Jim--Though I selfishly haven't commented on your work before, I thought "Sangria" was a very good piece. Looking at your comments on the board, you're taking things to heart that are in no way refering to you. "Sangria" is a darker piece of poetry, but aren't poets renouned for being dark? Take Poe for example..."Sangria" had the same flavor as my favorite by Poe, "Annabel Lee". This site is devoted to love and poetry about love, and your work fits that. Part of love and life is to experience loss. You're not included in the "cutting" category as far as I can see, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we don't want you to go anywhere execpt to your desk yo churn out some more submissions!! Oh, and as far as the grammer comment, Rhetoric was refering to an annoying habit that a handful of people seem to have.
Example: "UR LIEING ISNT YA? PROB. I MEEN UR W/HER BUT IM IN LUZ W/YA, I MEEN W/U!!"
This is not just slang or human error. I'm not sure what it is execpt a definate turn down from any college recruiter out there. Everyone has typos, especially when our Muses are busy. Anyway, jim, nobody's picking on you so quit thinking that.
The way I feel about the "Cutting" group insulting people that are truly sick by vying for attention applies even to the way they spell! I have a friend that has dyslexia and she reads the Blender over my shoulder on occasion, and she agrees. The misspellings are meant to be cutesy and they're not. People with learning disabilities are offended too!!
Kirk-- Though quiet the past few days, I'd say the comment board gets over run with very off-topic conversations and arguments that have no place, not to mention to vulgarity of the insults used. Cursing in comtext is one thing, but directly aiming vulgar names at someone is uncalled for.
(Especially considering the presumed ages of this group.) I, like Rennie, apologize for my remarks. I know this is you're the boss on this site, but some of us really do love it here and don't want to see it turned into a huge mess of off-topic gossiping nonsense.
Ful-- Boy, oh boy,.....I would definately take Lulu's advice and credit the people that deserve credit. On the submission form, when it has the space for author's name, well, that's where the author's name goes! You will get credit for submitting it automatically by signing in.
Out of all the poems you submitted, only one has anything to do with love, and of course, it has to have the cutting thing going on. The one thing that stood out about your posts was the plaguarism. "Dig my grave, dig it deep, dig my grave from head to feet, and on the top, place a dove. Remember this, I died for love." You changed two whole words. Intentionally crediting yourself with someone else's copy-written work is illegal, immoral, uncreative, and can land you in a heap of trouble. I'm not the only one who noticed either. I hope you just made a mistake, because several people here have had others steal their word and works and try to lay claim on them, and frankly it pisses people off.
Rhetoric - You really ought to read your own statement of purpose (I've read it), and maybe look at it from the point of view that we are out there reading, writing and getting feedback. I don't always improve, but I am exploring the subject matter, thankyou. And I don't just make an appearance to bitch about the state of affairs on the Blender (so to speak).
Chances, I admit that popping in only to bitch was selfish. But, I don't read thoughts and emotion into many of the posts I am referring to. As my Artists Statement suggests (I wrote that as an experiment - probably shouldn't have posted it here - I am an example myself of what I speak), merely putting words on paper is not enough. You/We/They must work on a piece. I am SO freaking guilty of writing something and immediately running to the Blender to post it. Look at the frequency of my early posting.
I have learned that the art of writing "poery" isn't just crafting a rhyme. It takes time, it takes experience, and it takes an understanding of language and all its purpose and compromise. What I have seen here lately by some is not that. If many of those posts were used as metaphors for something, it was lost. I am not a critic, but Kirk has ALWAYS supported the venue of thoughtful critique as well and lauding praise.
For example, Lulu (I think it was) posted Hurt on April 8th by Johnny Cash. If you want to really give credit to the artist, you must look deeper to see that Cash was covering a Nine Inch Nails song from years past. I am sure it was a simple mistake...but what I see is a lack of intent. When I post a song or a work by another, I try my damnedest to make sure I am giving credit where it is due. Maybe I am being WAY to critical - I won't rule it out. But, as I have noticed, a really good post once every month or so from a member here goes noticed (Kev, Stephen, Madi, ect, etc, etc). This is a site for expression, true - but not every emotion or thought needs to be submitted. This is not an online diary or message board. That is the nutshell of my very long point.
Rhetoric
Lulu- i thought that "mascara" was really good. you always write good stuff...don't you think that you need our "psychiatrist" friend? you know who I am talking about, maybe he can help you out! haha...just kidding! bye lunatik!
~*Siko*~
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one fed up with the OH PLEASE LOOK AT ME group. It was part of the reason that I started to take a leave of absence. I figured it would go away and I could come back to normalcy in a few months. I haven't read most of it since the last go round. It's so much easier to just skip them entirely.
But here's the thing I would like to note. Some people here are learning english as a second language and sometimes you can tell and sometimes you can't by their writing. Please keep posting if this is the situation as we are not talking about you at all. (Unless you're the disruptive kind)
It's the head bangers that should know english and just enjoy pissing people off. Being unique is one thing and granted sometimes unique does piss people off but being dull as a dead thud (unoriginal)is another. Kirk gave us all SPELLCHECK and if you write it in Word then cut and paste to Blender then you can spellcheck it there as well. So there is no excuse for you unless you just enjoy being ROCK BRAINED. But all the spell check in the world won't give you originality. You may take up space for a moment in time and think it's real cute but no one will read you and Kirk will eliminate your weenie whiner ass completely when he reads the monthly subs.
bk
teej~ sweet and simple ... and in that simplicity something most all of us wish in your:
Wishes For Sleep ..... Rennie
TJ~ I am going to echo Rennie... well done! What a lovely piece. :-) ~Vi
I am going to restate myself in more simple terms: No community allows anyone to threaten others, or to threaten or give rise to worry that someone may harm themselves or others. Anyone who has made it to junior high school (no matter what language you speak) has been advised of these simple rules. Being online is no different than the "real" world where these particular rules apply. I don't care to censor ANYONE here for their creativity as they see it. I don't mind rap, hip hop, blues, rock or classical minds. I love the diversity here. I don't like the liability we could incur by not asking these risky behaviors to cease. I don't mind typos, spelling mistakes, or even innovative spellings. I've been around to see the world of writing and poetry take drastic, new and welcomed changes as I read. I don't expect anyone to conform to my favorite works, but I do expect posters to follow our country's communication and community laws and not threaten harm to yourself or others ..... Rennie
RennieLorca-
RennieLorca- opps, ok.. meant to affend or not.. it did me.. and i dont see why i cant write what i feel..i get that if might offend someppl by writeing some of the things that i do write.. but i dont complain about what u write and i dont refuse to read ur work.. and u do not know me at all.. so what gives u the right to think that just b/c i write something it is true.. i could just write b/c i know or knew someone that did.. or even that i just read about it and like to write on that issue, so dont assume u know anything about me or even anyone else that write that stuff that u dont like.. and ur right.. police might have to investigate.. and i would tell them to pucker up and kiss my tush just the same as i will do to u.. i dont like ppl who dont even know my last name thinking they know anything at all about me.. b/c u dont!! and i'm sorry if this is mean.. or w/e but its how i feel.
carol~ you very much have a right to your feelings and must feel that I was speaking to you for some reason by your reply to me ..... Rennie
RennieLorca-i knew u were not refering to me as an indavidual.. but i am one of those ppl that write about those things.
carol~ writing helps in a searching and healing process ... it is the threats and dysfunctional gone overboard here I've referred to in my comments. There are posters threatening each other and mentioning bodily harm to themselves or others in the new subs and comments. While it may have something to do with romance and love, it is also a legal issue if it continues as it has here. That is what I am referring to now. I've read your account, and I believe you are trying to come terms with a number of issues in your life -- good for you. This site is a wonderful support and inspiration refuge and whistle stop to many. We use humour and lots of encouragement, plus a bit of cautioning at times as this place becomes extended family for creative folks ..... Rennie
bloomingrose... i have missed you, my friend! enjoyed the latest post and look forward to more.
rennie... running the risk of being redundant: you just plain and simply amaze me! i am in awe of how well you respond so appropriatly to people. may i ask... have you done social work or phsych work in your past (or present)? thank you for opening up the communication that i have been too lazy to do. and, speaking as a nurse, i am obligated by law to report these issues if i were to be treating them. you were right on center when you made that particular statement.
kirk... thanks for taking notice. my answer to your query is BOTH!! the language and malicious intent to do harm that has been expressed on the board is a hard turn-off. and, i quit reading some of the subs a long long time ago due to the horrific nature of violence to oneself some displayed.
my 2 cents for what it is worth.
Rennie ~ Vi ~ Thanks guys. I do like to hear feedback. (Good or bad) :-)
-Teej (igoring anything that does not inspire me or make me rich. LOL!)
Well..Looks like I've missed alot.
I'm sorry if you all are sick of reading about cutting..I really didnt think it would bother many people. Yes, we live in a world that rejects hurting yourself and others, as it should. I know its a sickness, I know its something horrible and needs to be stopped. I wasnt trying to get anyones attention when I started to post about cutting..I just thought I would get those feelings out. Most of my poems are ones I wrote when I was alot sicker than I am now. I cant speak for anyone else, but attention was never my reason to post. I was never trying to be in the "OH PLEASE LOOK AT ME!" group, and by arguing about it and telling writers to stop, your giving attention to the ones who did want it. It did offend me, whether it was suposed to or not. I have gotten help, and I'm going through recovery..My advice to the ones that still do it or are thinking about doing it is to stop..and never think about it again. Most of my poems are about love, but mostly love thats been lost..even if they had to do with cutting. I agree with Carol..I dont see why I cant write what I feel. You dont have to read anything I post, Just because its there doesnt mean anyone has to read it. This isnt meant to offend anyone..and I hope we can move on.
Lulu
Rennie,
i know i might be new here but i have read alot about the cutting and stuff also, and i think if you dont want to read bout it DONT. u dont have to go up there and read that stuff if you dont want to! maybe thats there way of dealing with what is going on. know one is saying anything about ur poems, atleast not mean or to your face! so i dont see why you critsize there poems and stuff....sorry if this came off mean, but,this site is for anyone to write poems and stuff to get things out. not for you to judge them and critsize them! so u should keep ur rude ass comments to ur self!
Rhetoric - Thankyou for your calm response to my angsty note. I sometimes feel a little guilty when I post a lot, mainly because I know it's more for Kirk to sift through, and thought you might have been talking to me. Please don't let anyone stop you posting your work, I for one would love to read it.
Teej - Ignoring is a good policy. Thanks for your bump to my sleep poem, I enjoyed that.
To those who have said nice things re my poems, thanks, I've kind of stayed off the board a bit since my blowup earlier... will get back to commenting soon. Your words of encouragement are appreciated.
And re spelling - just note that Australian and American spellings on some words do differ. I know I have misspells sometimes, regardless. I detest Word for not having an Aussie spellcheck.
Just a general comment- I just want to say that for all the time that I have written on this site, it has helped me alot. I have over come depression and so many other things. But now there is a lot of negativity going on with some of the writers. And it has placed me in an uncomfortable situation, because I know that I was the first to make the comment to Carol/Wiltedrose. I had no idea that it was going to become a big issue. And with all the other tension, it has really made me feel like I can't write anything for myself anymore with out it being criticized. Becuase that is what I used this site for. I used it to express my self and get my feelings out. Learning to write stuff down helped me figure out who I really am. So if i don't post for a while you will know why. (and to all those that did have positive comments...thank you).
*Catherine*
Kindred,
How lovely. Bedroom Door
aparajita~ thanks. yes, training and lots of experience. I've enjoyed seeing you come back in strong with new works. Keep it up ..... Rennie
Alan--it seems odd to me that you suddenly appear to comment on a disscussion that doesn't involve you or your work. How strange is it that your grammer and conversation style perfectly reflect the grammer and style of writing as the group I was refering to? I think you're another made up name from mind of a particular person posting here that wants to make it seem as though they have moral support.
By the way, you all can quit attacking Rennie. She's not the only one who shares the views that have been expressed here. I do wish this one group of people would grow up and focus on writing something, anything, and get off the cutting thing. Expressing yourself and working through pain is one thing, but to repeatedly glorify self-abuse isn't necessary. I hope that eveyone here with TRUE problems with this cutting thing get help and progress towards the positive, because there is a light in the end of the tunnel. If writing helps you work through that pain, then by all means, please write your heart out!! But this site is devoted to love, specifically romantic love. Please stick to this in general. If you don't and you're deleted because of it, aren't you just wasting my time and your own? You all should go to poetry.com. they accept poetry about most anything and you may even win something. I think they specifically have a category that is about painful situations and dealing with them. Please go there and see if it helps you. I know it will be accepted with open arms and someone will personally get back to you in the mail within a few weeks to comment on your work.
Changing the subject-- My boyfriend puts out a literary magazine 4 times a year in the Greenville, SC area. We publish a variety of works and work very hard on graphics and so forth, converting original artwork and fitting things just so. We also do advertisements, etc. We accept submissions of 2000 words or less, short fiction stories and poetry and artwork. We have one time rights, if you are chosen to be featured, and you retain your rights before, after, and during publication. If it's okay with Kirk that I post this here requesting submissions, I'll give an email address to send submissions to if anyone's interested. Please feel free to direct any interest or questions to me personally on the Blender board. If kirk gives me the OK, I'll leave the email address then.
Thanks everyone!!
Ladies and gentlemen,
Start your engines. Now Beginning
Kase~ thanks. I've got my flak jacket on. Plus, I am absolutely not angry with any of these posters on Blender now, in the past or ever. I cannot go without saying something when I observe someone threatening others, or showing signs of real depression. Anyone can vent at me here. I agree that Blender is a wonderful site for personal growth. The site is not just read by the posters here. It is a big world out there peeking in. Is your fella's lit publication a soft rag, mag or e-zine? I don't mind anything I've posted being used as long as I retain first and all rights and a publication takes only one time rights on © material. It should be correctly credited and copied (preferably with necessary edits I should be contacted on), and notice given to me when and where and by whom it is published with my permission. Should he find something he cares to use, this permission is sufficient for you to copy since it is publically given. Anyone here should be interested in publication unless they have prior commitments ..... Rennie
kase:
ok, i was just giving a comment! and i wasnt speaking to you i was speaking to her. and why the hell do i care about giving moral suport on something like that, this is the message board where u usally give comments and things, so i did. so why dont u fuck off and let me comment what i want cuz i dont think i said a god damn thing to ya!
Uh, excuse me but I seem to have reached Melrose Place by accident....can anyone direct me back to the Blender of Luv?
Oh, shit.
ladyinwaiting - You are the one and Our Time - These sent shivers down my spine.
B.K. - The Echo of Our Souls - An oldie, but much enjoyed.
Rennie - STRANGER IN PARADISE - I got a lot from this post and description. Thankyou.
Star of David - I will love you - I have completely loved all your latest, this was a favorite.
Jim - Traces - Different for you and quite amazing. You are quite outrageous.
Chris - Postcard, Winslow, AZ - I think we'd all love to send Misti a postcard. Pass on my best wishes.
bloomingrose - My Constant Companion - Beautiful and heartfelt.
mysteriousone07 - Part of ME - I appreciated your search in this one. I kinda know what you were saying.
pam - It's a Date - You sound like you're waiting with happy anticipation. I especially appreciated your comment on enlightenment. Made my day.
Alan--Your comment really isn't worth reponding to, but your one poem has very correct title and I agree with it, You do need help. You have no right to be so vulgar. All I can say to you is right back to you.
Kirk-- This guy is very much abusive and offensive. I think the "fuck off" comment is just way too much, considering I've been posting here for a lot longer than this --well, I'm too lady-like to call him what he deserves to be called. I know this is your site, but this is too much.