Usefulness of Junk

The Usefulness of "Crappy" Writing

         I have written over 300 poems in my angst career. Only about 100 would I show to people, and only about 40 of those do I feel proud of still. Maybe 10 total fit enough people's definitions of poetry to attempt to be widely-read.
         The purpose of my writing poetry has always been to serve myself - to vent, order my thoughts, or share a secret with my diary-like poem journal. I call it poetry because it's rather crafted, well-metered and often rhyming. My writings should not be confused with Poetry which tries to impress the rest of society. My scribbles have served their purpose and are not attempting to become popular.
         That said, I hope you can understand how I have 200+ poems that no one else gets to see. I have always maintained a folder and a couple books of poems which have never seen the light of day reflecting from other people's eyes. They are what I affectionately call my pieces of crap poems. (1) People wouldn't get them, (2) they're not well-crafted, and (3) some are too personal. So, you ask, if they've served their purpose and aren't fit to show other people, why keep them? Good question. Glad you asked.
         I read through them now and then. When I do this, their purpose is immediately clear. They are not poems at all - they are beacons for my mental time machine. I can read one piece of crap and be instantly transported into the time and circumstances of that writing. I remember what I was doing, for whom I was feeling, and why I needed to snapshot that moment into writing.
         Think back on your glory days. For most people, high school was their heyday. The best years, the best friends, the best loves, and even (as for me) the best writing. Remember all you can recall. Write all your best times into short titles, as if you were going to write stories about them later. Can you get more than 20? Neither could I, until I glanced through an old journal and especially my crap poems.
         So that's the usefulness of crap. Just like the aroma of a sweet perfume can remind you of a long-lost love interest, so can the stench of bad poetry remind you of the days when your best writing was still ahead of you! I wrote a poem about that, even: "Reverie"  ... enjoy.