Nit-Picker … [ Suggested By Friend Andy Brookes' Poem ‘ Nitpicker ‘; Serious; Personal ] Poem by Bri Edwards

To pick nits can mean to remove eggs of lice from human hair,
and I believe Andy's ‘Nitpicker‘ word may come from ‘there'.
Nits are very tiny, and a nitpicker points out some ‘tiny faults',
like a misspelling in a poem, amounting to, for some, insults.

But it's NOT just the picking out of faults.It's lack of positive input.
It's criticism given as a bashing, as if "picker" kicks poet with foot!
It's leaving a comment which suggests there is NO merit, ……
NO good aspects of the poem, e.g. wit, clarity, or ‘style'.[grin & bear it? ]

Some poets accept or even desire suggestions, stuff more constructive,
but a nitpicker seems to JUST point out 'errors'.This can be destructive,
if not at least balanced with some ‘positive' comment(s) , reassurance,
not JUST a list of each grammatical gaffe, e.g. a misspelling occurrence.

Don't get me wrong; I DO often point out when to use "too" instead of "to",
and when "its" and "it's" are misused.English DOES have ‘rules' for me & you!

BUT, if all I can or care to say would make me, Bri, a "nitpicker",
I'd more likely leave NO comment at all, and slink away without a snicker.


(May...2nd...2019)