Poetry in Progress: Where to share?

So I’ve taken to writing poetry. Or, rather, my spirit has taken to sharing pieces that I’ve randomly written over the years.

I’ve only just begun to bring my private work to the public. And I’d love to do it more often.

That’s why, for various reasons, I’ve been looking at what it takes for my work to be featured in a literary journal.

Most of the reputable ones that I’ve reviewed want you to submit work that hasn’t been previously published. Meaning, your poetry cannot have appeared in another literary journal. But I’ve also noticed journals going on to explain that your work cannot have appeared online in places such as your personal website, or social media. 

In this era of Instapoetry, that’s bound to cramp someone’s style. 

And for a little while, I’ve felt conflicted. I know what the establishment’s rules are. But deep down, I don’t want to be punished if one day I decide to spontaneously share my material.   

Finding poetic freedom

Last week I was relieved to find Button Poetry. They seem to be a legitimate organization. They also seem to understand that art can’t always be contained in an overly-formal box. For example, if you share your work online, that won’t lead them to dismiss your work.

Meanwhile, much of my poetry is still under development. I’m dusting off old pieces and surprising myself with new ones. I don’t yet know what will become of this new era of my writing, but whether I share it on a stage, or an online page, I know one thing for sure: My artistic freedom must supersede everything.

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Photo by Ksenia Makaganova, featuring a quote by Mary Oliver.