From: slug<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

guppy - irresistable captured the playfulness of winter. so many people get caught up in the snuggly dreariness of it all - thanks for reminding me that it can be fun. :-)<BR>
<BR>
kiwi - red...nice...
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Toklas~Sarah...You are both right! Poetry does break a lot of rules, and many poets incorporate things like capitalization and punctuation, or lack thereof, into their individual styles. But just as an artist uses paint and canvas to create and communicate various concepts through their art, a poet uses words for the same purpose. And English as our chosen language does have a set of rules and constructs for a reason. To clarify meaning, context, emphasis, and a myriad of other details so that universal ideas can be communicated from one person to the next in the most clear and concise way possible.  As a writer, you simply must have a good handle on the rules of grammar and usage of punctuation, etc.  In other words, before you can  flaunt these rules for artistic purposes, you have to be firmly grounded in those same rules first!<BR>
<BR>
And while the Blender is not a rigid forum for writers submitting  for publication in a strict Literary Journal, it is nonetheless  an online E-zine for romantic poetry. As such, we owe it to Kirk as the Editor-In-Chief, and to each other as contributing writers,to do our best to maintain a modicum of respect for both the Blender itself, and to each other.  This respect is best shown through taking the time and caring enough to check the spelling and punctuation and capitalization of our submittals!<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,<BR>
All this talk of grammar and spelling has got me to wonder what this site is really about.  Yes it is important, but I don't feel it is THAT important.  Feelings don't have commas or periods, and I think that poetry is an art and like all art, someone likes it one way and someone likes it another.  This to me and I know many others is a 'happy place' where we come to release our feelings.  If you wish to critque someone do it with tact and don't be just down right rude.  These postings are the hearts and souls of those who write here, don't tear them down.  There are no rules to art or feelings for that matter. I guess I'm all for the saying "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." Just a thought I don't like that there is so much negativity on the board lately. Perhaps if you are so picky about spelling and grammar show it through your own work and set a good example. I know I learn from others more than I could ever learn from a book.<BR>
xoxo<BR>
elaina
<HR>
From: slug<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

i feel i must add - since i said it before - misspellings bother me. (especially using your instead of you're)<BR>
<BR>
BUT<BR>
<BR>
"This poet's talent is shoddy at best. Her use of punctuation is practically non-existent. I see it as a waste of the reader's time." - this was written about EMILY DICKENSON <BR>
<BR>
ee cummings got so much flack for not capitalizing and for cutting his words apart and playing with form. so did kerouac, ginsberg, burroughs, and ferlinghetti. it's a miracle they're published. and thank GOD for that. they were revolutionary (HOWL is still precedent setting - as far as our obscenity laws go.)<BR>
<BR>
to them it was both art and heart. (cheesy - but without art, you can't have heart..ha ha...)<BR>
<BR>
but here's the point. we're not them. we're not each other. we're not critics, and we're certainly not here to judge. so i'm going to continue reading the work that i like (concise, whimsical, kissy face, and potentially nauseating to people who aren't in love - as well as the weepy, ranting, slightly irratic rambles) and quietly pass over what i don't -- <BR>
<BR>
--and the only suggestion i make is that the poet (for we are ALL poets) stick to the form they like best (i feel that as someone who has been known to through parantheses into the middle of a WORD i can say that) and *@%& the people who can't accept that the poem made you happy to write.<BR>
<BR>
and that's my two cents. <BR>
<BR>
(and GUPPY - in whose arms...whose arms...the message is there and that's enough for me. but make it perfect for you. i'm glad you're writing.)
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Elaina~ I beg to differ with your opinion. As an artist (certainly not of the level of our own Dee or Toklas) Art does indeed have rules...thing called balance, movement,  dichotomy of content, focal lotus.  Art has its own set of rules and terms just as writing does.<BR>
<BR>
And while the Blender is a very supportive and uplifting community, especially for begginners, it is also A STAGE to offer up your work for others to COMMENT ON.....As a writer I offer my work so that I can learn to write better; to communicate more effectively.  Not to trade 'ain't it so   wonderful, ain't we so marvelous' comments  just to stroke my ego for the day.  Nice compliments are meaningless if they come from a source that thinks Misty's pet monkey, Koko Loco writes nice comments andf poetry too!.....lol.  I want my compliments to be just as useful as my criticisms.<BR>
<BR>
thanks for listening,<BR>
t.
<HR>
From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Terry~ Ok I stand corrected art does have rules, but think about this (not to start an argument or anything just to provok thought) LOVE does not have rules.  And that's what this site is for...poetry about love and in some cases the lack of, so why then must we complain about mispells and grammar and all that (pardon me for saying so) 'silly' stuff when someone spills their heart and soul for us to read.  You can't give LOVE rules and regulations so why give writings of love rules and regulations.  I know that it can be annyoing to see someone mispell constantly, or use a period the wrong way, but that's what we are here for...to learn from each other.  And I'm not say that you should only give compliments, but constructive critism can be put nicely so it won't hurt anybodys feelings. Perhaps I'm just puzzled because there are poets of all ages here, and different levels are obviously going to have different levels of writing and grammar and spelling, ect. I'm only sixteen and I am a horrible speller and to tell you the truth that is the last thing on my mind when I'm writing, because my poetry comes from my HEART not from my HEAD.  I write for myself and no one else. I post here to get critism from others, and as much as I do enjoy the praises and compliments, I wouldn't mind a comment of a different opinion, but I am sixteen and I break easily and if someone does have CONSTRUCTIVE critism about my work I'd wish them to send it to my e-mail ([email-masked]) or do it so that their point is well made but my feelings don't get hurt. It also 'hurts' me to see others beaten on in such a DISRESPECTFUL way. I hope I made sense. <BR>
xoxo<BR>
elaina 
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

How many times do I have to say it, if you post in public asking for comments on your poetry, you are NOT just writing for yourself.<BR>
<BR>
If you are posting in a public forum you are asking for validation, proof that somehow, somewhere you may say something profound and it will affect someone to continue on with that emotion and reaction.<BR>
<BR>
All art has foundation, if you don't size your canvas your work of art will crack, spelling and grammer (at which I am useless) are part of the foundation of poetry, I don't claim to get it right, but I say apply them with your own style and flair, just start with the right foundation!
<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

There is nothing disrespectful about discussions on what poetry is or does. There is certainly nothing disrespectful about a spell checker. It won't hurt your heart one bit!<BR>
<BR>
When you discover how painless a spell checker can be, you may even try a thesaurus! <BR>
<BR>
they have one at www.dictionary.com<BR>
<BR>
type in the word you are using that you think could be improved, then click on thesaurus. A list of alternatives to the word will be available for you to try. <BR>
<BR>
There are 5 pages of alternatives to the word "soul." <BR>
<BR>
tok &lt;smiling&gt;
<HR>
From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

my only thoughts on this are:  1)Toklas, thank you for your honesty...you've made really good points about the craft of poetry...i was reading your comments and thinking to myself, "i must be the most annoying read in the world to her"...everything you said made sense 2)criticism here isn't about judgement of anyone's heart...don't take it that way...people that take the time to write a thoughtful critique are doing it because they care enough to do it...there are people here who are very good writers...great opportunity to learn from them if we allow them to speak their minds 3)fiction, FICTION is written here along with non-fiction pieces...i know that i write things without ANY emotional ties to myself sometimes...i suspect that many others do too...decent writers can and do write about other people's feelings, or other people's made-up feelings, or made-up people's made-up feelings...and believe it or not, romance poetry isn't always from the heart...a good writer can make you believe nearly anything...sheesh, hallmark cards can do that...presidents are remembered for speeches they give which are written by other people...actors are loved or hated according to characters they portray...blah blah...<BR>
<BR>
gup
<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

My thoughts on the subject of the moment are these...<BR>
<BR>
(self-editorial note here: I do not use ellipses in my poetry or in serious writing, except as accepted style guidelines for ussage allow for quoted text, but I do signify fragmented sentences - if not thoughts - in posts on this message board or in e-mail with them)<BR>
<BR>
First of all, on the subject of love, I love words.  I love what they symbolize, signify, and often what they can paint in the mind's eye, when placed together in a creative way.  I (yes, still, being a stubborn old fart) at least try to read every single 'poem.'  It becomes harder to characterize a group of words AS a poem when there is not attempt to place them together in a creative or even workmanlike way.  If a writer cares less about the way they convey their emotion than in the emotion for its own sake, both lose something.  A well written poem actually enhances the person emoting, and the emotive act itself.  If you care enough to share what you feel, you ought to care enough that others might at least understand it.  A person who does not at least care enough to try to express themselves coherently (this is far more than just spelling or punctuation) is almost as inconsiderate as someone who comments on another's work in a harsh manner.  This place is ALL about words.  It behooves us all to choose the ones we use as carefully as possible.
<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

p.s. - Tok, good point!  No serious writing is done without a thesaurus.  It is the writer's pallette, so to speak.
<HR>
From: kevin &lt;blushing forty-seven shades of red&gt; u.<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

um, that's PALETTE...<BR>
(bad writer!  BAAAD writer!!!)
<HR>
From: Devin<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (no spell check there)<BR>
<BR>
Gimme a break. YOU "professionals" who are masking your criticism of minor detail in the guise of advice are going to make me puke.  Language is ALIVE and constantly changing and there are many forms of language to include regional and cultural differences. Is a poem in Ebonics any less of a poem?  Grammar and spelling ARE important, sure, i'll buy that.  But when i post here, i'm not "TRYING" to be published, I'm NOT submitting to an editor and it IS MY EMOTION, not my craft, not my art I'm releasing to the blender.  I am not submitting for YOUR intepretations or technical review.  I rarely, if ever, ask anyone for a review or response and I don't submit for the purpose of putting my work out for all to read.  I SUBMIT because I NEED to write and the blender allows me a release, an archive and a reference to those wishing to see some of my works.  I'm all for teaching, but be careful when you find yourself so locked into convention that you forget the free-spirited, flowing, NO RULES art of true poetry from the heart, not the textbook.<BR>
<BR>
-devin
<HR>
From: Devin<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

...one more elipse'd comment...<BR>
<BR>
Kevin, you know i admire you and your works but i must disagree about this place being "ALL" about words, I was certainly under the impression it was all about romance.<BR>
<BR>
-Devin
<HR>
From: sarah [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

i think i will keep to my uncapitalized self.<BR>
<BR>
maybe some have a grasp on the english language, maybe other languages as well, seeing as french has been posted here.<BR>
<BR>
then i have been under a misconception my whole life as to what poetry is.<BR>
<BR>
if it is not emotion, if it just a "craft" as to hone your verbal skills.  then i want nothing to do with it.<BR>
<BR>
i could give a rat's patookis about grammar and punctuation.<BR>
<BR>
i'm not cutting anyone down here or trying to be disrespectful.<BR>
<BR>
i'll keep my writing to myself then if this place has grown to technical as to care about ellipses not being in writing, or if i capitilize my i's.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Blender Historian<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

From Kirk's own words:<BR>
<BR>
http://loveblender.com/history.html<BR>
<BR>
"As part of the Blender's original mission, I invited its readers to send "Something You Want To See On The Blender." Originally, I was thinking that I would receive works by established authors that had caught my readers' eye. But I tapped into a deeper need, the need for people to get their own feelings about romance on screen, in a public forum. So 'Heart on Sleeve' corner was created, a page for people to put their own love poems on the web." <BR>
<BR>
I think that about says it all.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Sarah~ You  know without a doubt that I love your writing. And I would sorely regret losing the chance to read your work because you stopped posting here. In a way, you are missing the point of what is being said here  on the Boards.  The fact you choose to write without capitalizing is for you a matter of choice! Many other poets have adopted a similar style. Heck look at my own posts. You will see that I never capitalize my own name, terry. And when I first started posting here, that one little fact drove some people batty. It was interesting to get email from practical strangers asking why I did that!<BR>
<BR>
It was a matter of choice for me, just as it is for you in your own work. What was pointed out was that an editor would not care to receive material without proper punctuation and grammar. As you say, that matters little to you because you are not submitting to an editor. But you have to admit, it is a very good thing to know in case you ever are in a position to publish your work. And bby pointing out that fact, Toklas has passed some valuable information she has learned the hard way through experience on to the rest of us aspiring writers in the hopes we won't learn the same lesson the hard way.<BR>
<BR>
The simple fact is this; as a writer we write because we have to. Be it popetry, short stories, whatever. And when we share our writing by posting it here, we all have various and different expectations of what we can accomplish by posting. Some writers could care less about what is critiqued about their work on the board. Others fully want as full a critique as possible in order to learn and grow in their writing. The  great thing about the Blender is that both these desires can be accomplished if that writer lets it be known what they want as expect. And neither way is better than the other. As Elaina put well,  with 100 writers here, there are 100 different levels of experience, education, life experience, talent, desire, and all the other traits that make us the writers we are.<BR>
<BR>
Keep posting sarah. I for one will keep reading and enjoying your unique talent, as I know others here do. Just as I will continue to enjoy the other artists here.<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

There is no use even stating my opinion, because you can't even acknowledge that is simply...MY opinion. I'm not saying I'm right or you're wrong, I just think it's horribly sad that you can't see past the spelling mistakes and the grammatical errors.  Call me crazy but, like anything, there is more to writing than technique.  Yes it is important, but not life treatening.  And, just like everything else, you can have all the technique in the world but you won't go anywhere if you don't have HEART. <BR>
xoxo<BR>
elaina<BR>
(Sorry if in my morning hurry I mis-spelled something, and God forbid I forgot a period or something.)
<HR>
From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

I come here because everyone that posts has a different style, I read the poems because sometimes unannounced to anyone I'm looking for advice. I write here because I hope I help and inspire others, I've never once thought "OH! I'll go to the blender today and tell someone how annoying I find it that they didn't capitalize thier 'i's" I just think it's terrible that this is even a topic. I thank everyone who has participated in this conversation, I've learned a lot, but unfortunatly all I want to learn. I willing to bend a little and always let someone have their say, but I can't partake in this disagreement any longer I'm getting discouraged and no writer needs that.<BR>
<BR>
Sarah~ <BR>
Don't stop posting...PLEASE don't stop posting, don't let grammar and spelling get in the way of your beautiful work. Believe it or not there are people who very much enjoy your 'i's...me.  So don't stop posting.<BR>
<BR>
xoxo<BR>
elaina
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Well, I guess I stand in the middle here. I do see where numerous misspellings, poor punctuation and grammatical errors can lose a reader's interest fast, but I can also see the danger of stifling creativness by the added pressure of technicalities. I have said over and again that the beauty of this forum is the diversity of its writer's. We have people here of all ages and degrees of education. And not one of them has anything more important to express about romance than the other. Anyone here can go to a dictionary, thesaurus or online writer's technique site to improve the technical part of their writing if they wish. I thought critiquing would be more on the lines of use and linkage of words to convey the message you are trying to get across to your reader...more on style, meter and diction...more on fresher ways to express ourselves with words, not elementary english (I have always used...as a longer pause/break in my train of thought. I will probably continue to do so in conversation, but I will refrain from using them in my poetry now that I have learned that it is incorrect. But the lower case lettering I just find more visually poetic). Although, I have always stated that my writing was strictly a hobby, I would like to improve on it (isn't that what we want to do with all hobbies?). My main concern lately is that if the critquing gets too techinical, some future 'Dickinson' or 'ee cummings' might be discouraged and that is not what this place is about. Also, I have seen many poems grace the front cover that were not even close to being free of technical errors, but they were chosen on the merit of fresh expression alone, so I do not think error-free poetry is what Kirk is looking for. It would be nice to continue to see encouraging remarks along with a few pointers from some of the more educated on board. But if the remarks are offered in a disgusted manner, you have helped no one.
<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Kirk, thank you for commenting on our discussion. No one debates the point that some here are going to only exchange feelings. And if that is what they choose, then they are free to do so by virtue of this site and what it aims to do.<BR>
<BR>
My only point is that there are some of us who want more because when we see the word poetry, we are looking for the integrity of poetics.  I am not addressing anything to a specific person's work. Those who want to do something more than emote, should have the opportunity to express their appreciation or non-appreciation of work presented.  Those who have said that they are only here to express feelings certainly won't invite critical comment. <BR>
<BR>
But for those who have said that they might like to work toward poetry with the big P,  why not here as well as any other place? <BR>
<BR>
A little growth  won't hurt a site. There is room here for us all.<BR>
<BR>
Those of you who have put up your hand and expressed that you do care what poetry does, I hope we can have many lively discussions about poetry.  I love poetry like breath itself. I read it like an addict. <BR>
<BR>
Any Raymond Carver fans in the house? <BR>
<BR>
tok<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

&lt;sigh&gt;<BR>
I am not a person who critiques anyone's work here based on technical merit.  I have always kept it positive, and have always tried to be considerate and civil.  I am not a professional writer (outside the context of the technical writing I am paid well for in the course of my employment).  Again, I read EVERY poem, good, bad, indifferent.  As a reader I WANT to get something out of what everyone writes, not because I take poetry seriously, but because I want to feel enriched in some way.  As a poet, I do not submit everything I write, because frankly, much of what I write is not good (I am sure that some would say that all of what I write is not that good).<BR>
<BR>
The Blender Historian is, of course, correct in pointing out that this place is about giving people a forum to express their emotions about love and romance.  My poetry here has never been about anything else.  I also realize that what I write may not appeal to many, if any, but that is not why I write.  It is not, I suspect, why others do either (q.v. Terry's comment above).  I am not trying to discourage ANYONE from writing anything they wish and posting it here.  All I want to do is lend a little perspective to this (rather overheated) discussion.  But then perhaps my words would not be missed much either, were they not here.  <BR>
<BR>
I must reinforce what I said before and respectfully disagree with Devin (though not completely).  Yes, the header at the top of the New Submissions page says that "Everyone is welcome to send in poems related to romance."  And as far as I am concerned there is no equivocation in that - I wish everyone felt welcome here.  However, it is ALL about words.  These words you are reading right now that are conveying my ideas about what poetry might be (again, for my opinion about poetry, please refer to www.loveblender.com/1999december/works/johnkeating.html).  <BR>
<BR>
Since words can be used to hurt, I have always tried to keep the words I use on this board pointed in a positive direction.  Most people, even those offering criticism, have tried to as well, I believe.  But poems, too, are made up of words.  People are reading our emotions and conceptions of romance here communicated in the form of words.  So the words we choose and the way we use them are things that DO matter.  That was the point I was trying to make.<BR>
<BR>
sarah-<BR>
This reader would sorely miss the pleasure of reading your poetry.  Please keep sharing it.<BR>
<BR>
k
<HR>
From: Devin<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Kev-<BR>
<BR>
I can certainly agree with your clarification of intent. In that respect, absoultely, words do indeed matter in conversance as well as conveyance.<BR>
<BR>
Thanks,<BR>
<BR>
-Dev
<HR>
From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Toklas, I don't think I 'commented on [this] discussion'. 'Blender Historian' quoted what I had layed down a long while back, back Blender Historian != Me.  <BR>
<BR>
Also, if I were to write a more recent blurb on Heart on Sleeve corner, it would probably have to mention the concept of Front Page Picks... more important than grammar or spelling or puncuation is novelty.  I want to see something new in poetry.  Not neccesarily in form, but in mood, or imagery, or sometimes with wordplay.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Brandy ~ [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

I believe that it was Toklas that said "poetry is not emotion, but that it is a craft."  (Correct me if I am wrong.)  Everything that I write comes from my heart  or my life experiences.  What I've learned from my 22 years on this earth is that usually what comes from the heart IS emotion.  At least in my case.  <BR>
<BR>
When I read someone elses work on here (which I do often and I'm sorry that I don't have time to post what I think is wonderful) I don't even notice the misspellings, or the grammical errors.  I read the words and the emmotion that is written across the page.<BR>
<BR>
I'm not an aspiring writer.  I design commericals, radio ads, television promotions and anything else dealing with creative advertising and promotions.  I write here because I love writing.  I love seeing what other people have written and I don't think that its a crime to have misspelled or not capitalized something.  I'm famous for over using the "..."  To me thats no crime, thats the way that I am.  And I'm not sorry for who I am.<BR>
<BR>
I do go thru editors.  I have to in my line of work.  And maybe writing editor compared to my kind of editors are different, I wouldn't know.  But I do learn things from them and one thing that I have learned is that they make mistakes as well.  An Editor is not perfect either.  Just as none of us are perfect.<BR>
<BR>
I don't want to see someone like Sarah stop posting because of something that was said on the board...I like reading her works, just as I do Elaina's, Guppy's, Kevin's, B.K.'s, me aka niki's, terry's, Ali's...and anyone else that I may have forgetten.  To me they are all writers no matter the misspelling or grammatical errors.<BR>
<BR>
I'm sorry for ranting again!!<BR>
<BR>
Here are a few that I read yesterday:<BR>
<BR>
Blue Today~ 'Sirius' was very mysitacl to me.  Made me think that there is a place out there somewhere that is nothing but mystic.<BR>
<BR>
Guppy~ 'Irresistible' sounds like something deviant that I would do!<BR>
<BR>
Michael~ 'If My Life Should Fall Away' was absolutly beutiful.  Something that everyone should live by.<BR>
<BR>
Brandy
<HR>
From: rogerdodger<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

there is a difference in education and intelligence and intelligence and talent. we can all gain an education. intelligence is in the genes, so selective. and talent is a gift that should not be stymied by either. some are too smart for their own words.
<HR>
From: sarah [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

according to webster:<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
poetry \Po"et*ry\, n. [OF. poeterie. See Poet.] 1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression.<BR>
<BR>
For poetry is the blossom and the fragrance of all human knowledge, human thoughts, human passions, emotions, language. --Coleridge.<BR>
<BR>
2. Imaginative language or composition, whether expressed rhythmically or in prose. Specifically: Metrical composition; verse; rhyme; poems collectively; as, heroic poetry; dramatic poetry; lyric or Pindaric poetry. ``The planetlike music of poetry.'' --Sir P. Sidney.<BR>
<BR>
She taketh most delight In music, instruments, and poetry. --Shak. <BR>
<BR>
imagination is individual.<BR>
<BR>
I write foremost, for myself.  I have never stopped writing because one individual or another has not liked my writing.  If i choose not to come to this forum of poetry, it is because i feel many things that made this place what it is, are no longer here.<BR>
<BR>
As much as I love many of the people who post here, I do not want to be in a writing atmosphere where i feel that things i might do are inherrently wrong.  To not capitalize a letter or to not put in a comma, is not to take away the true soul of a work.<BR>
<BR>
Even James Joyce in Ulysses, threw away punctuation.<BR>
<BR>
I believe that to an extent writing is a craft, that you do know how to express a vision of imagination that is in your head, or an emotion.  I think it's what those words say, not how they are put together that truly compell a reader.<BR>
<BR>
Look at guppy's work for instance, I love his stuff, I read it every chance I get.  But he throws away many grammatical rules, and he truly is one of the best poets i have ever read.<BR>
<BR>
I do not like metered poetry, they lack humanity.  They fit emotions and thoughts that are pure, into lines that are not meant to fit human thoughts.<BR>
<BR>
I will be quiet, end of this ramble as well.<BR>
<BR>
scj
<HR>
From: Maggie<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

I have been coming to this site off and on for over a year.  I love writing poetry and longer works as well.  I am currently at work on a novel.  I am NOT a professional writer but love putting thoughts and ideas on paper.  It seems to solidify my connection to the world.  My guidelines are simply this....<BR>
<BR>
Poetry:  While I do TRY to spell correctly, my poetry tends to be stream of consciousness (is there a spell check on here??  LOL).  I was recently complimented by a friend on my post "The Treasure Hunt".  He asked me how long it took.  My response was "about ten minutes".  He asked what it was about my mind that allowed me to be such a free-thinking free-flowing writer.  My response was that my MIND was only involved to the extent that that was where I kept my vocablulary.  The free-flowing part comes from the heart and soul.  <BR>
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Short stories and the novel: this is where I use my mind to the greatest degree.  Each sentence is well thought out and grammatically correct.  Does it have to be?  I will answer a question with a question?  Anyone ever read Faulker?  That is some of the hardest reading I have ever done.  He followed almost NONE of the rules of grammer.<BR>
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The point?  Art, in whatever form you find it, is only what you make of it.  If you chose to make nothing of it, so be it.
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From: jill<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

to Gala:<BR>
	Your poem "Bitch" is so true.  I think peole use the word to frequently and without consideration of what it means to call someone that.  I know I can be one to the many people I meet, but it's different when someone calls you it and especially saomeone you care for.  I have a right to own my "bitchiness" but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings also. The way you expressed your feelings and the words that you chose, showed the brave, bold, and strong person that I'm sure you are.  It also shows that you have a higher intelligence than the guy that called you a "bitch" because he could only use one word to express himself and you made a poem to show that he's nothing but a liar.  You make me proud to be a woman. 
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Date: 16 January 2001<P>

The DubalPoet~ 'The Perfect Man' was so inspiring.  This is something that makes you understand what love and even friendship is supposed to be all about.  To me anyway.  Thank you for writing something like that.  I needed a little pick me up.<BR>
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Gala~ 'Bitch' I agree with jill, you make me proud to be a woman...rrrrooooaaarrrr!!  LOL!!  Its always hard when you hear that from the one that you love.  I know how it feels though.<BR>
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Brandy
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From: Jenna Holland ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Though that last one might leave a mark.... possibly even a smile :o) *grinning*  Thanks to Everyone!<BR>
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-Jenna-
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From: Ali<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Elaina~ all your new work is great...Sometimes poetry is a release...it seems to be for you...it always is for me.<BR>
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Niki~ 'Memory Lane' was great...I know how you feel...I've been down that road before...<BR>
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Gala~ I loved 'Spiritual Seduction'...I really related to it...I just love it...=)<BR>
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Brandy~ 'I Cannot Cry'....WOW! I absolutely love this poem...I have felt the exact same way, not too long ago...Your poem is awesome, I like it very much...it really touched me.<BR>
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Love and Sunshine, Ali
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From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Brandy and Jill...<BR>
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            Thanks...what makes "Bitch." so difficult is that so many women can relate to it. And that is a truly sad state of affairs. No one wins the war between the sexes---so what's the battle all about?<BR>
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                                         Gala
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From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Eryn...<BR>
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        As much as I hate to say this, the boys can match us horror story for horror story. Neither sex plays fair.<BR>
And it's sad as all hell. Life is too short for the silly games.<BR>
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                                        Gala
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From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Ali~ I love your new poems.  Believe it or not a littl while ago I write a poem called 'For what it's worth' I never posted it though.  Funny. Your poems haven't been as long lately. Any reason? Still no matter how short or long your work is it always makes a good point, and perhaps there isn't always a point but it is constanly making me think.<BR>
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Eryn~ I agree boys do seem to be the preditor more than the fragile ladies do, however I know I've broke a heart or two and I'm sure you can say the same.  Great work. post more often.<BR>
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xoxo<BR>
elaina<BR>
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PS: me aka niki where are you????
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From: Elaina<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Ali~ I love your new poems.  Believe it or not a littl while ago I write a poem called 'For what it's worth' I never posted it though.  Funny. Your poems haven't been as long lately. Any reason? Still no matter how short or long your work is it always makes a good point, and perhaps there isn't always a point but it is constanly making me think.<BR>
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Eryn~ I agree boys do seem to be the preditor more than the fragile ladies do, however I know I've broke a heart or two and I'm sure you can say the same.  Great work. post more often.<BR>
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xoxo<BR>
elaina<BR>
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PS: me aka niki where are you????
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From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

somebody made the comment about the english language being "alive"...i was listening to an interview with a linguist on NPR about a month ago that was actually really interesting...he went off on many tangents about how many words are used to express ideas that aren't technically correct, but because of widespread usage are accepted...the word "hopefully" is almost always used incorrectly in everyday english language...we commonly say things like "hopefully, everything will turn out alright" instead of saying "i hope everything will turn out alright"...he also talked about common latin and greek roots which are screwed up by almost everybody...especially transitions between singular and plural forms...medium, media...bacterium, bacteria...cherub, cherubim...i just found it interesting that we butcher the language until everybody accepts it...ha...it must be annoying to be a serious linguist and partake in everyday english conversation...ha<BR>
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the english language is very much alive and constantly changing...who would have known what a "dimpled chad" was before this past november???...ha...i'd hate to be learning english as a second language...it's a motley mix of foreign terms, including "dead" languages, plus new terms invented to fit new needs, plus the vast subculturally derived terms...sheeesh...at least pronouns are stable...ha<BR>
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just food for thought...i'm not a linguist, nor do i care to ever be...just regurgitating stuff to you fine blender patrons<BR>
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cheers,<BR>
gup<BR>
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p.s.---sarah, i don't even know what to say...i'll just sit here and blush for a bit<BR>

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From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

(what the hell is a dimpled chad?)
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From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

gup-<BR>
excellent point.  Reminds me of a college English prof. who made the case - in a GRAMMAR class no less - that because the usage of the language evolves over time, that some of our linguistic usages of the Mother Tongue will come to be anachronisms one day (just as 'Thee,' 'Thou,' and 'Thine' have become).  It was also interesting to listen to him make the case for the usage of the word "ain't" as proper (PROPER?) English as a contraction in the first person singular only (how else would you condense 'am' and 'not' - amn't???). <BR>
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just an interesting thought.<BR>
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k<BR>
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oh, and a dimpled Chad is nothing more than a bad actor's bum, Dee... <BR>
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From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

kev---really?...i'm bombarded with "ain't"s on a daily basis...along with quite a few midwestern word slaughterings...(sarah can relate)...ya der en so hey, howboutcha?...and so on...i guess they're fair game for use in writing...ha...<BR>
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so der, ya look perty, eh?<BR>
howboutcha come over<BR>
i got pringles and pabst<BR>
oughta be pert near enough fer the bote of us<BR>
i been lookin' atcha fer awhile<BR>
sure look perty<BR>
howboutcha?<BR>
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ah, local dialect...anyway...i just made myself sick<BR>
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gup
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From: Angel<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Oh MY GAWD! Ya'll don't start on my DERN dierlect, now yer hear!!! SHAME shame Guppy...iffen I were closer to yer i'd sock yer silly with that der tater sack!!! but beins you is a jazzy writer i'll let yer slip n slide this time ;) 
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From: Angel<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Ohhh and , Dee...a  dimpled chad is a chad that almost did, but did not quite make it to the bottom of the voting chamber. And a chad is a doodad that is supposed to punch in your vote if the other doodad for punching doesn't malfunction and if it does you have a bad chad with can make people very mad depending on which side of that chad you are on...glad to enlighten you on this...hehehe
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From: Ali<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Guppy~ I loved 'Observer'...it was really great.<BR>
Love and smiles, Ali
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From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 16 January 2001<P>

Gup and Angel, you guys slay me!<BR>
Mix all that (midwesten and southern, althoguh here mostly Texan) in with a heavy dose of New Yawk (up in Rio Rancho) and Navajo, Tewa, and a local Spanish dialect, and you have a veritable smorgasboard of linguistic possibilities...  'Spanglish' is always fun to listen to...
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