A long time ago, i sent some duff words typed to an esteemed academic in Scotland. His response was curt and incisive - he thought my work was not poetry.

I was gutted;

Over time, I have come to understand that his view - that to write poetry, you need first to appreciate the cues and form in much the same way as a person would learn the notes and keys of the piano if music was to be created.

Aside from the pomposity which could easily be eyebrowed within such an observation from Scotland, I understand now, after having researched many past and contemporary poets, that time and industry is needed if you wish to craft.

so my question is this - at what point does a person consider themselves a poet?

I concidered
myself
one-right
...1916...NOW!

Interesting observation Steve, ties in with the idea of what is 'decent' - as in good, very competent etc etc - don't want to be misunderstood - poetry? And, who says what is 'decent poetry' and what isn't 'decent poetry'?

Here we go again.
Was Emin's unmade bed art? Of course it wasn't until some rich idiot said it was and paid an inordinate amount of money for her other stuff.
Poetry is far more difficult to understand, categorize and criticize than art.
What is important is that poetry requires balance to really float. Get balance and in general the poetry is good. Time will tell if it's great.

Emin's bed was art when somebody put it in a gallery and called it art. Not when it was sold to some "rich idiot." Art, since Duchamp, has including the "readymade" and the "assemblage" for years. You don't have to like it, that's just how it is.

As to when you get to call yourself a poet: you can call yourself anything you like, anytime you like. As to whether you're a good poet or a bad poet, that's a different question.

Taking on board much of what Steven has said, is there any mileage in running a Discussion thread on who each of us (the bloggers etc) believes to be a 'good/great' poet and the title of a poem by that poet
It may be interesting to see differing views, but it may also be quite educational i.e. giving ideas of poets that we may not otherwise have come across.
If this is of interest, could I suggest that the 'good/great' poet and poem does not appear on WOL Profiles or Blogs, and therefore new to us.

Steve - I'm just about to start a discussion of favourite poems