In the poetry world, is it best to speak what you think of others, or to hold your tongue? If you criticize, you will draw fire, which in effect is to think things and keep thoughts to yourself. If enough people don't speak up, the mob rules, and certainly the mob rules in poetry. Just read the last few issues of Poetry, the magazine. Utter nonsense. Apparently it isn't politically correct to be negative to other's work: it is their work, therefore it is fine. Maybe there is wisdom in this. Creative people can just go forward, developing as they go, but then do they hear the truth? If truth is not presented, can any endeavor be true?

What is true and so forth, an endless nothing. Maybe people just don't want to hear the truth, especially poets, who are great illusionists at defending their own lies with pride, ego, as they scribble nonsense over and over.

Damn fake flowers. So many fake flowers.