Paul Hansford

Paul Hansford Biography

I am an ex-teacher (of all ages from 3 to 18) , and a member of a Poetry Workshop group - so I have to write at least once a month! You will find all kinds of poetry here, extracted from many years of writing. There are set forms and free, humorous, serious, romantic... so if you keep looking you should find something you like! I have self-published 2 books which sell locally (at least covering my expenses) , and am working towards a third. Some individual pieces have been printed in magazines and newspapers (including the Daily Mail) , I have been invited to read my work at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature, and have won a couple of prizes for my poetry.

Paul Hansford Poems

The Best Poem Of Paul Hansford

*how To Critique A Poem

If you read somebody’s poem and it makes you want to say,
“I think this piece is wonderful; it really made my day, ”
just go ahead and say it – feedback like this is good,
but saying WHY you like it will please them (well, it should) .

If somebody you don’t know says, “Please comment on my writing, ”
and you look at it, and find it … let’s say, rather unexciting,
then don’t forget – be tactful, find something good to say
before you start on finding fault – don’t ruin someone’s day.

And if you think it’s terrible, be careful how you speak.
Some people write as therapy; their life may be quite bleak.
Don’t be too harshly critical and leave them feeling worse,
but simply go to look elsewhere, and just ignore their verse.

Some poems, though, may leave you with a puzzle or a question,
or even make you want to give some tentative suggestion.
There’s nothing wrong with doing this – just get it off your chest,
but don’t think your ideas are necessarily the best.

With members, though, who claim they are God’s gift to Poesy,
(if there’s nothing to commend them as far as you can see)
you can state your own opinion – of course you have the right –
but don’t forget the golden rule: be HONEST but POLITE.

AND …

If you’re wanting other members to read something that you wrote,
it isn’t so unusual if you send them a note
saying, “Honoured Sir or Madam, I hope that you’ll agree
to open up my pages and read my poetry.”

Now, if to ask me to read yours you still might feel inclined,
please comment something that I wrote (that’s if you wouldn’t mind) .
For I will tell you kindly that, before I read a line,
I’d be much more interested if YOU’d first read some of MINE.

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