “How does one tell good poetry from Bad poetry.” I actually thought that it might reply, “Stupid question John, there is no such thing as “Bad” poetry. Much to my surprise and delight it answered my question with the following replies. First, here is what ChatGPT said about “ Good” Poetry:
Signs of Good Poetry
- Emotional Impact
- It moves you, surprises you, or makes you feel something new or deeply familiar.
- It lingers in your mind after reading.
- Fresh Language
- It avoids clichés and uses original images or phrases.
- Common experiences are made new through metaphor, simile, or unexpected word choices.
- Strong Structure or Form
- Whether free verse or formal (like a sonnet), it has internal rhythm, pacing, and flow.
- It uses line breaks, stanza shape, or sound devices with purpose, not at random.
- Layers of Meaning
- It offers depth—something you can re-read and interpret in more than one way.
- There’s often subtext, symbolism, or ambiguity that invites reflection.
- Sound and Musicality
- It reads well aloud: rhythm, alliteration, assonance, and other sonic qualities enhance the meaning.
- Good poetry doesn’t sound flat or awkward—even free verse has rhythm.
- Precision and Economy
- Every word counts—no filler. Good poets can say more with less.
- The language is intentional, not just pretty or verbose.
I was very pleased with the above list that I received to my query. These made a great deal of sense to me. Not being a total Luddite, there are in fact many poems that I do like. I then asked ChatGPT to write me a “good” poem about two elderly lovers, one of whom was dying. Here is the poem that Chat wrote:
“Still, You Hold My Hand”
We do not walk as quickly now,
our steps are slow, but still in tune—
two shadows stretching side by side
beneath the silver hush of moon.
The clock has softened all our lines,
our hair grown thin, our fingers bent,
but what we’ve lost in strength or speed
we’ve found again in time well spent.
You lie here now, your breath a thread,
the light behind your eyes grown dim.
I hold your hand, recall the days
when we would go on every whim.
Do you remember, love, the spring—
the daffodils, the borrowed car?
We chased the sun across the hills
and kissed beneath a falling star.
Your voice was once an angelic bell
that called me in from any spree.
Even now, though faint and frail,
its echo still brings peace to me.
I talk, though I don’t know you hear;
you smile at things I cannot see.
But when our fingers intertwine,
I feel you’re still right here with me.
So rest, my love. I’ll hold your hand
until the last small breath is through.
And if there’s more beyond this veil,
I’ll walk there slowly… back to you.
I made a few changes to the above poem, but otherwise I thought it was very good. Now, we come to the part about “Bad” poetry. The following are characteristics are what ChatGPT said were Signs of “Bad” Poetry.
⚠️ Signs of Bad Poetry
- Clichés and Predictability
- Uses worn-out phrases like “my heart is broken,” “the stars above,” “a love like a rose,” etc.
- You know how it ends after the first few lines.
- Flat or Forced Rhyme
- Rhymes are predictable or awkward, sacrificing meaning for the sake of sound.
- It reads like a greeting card instead of a crafted work.
- Vague or General Language
- Lacks vivid imagery or specific detail.
- Talks about feelings without showing them through actions or concrete images.
- Lack of Rhythm or Flow
- Feels choppy or randomly broken up.
- The poem’s form doesn’t add anything to the message.
- Overuse of Adjectives or Adverbs
- Tries too hard to sound poetic without real substance.
- “The extremely beautiful shining golden sun rose splendidly” = cluttered.
I asked ChatGPT to give me an example of “Bad” poetry based on the following idea. A man who would be king. Can you imagine who I might have had in mind? Here is the “Bad” poem that Chat wrote. I think she did a good job of describing “he who shall remain nameless.”
“Absolutely. Here’s a deliberately bad poem—complete with clunky rhyme, mixed metaphors, awkward phrasing, forced rhythm, and shallow content. It’s meant to be humorous in how poorly it’s constructed:”
“The Man Who Would Be King (Someday Maybe)”
He woke up late, ate moldy bread,
Put a chicken hat upon his head.
Declared aloud with mighty tone,
“I think I’ll sit upon the throne!”
His suit was blue, his tie was red,
He dreamed of ruling folks in bed.
“I’ll ride a cow into the war!”
(He’d never left for war before.)
The people laughed and called him Blob,
He called himself “King Corn-on-the-Cob.”
He made a sword out of old ham,
And practiced battle on a clam.
“I shall be feared from east to west!”
He yelled while pounding on his chest.
But tripped and fell into a bush—
A squirrel proclaimed, “You royal tush!”
His kingdom vast, inside his head,
With loyal troops (all made of bread).
He ruled his yard, his fans approved,
Until the cat said, “You’re removed.”
Considering the subject matter, I actually liked this “Bad” poem. I thought it fit “you know who” very well. So let me finish with Chat’s “Tips to Evaluate a Poem.” I hope all you poetry lovers out there have found something useful in my blog this week.
👂 Tips to Evaluate a Poem
- Read it aloud – Does it flow? Does the sound match the subject?
- Ask what it’s really about – Is there a deeper idea or emotion?
- Notice what’s not said – Good poems leave room for you to think or feel.
- Try rewriting it – If you can improve it easily, it probably needs work.
- Test time – Does it still move you after reading it twice, or a week later?
Aging Capriciously 