Oh, I loved this piece so much. Your musings on how our society engages with art in the modern era are pretty much spot on. Why go to poetry looking for autobiography? We should go to poetry looking for a feeling, an experience, a story, a truth that might not be The Truth but is still a truth.
Reading this immediately after I wrote a comment talking about how I identified with your work feels like the universe striking me down for my hubris. My bad...
people are only getting dumber it seems!! I was working on a piece about YA’s popularity and found that in America the majority of adults have below a 6th grade reading level. 😬😬
That’s rough. Sometimes when I see what people are reading on Tik Tok, I get disappointed. Though, starting with YA to get into books is a good place to start. But then we need to start consuming different types of books to get a taste of the world!
Easily the best Substack piece I've read in a while. Oh Amal, no one does it like you. This was stellar. Thank you. Wish I had something fun to comment like a particularly engaged student who shows off just how well they've been listening in class, but you've covered everything perfectly already!
I only discovered Richard Siken's work today, and in searching the internet for more of it, I found this post.
I was surprised to find how much this post had to say about me as a writer, too, and feelings that I've felt as someone who is semi-well-known in a very tiny corner of the internet and fields a lot of the same types of questions, of flippance, of people speaking to me as if they are owed more of me than what I've written.
Thank you for putting this to words. I really appreciate this piece, and I thank you truly for writing it.
Hello Kelsie, first of all, I am so happy you’ve stumbled upon Richard Siken’s work. He is a brilliant, innovative writer, and I just know his pieces will hold your hand tightly and affect you deeply.
You are so kind with your words, and I’m glad my ideas rang true to your experience.
Thank you so much for reading <3 I wish you the best!
i really liked this piece. i saw the responses to richard siken’s tweet on my own feed and have felt emotions to this myself despite not having read his work though perchance I shall give him a read for this new year. i would often feel these thoughts with musicians and the storytelling behind their work. Often times, I would go to Genius looking for the story and see what was truth and what wasn’t but I eventually learned to take in the music for what it is and how it affects me. Though Tiktok has brought a peculiar feeling to people posting videos or thirst traps to songs that have such introspective lyrics. I despise it yet i wondered if it provided somewhat streams to an artist then shouldn’t that be enough? I have no answers, merely thoughts but thank you again for writing this piece.
Thank you so much for reading, Aniya. I deeply recommend Siken's work - his voice is so human, so raw, so real. I believe the people always speaking to him on twitter (and getting angry at him for his responses) are merely hoping to connect with him, but forgetting that every author is estranged from their work in someway. Separated. Sometimes we think poets have all the answers to our questions, but unfortunately, that's not true.
This was amazing like I'm not even surprised at this point, I went into this knowing it was going to be great. I loved your analysis and observations and I agree fully. I think it's time we all realise being someone's 'fan' doesn't excuse your prying and disrespectful behaviour. Everyone can say they like xyz artist or that they enjoy xyxs writing, but a real fan. A real reader. A true one, would never ask such insensitive questions or behave inappropriately. Parasocial relationships are unhealthy but I agree that sometimes it just happens, what I don't agree w, is using that made up relationship as an excuse to bash or hate on said celebrity/writer/artist, etc. You highlight a very important issue in today's society but with such...tenderness? I've seen essays on people being 'too sensitive' and for me, when it comes down to such subjective things like emotion and relationships, I don't like people stating it like hard facts or like people's feelings are some political debate. There's always exceptions there's always reasoning. And you've talked about the problem at hand without being insensitive and I think that just shows the kind of person and writer you are. A person who can consider emotion yet also point out bad behaviour, then express all that with such well written words uts really like very impressive and tysm for writing this. First substack post around thus topic that I actually agreed with fully and you've influenced me into getting Crush by Richard Siken. If it ruins my life then ty aswell. Loved this sm Amal sorry for long ass comment. Love you too. ♡♡♡
I am so glad I came off as tender, that means so much to me and it was definitely my hope when I posted this. I agree with all your points so deeply. I am so grateful to have you here and hear your thoughts <3 Thank you always
Thank you so much for reading Kriti and I'm glad you're okay with me sharing your poem! I was unsure if I should message you about it or not. Thank you for your beautiful work as well, and for reading <3 Much love to you
You must have been such a delight for your teachers. I think I'd take it just a little further, though: without speaking of lies or truth, every written word is curated or "intended" whether it be fiction, poetry or journal, in my opinion, and even whether it is published or not. "We" (whatever that is) are always telling ourselves things we want to hear.
Oh, I loved this piece so much. Your musings on how our society engages with art in the modern era are pretty much spot on. Why go to poetry looking for autobiography? We should go to poetry looking for a feeling, an experience, a story, a truth that might not be The Truth but is still a truth.
Exactly what I was trying to say. We go to poetry looking for a feeling. Such a beautiful sentence. Thank you for reading <3
i wish i could repost this comment too!
Reading this immediately after I wrote a comment talking about how I identified with your work feels like the universe striking me down for my hubris. My bad...
Hahah thank you so much for reading and for being here. I appreciate your words so deeply. <3
people are only getting dumber it seems!! I was working on a piece about YA’s popularity and found that in America the majority of adults have below a 6th grade reading level. 😬😬
That’s rough. Sometimes when I see what people are reading on Tik Tok, I get disappointed. Though, starting with YA to get into books is a good place to start. But then we need to start consuming different types of books to get a taste of the world!
Easily the best Substack piece I've read in a while. Oh Amal, no one does it like you. This was stellar. Thank you. Wish I had something fun to comment like a particularly engaged student who shows off just how well they've been listening in class, but you've covered everything perfectly already!
Any comment from you is a great comment, Alice. Thank you for reading and for being here <3
I only discovered Richard Siken's work today, and in searching the internet for more of it, I found this post.
I was surprised to find how much this post had to say about me as a writer, too, and feelings that I've felt as someone who is semi-well-known in a very tiny corner of the internet and fields a lot of the same types of questions, of flippance, of people speaking to me as if they are owed more of me than what I've written.
Thank you for putting this to words. I really appreciate this piece, and I thank you truly for writing it.
Hello Kelsie, first of all, I am so happy you’ve stumbled upon Richard Siken’s work. He is a brilliant, innovative writer, and I just know his pieces will hold your hand tightly and affect you deeply.
You are so kind with your words, and I’m glad my ideas rang true to your experience.
Thank you so much for reading <3 I wish you the best!
the title intrigued me and lured me into reading this and MAN this was such a delightful piece !! 🫶
Ah thank you so much for reading!! <2
i love itt i cannot wait to read more from u !
i really liked this piece. i saw the responses to richard siken’s tweet on my own feed and have felt emotions to this myself despite not having read his work though perchance I shall give him a read for this new year. i would often feel these thoughts with musicians and the storytelling behind their work. Often times, I would go to Genius looking for the story and see what was truth and what wasn’t but I eventually learned to take in the music for what it is and how it affects me. Though Tiktok has brought a peculiar feeling to people posting videos or thirst traps to songs that have such introspective lyrics. I despise it yet i wondered if it provided somewhat streams to an artist then shouldn’t that be enough? I have no answers, merely thoughts but thank you again for writing this piece.
Thank you so much for reading, Aniya. I deeply recommend Siken's work - his voice is so human, so raw, so real. I believe the people always speaking to him on twitter (and getting angry at him for his responses) are merely hoping to connect with him, but forgetting that every author is estranged from their work in someway. Separated. Sometimes we think poets have all the answers to our questions, but unfortunately, that's not true.
This was so so so so lovely. Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for reading <3
This was amazing like I'm not even surprised at this point, I went into this knowing it was going to be great. I loved your analysis and observations and I agree fully. I think it's time we all realise being someone's 'fan' doesn't excuse your prying and disrespectful behaviour. Everyone can say they like xyz artist or that they enjoy xyxs writing, but a real fan. A real reader. A true one, would never ask such insensitive questions or behave inappropriately. Parasocial relationships are unhealthy but I agree that sometimes it just happens, what I don't agree w, is using that made up relationship as an excuse to bash or hate on said celebrity/writer/artist, etc. You highlight a very important issue in today's society but with such...tenderness? I've seen essays on people being 'too sensitive' and for me, when it comes down to such subjective things like emotion and relationships, I don't like people stating it like hard facts or like people's feelings are some political debate. There's always exceptions there's always reasoning. And you've talked about the problem at hand without being insensitive and I think that just shows the kind of person and writer you are. A person who can consider emotion yet also point out bad behaviour, then express all that with such well written words uts really like very impressive and tysm for writing this. First substack post around thus topic that I actually agreed with fully and you've influenced me into getting Crush by Richard Siken. If it ruins my life then ty aswell. Loved this sm Amal sorry for long ass comment. Love you too. ♡♡♡
I am so glad I came off as tender, that means so much to me and it was definitely my hope when I posted this. I agree with all your points so deeply. I am so grateful to have you here and hear your thoughts <3 Thank you always
i dont have words to express my feelings, this was perfect.
Thank you so much <3
Loved this piece from the bottom of my heart and I'm happy at the same time that you've resonated with my poetry and used it in your newsletter. ✨️❤️
Thank you so much for reading Kriti and I'm glad you're okay with me sharing your poem! I was unsure if I should message you about it or not. Thank you for your beautiful work as well, and for reading <3 Much love to you
Wish I could just restack your entire post as one single big quote. because this is so on point 🤞🤞
Thank you!
yes! Richard Siken is a cat. what a perfect concept. im going to tell all my friends about it.
Right? I was proud of myself when I wrote that line. Haha. Thank you so much for reading!
Ok this is perfection
Thank you!
AMAL you wrote this for me and FOR ME
ONLY i have been thinking this since he first started posting, especially as the engagement became more and more…..uh, strange
ur brain !!!!!!
Omg when your favorite writer and you are on the same wavelength ^_^
I remember when we spoke about how much we love Ocean Vuong, I knew that you were also a Siken fan.
Thank you for reading, esje!!! <3
You must have been such a delight for your teachers. I think I'd take it just a little further, though: without speaking of lies or truth, every written word is curated or "intended" whether it be fiction, poetry or journal, in my opinion, and even whether it is published or not. "We" (whatever that is) are always telling ourselves things we want to hear.