Some poets aren't as critical. Others are, instead, TOO critical - I've been told that's the case with me and my own poetry. But I've also always wondered how poets understand and react to each others' work, especially when there are diverse styles of poetry and themes.

I can understand being harsh with your own work, as a drive to improve. But I don't understand what there is to criticize in a poet writing from "their individual lenses", if the work is still able to connect with a broad group of readers. And while I do think academics are sometimes insulated from the "real" world the rest of us live in, I wonder at the criticism of their personal choices.

Mind you, I'm neither a poet nor a fan of poetry. My appreciation is pretty much limited to Shel Silverstein.