* The Blender Board
From: B.K.
Date: 1 May 2001

SCQueen; Well, I'll deal with devil confession, only if I'm caught..lol

bk


From: B.K.
Date: 1 May 2001

Hey Terry; Let's move 'You Belong To Me,' and 'I Belong To You,' to May issue? What say You?

Laurel; Remodeling is wonderful writing. Those handymen are wonderful aren't they?

Crystal; Glad to see you around here again, have been missing your writing.

bk


From: Galadrial
Date: 1 May 2001

Times flies...

Eighteen months ago, Dee and I were strangers.
Sixteen months ago, Kev was "Mr. Urenda", Guppy this cool writer, Kirk was crazy in love---but would Mo say yes? I still had not had three surgeries, and while I subbed here, was scarcely what you could call a regular. I lived in awe of Madison---and Calypso could bring tears to my eyes.

A year ago, I'd found my voice. I tangled with Paul in the comments section---made friends I never expected a world away...but a year ago today, a lurker posted for the very first time...and I engaged him on a battle royale---topic? Kissing, and why men were such bastards about it. Well, he fought nobly---and became a blender reg of amazing skill...he claims I helped...right Einstein...don't think so.

Happy Blender Anniversary to Terry...one whole year...and while he posts to different places, he always comes back, to offer encouragement and support. OKay...now who's baking the cake?

Gala


From: Ali
Date: 1 May 2001

B.K.~ Thanks! I'm glad that you liked that poem...The eyes will get you, everytime...Anywho, thank you!

Terry~ Thank you, dearie! =)

Love and wisteria, Ali


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 1 May 2001

OK, here's the deal: I'm taking the plunge and making it so you can only submit new works using the new account based system. I know there may be some untested and/or unresolved bugs in there, but because my 'latest work' system is less open-ended in terms of months then my old system, it makes sense to make the change now.

Please note: I claimed poems submitted with the new system before May 1 would be deleted. This isn't true. But they will NOT BE ADDED TO HEART ON SLEEVE CORNER for any month, nor will they be up for consideration as a front page pick. The only link to them will be through your author account. If you want them to be part of a monthly digest you'll need to submit them again.


From: B.K.
Date: 1 May 2001

Hey Kirk,
Are you going to scrub our author account every month or will it just get longer and longer with time? How will that work?

Terry; Ah Darlin, Just come to Tennessee and name your poison...I am the queen of cakes..LOL Happy Anniversary!

bk


From: Kirk, blender-keeper
Date: 1 May 2001

BK-- that's probably going to get longer and longer. I made it so it's pretty effecient, so it should be a long time before it becomes too much of a drag. And if then, maybe an author's work will be a seperate link rather than built into the page. Does that seem reasonable?

Another todo: I need to put a space for people's URLs.


From: Jenna Holland
Date: 1 May 2001

Well I gotta say, a lot has changed since I been here! Been busy, but Im ready to catch-up!

Kirk- Love all the changes!

-Jenna-


From: Ali
Date: 1 May 2001

Terry~ Happy Anniversary! (((HUGS))) =)

Love and light, Ali


From: Warrior Poet
Date: 1 May 2001

Kirk~ Someone ~ I have not been keeping up with all thats happened here. I have submitted new work (apparently on the new site) And would like it on the old site as well. How do I go about getting this done? HELP!


From: Kirk, blender-keeper
Date: 1 May 2001

Warrior Poet:
Click on your name here on the comment board. You will see links to the poems you submitted. Use your browsers copy and paste tools to copy the poem into the clipboard, then go to the new works submission page, and paste it in there.


From: warrior poet
Date: 1 May 2001

Got as far as copying (piece of cake) but I can't seem to acces old submission board. Or is that the piont?


From: Star of David
Date: 1 May 2001

Hi...just checking this out. love to all.
Harem,You are special!!!


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 1 May 2001

WP: yes, that is sort of the point. Or at least a point. Taking the June digest as an example: The new system is stricter for me as an editor in that JUNE'S digest will be drawn from MAY'S submissions-- without an option to easily use April's. The old system was a litte looser, that JUNE'S digest will be drawn from any of the ones in "HEART/NEW", with me usually choosing to just use May's. The upcoming May Digest will be the last time I use the old system.


From: terry39
Date: 1 May 2001

Wow.....a whole year. Time sure does fly by among such a wonderful group of people.....Thank you all!

And Bk~ My next trip home I'm gonna collect on that cake...be prepared..hehehe. Here's where I resubbed: I Belong To You


terry


From: h.
Date: 1 May 2001

Kirk
Sorry..i have made a mistake and submitted lyrics without stating the author. I have made the correction. Those lyrics belong to The Cure...
Is it possible to delete the first submission of "to wish impossible things" since it states me as the author?
Thanks...
h.


From: Ali
Date: 1 May 2001

Meilanna~ I loved your latest sub...Very nice...=)

Love and truth, Ali


From: Taboo
Date: 1 May 2001

Testing


From: Galadrial
Date: 1 May 2001

Okay Blenderites:

Can anyone find the dialog from Working Girl---The part where Melanie Griffith frosts her bitch boss at the end?

Something about, "You can put on your act all you like in front of them---but don't for a minute try and pretend I don't know the score---and move your bony ass...".....need an exact quote....


Gala


From: Tanqueray Cowboy
Date: 1 May 2001

Jus' givin' this here newfangled contraption try...


From: Ali
Date: 1 May 2001

~GALA~ Hey, here's the quote you were looking for...love and smiles, Ali

Tess: No, it’s my stuff. Look, you, maybe you can fool these guys with this saint act that you’ve got down, but don’t you ever speak to me again like we don’t know what really happened! You got me?!

Katherine: Tess, this is business. Let’s just bury the hatchet. Okay?

Tess: You know where you can bury your hatchet?! Now get your bony ass out of my sight! (To Jack): And if you really think that I said I loved you as part of scheme, then that is really pathetic...you know?!

Katherine: My God, she’ll stop at nothing.


From: Laurel Ahlfeld
Date: 1 May 2001

~*~prettypurr~*~ thank you!! your kind words have brightened one heck of a bad day!!

~*~B.K.~*~ words like that from a poet I look up to and respect is something I didn't expect from that lil diddy, but I'm glad you like it!! thank you too for making my day seem a little better!!


From: Laurel Ahlfeld
Date: 1 May 2001

I hope no one minds. I'm going to repost Remodeling since it got deleted in the scary new technical system. Props to Kirk for fixing this schweet network up!!!


From: jackryhme
Date: 1 May 2001

whew had me worried fer a bit there ali
............... lol jack


From: Galadrial
Date: 1 May 2001

ALi!

Thanks girl! You made my year!


Gala


From: scqueen
Date: 2 May 2001

Gala? er ah, you planning to use that on somebody?


From: TigerTwo
Date: 2 May 2001

Grrrrrrrrrrr
This is Purrrrfectly wonderful.


From: Galadrial
Date: 2 May 2001

Now Whitney....

What would ever give you an idea like that?


From: TJ Holland
Date: 2 May 2001

I am trying out the linkthing Right Here

that Kirk was so kind to patiently explain to me.


From: TJ Holland
Date: 2 May 2001

I am (again) trying out the linkthing Right Here

that Kirk DID explain to me...


From: MichaelT()
Date: 2 May 2001

Kirk ~ what happens when you forget your password? (I forgot mine so I had to create a new account)


From: Ali
Date: 2 May 2001

Madison~ 'Sofa' was beautiful...WOW...=)

Love and dreams, Ali


From: Du'Doll
Date: 2 May 2001

Ok, I will admit, I am almost computer illiterate (at least I feel so). Anyway, the new submissions page has me confused. I am just an idiot, I know!!!!


From: Devin
Date: 2 May 2001

just checking out the account process...hooray!


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 2 May 2001

Michael(), I dunno, maybe I can rig up a page that can e-mail your password to you


From: B.K.
Date: 2 May 2001

Laurel; You know it's the way you used tools that I liked, so I am going to bump you with Kitchen gadgets....LOL LOL since I collect the old fashioned kind. Thanks for the inspiration. Nothing like the old fashioned hand cranking can opener...HA HA HA my imagination is going crazy now!

bk


From: Madison
Date: 2 May 2001

thank you Ali! I imagine this has been looked up around here before, but I was just wondering where "heart on your sleeve" came from. Here: ". . . Another practice with historical origins is the valentine box, popular in today's grade schools. In England, as far back as the 16th or 17th centuries, unmarried women would write their names on slips of paper and place them in a jar. The papers were then drawn by unmarried men who would treat the lady as his "valentine" for the day. In England, it was also common for wealthy men to throw fancy-dress balls to honor their ladies, and some men would wear a lady's name pinned to his sleeve; hence the origin of "wearing his heart on his sleeve." interesting, eh?


From: Ali
Date: 2 May 2001

scqueen~ 'That Feeling'...I know that feeling...gotta love that feeling! Great description of that newness...=)

B.K.~ 'Old Fashioned Kitchen Gadgets'...LOL...awesome!

Harem~ 'The Dreamer'...Wonderfull job!!! =)

h~ 'Smoking'...great comparison...*sigh*...I know what you mean...

Love and smiles, Ali


From: HerSheNess
Date: 2 May 2001

OK... this is great.


From: B.K.
Date: 2 May 2001

Ali; Thanks, I have a lot of antique kitchen equipment, so it was kinda fun looking thru it, but I still see Larry, Curly and Moe hitting each other with it...lol lol

Jack Darlin; Too funny Jack, too funny!

bk


From: B.K.
Date: 2 May 2001

Terry; Both cinquains wrap right into one another very well Darlin. (Sigh) so beautiful. Will have to try that one too...You always teach us something new.

Deevaa; 'The Wind Whispers And The Moon Listens,' it's lovely, just lovely.


From: deevaa
Date: 2 May 2001

Thanks BK :-)

I spoke to Kirk today, and I've decided to keep posting art (only the romantic/love inspired I guess... LOL) here, but I'll not be posting poetry for awhile, some of this steams from the fact I'm not writing much at the moment and some of this steams from me wanting to concentrate on art for awhile.

dee


From: terry39
Date: 3 May 2001

Wow...Dee,

I love The wind whispers and the moon listens wonderful ....sigh.

terry


From: ~Harem~
Date: 3 May 2001

To Kevin Urenda ~
"HEART MASSAGE" was wonderful. Clever ! ! You sound like a kind and sensitive man. Thanks for sharing....

~Harem~

.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 3 May 2001

To Galadrial,
Comfort "COMFORT". I liked it a bunch... it even made me feel comforted. Beautifully felt, with beautiful words...
Thanks. Harem.

.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 3 May 2001

To h. ~
Smoking was so true, in a humorous sort of way. I've never smoked, but I do know what cravings are like. Thanks for sharing....

To B.K. ~
Pull Me In
I especially liked the part "as only your arm can".
Also 'cry with me too' - so very important.
I hate it when people try to stop me from crying.
Crying and laughing are both releases for emotions...
equally important.... 'Pull me in ... let me draw from your well...
again and again and again" AWESOME>>>>
Thanks.
~ ~ ~


From: Ali
Date: 3 May 2001

Gala~ 'Comfort'...Exquisitly done...=)

Love and stars, Ali


From: cloudy
Date: 3 May 2001

ali- 'into your arms' was beautiful. I wish it was me.

love and happiness, aaron


From: Ali
Date: 3 May 2001

Aaron~ That really sounds like it would make a great song...I love it, I really do...Glad to see you here again...Keep posting!!

Love and light, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 3 May 2001

To Aaron~ LOL...simultaneous comments...Thanks for the compliment...Very glad that you liked it...Big Smiles! Keep posting!!! Love and dreams, Ali


From: the guppy
Date: 3 May 2001

gala...i'm still a cool writer, right?...just a really busy writer...

gup


From: Galadrial
Date: 3 May 2001


Thanks Ali, Harem....

And Guppy...you're not just a cool writer...you're a warmly regarded friend...so there.


From: blue sky to your clouds
Date: 4 May 2001

I have a question...to you what consitutes a good poem?


From: Galadrial
Date: 4 May 2001

Okay Blue,

My writing mentor in college used to say that a good poem makes you say "ahhhhhhhh" when you're done reading it. Poetry is an elegant, eloquent form of communication---the fine line for me is communicating univeral thought or feeling without:

1. Using cliches---find a "fresh" way to say something we're all felt, or understand.

2. Using forced language...and by this, i mean either forcing a rhyme---or using words you don't normally employ in your speech...

3. Total free flow consciousness...no attempt at making it into a poem---just "oh my thoughts are poetry..." ick.

I guess this is more what good poetry is not, rather than what it is...but it's a start. Just my two cents....

Gala


From: Ali
Date: 4 May 2001

cnewlife~ I liked you poem very much...It was heartbreaking, dearie...(((HUGS))...Keep posting??

Love and light, Ali


From: Laurel Ahlfeld
Date: 4 May 2001

~*~Blue sky to your clouds~*~
Emily Dickinson has always been someone that I aspired to be and looked up to. She was one of the first poets to break the formal rules of poetry, forgetting capital letters, using no titles, awkward spacing, and no punctuation. In her mid thirties, she sent her poetry to a mentor of hers. When he told her to fix her technicalities, she said this:
The only good poetry is one that touches the soul and makes you feel the most intense emotion possible.(that's paraphrased. I'll find the quote and post it later)
So, if poetry touches someone else deeply, or even if it touches the author deeply, it is good. Poetry is therapy for the soul.
Love Always,
Laurel


From: ~Harem~
Date: 4 May 2001

To Blue Sky to Your Clouds ~
A good poem.... Hmmmm....
1. One that makes you think or better yet.... one that clears up confusion in your head. OR
2. One that requires NO thinking whatsoever and does all the thinking for you.... so you can sit back relax and enjoy. OR
MY FAVORITE TYPE
3. That takes you on an effortless journey... a poem that flows like a river.... like a waltz ... where your feet never touch the ground. OR
4. A poem that arouses you in some way..... arouses your senses, your passions, your lust, etc.
5. A poem that moves you to action.... Go get em.. ! ! !
6. And last , but maybe not least.... When a writing lifts you, like an airborne bubble, floating you into the realms of your imagination, where you can taste, and touch, and feel, and see.... what the writer is saying... almost like you are there.... feeling their pain... tasting their chocolate pudding, feeling the oceans spray, smelling the fishy air.... Your blood rushing to their angry words....
and after they have taken you into their world, and floated you around for awhile.... where you have forgotten who you are ... and where you are..... then they effortlessly.... and slowly..... bring you back down.... setting you gently but firmly back on the ground..... and you can feel the peace....

These are some of what I consider to be good poems, prose, short stories and great writing....

~ Harem ~

.


From: Ali
Date: 4 May 2001

Elaina~ I loved 'I Thought'...I have many letters unsent, myself...Most of them were torn up into little peices, shoved in a trash can, because they can never be sent...There would be no point...Anywho, good poem...SMILE.

Love and moonbeams, Ali


From: Kirk
Date: 4 May 2001

I don't think "touching someone deeply" is a measure of good poetry or art in general. The cheesiest, shmaltziest stuff can make people weep. It's not such a big trick.

I think the trick is to engage the intellect, not just the heart.

I'm not too crazy about Emily Dickinson for that matter. I remember a high school textbook that put her original version of a poem side-by-side with the editor's revision, and honestly I liked the editor's better.

Since we're bringing up how to write poetry by example, my vote for best ever goes to Jack Gilbert. http://www.loveblender.com/1997september/review.html for my review of his stuff, with two examples. Hits the mind as well as the heart.


From: Du'Doll
Date: 4 May 2001

~Blue Sky~

A good poem has soul. It comes from the heart. It doesn't even have to touch someone else deeply. It has to be from deep inside of you. Or that is at least what I feel about it. I could be totally wrong! Who really knows!!!

All the Joy in the World!
Du'Doll


From: blue sky to your clouds
Date: 4 May 2001

Thank you everyone, who has repsonded to my question. I've just been having so many people stuff me full of facts, I was curious to know what other writers thought.

Ali~ Thank you, no one reads my work much anymore, and I'm glad to see I still have so rhyme and reason left. Thank you.

xoxo
Elaina


From: cnewlife
Date: 4 May 2001

Ali, Thank you. I don't see it as a poem. One day I just found myself sitting down at the keyboard typing. Typing an analogy on a topic (picnic) that I had not even given any thought to prior. I have personally felt this has been a roller coaster ride.

My heart is broken and it took my soul with it.


From: Ali
Date: 4 May 2001

cnewlife~ (((HUGS)))...I am sorry that your heart is broken...I know that broken bones take months to heal, but a heart...a heart can take a lifetime...Writing is a good way to make you feel better...to get things out...Keep writing, It'll help! Love and dreams, Ali


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 4 May 2001

So I just started getting through the submissions for May. Thinking about what I think makes good poetry.

Here's something I'm going to throw out there: sometimes it seems like too many poems are in the First Person ("I, I, I") or Third Person ("You you you"). I think for poetry to achieve art it has to sound a more universal theme. Usually. There are exceptions.

See, I believe in a multiple-intelligences-theory for art. Just like we can say you can't have a single number to summarize how smart someone is but we need to think about their emotional intelligence, their spatial intelligence, their word intelligence, etc, literature works on a lot of levels as well. There's how well it expresses what you feel, how well it expresses some part of the human condition, or sometimes it's important just where it came from, like for some historical reason. For instance I took an "the early african-american novel" class in college. Now, some of these novels are, measured with the traditinal literary yardstick , very problematic... derivative of other works, cliched, overly sappy, unbeleivable, badly dialogued, etc. But even if they were pure garbage (which they weren't) they would still be important because of the historical situation they came from. And it seems like a lot (maybe even too much) of the loveblender's works are like that. They're important as a method of communicating what's on the author's mind or in their heart, but don't push beyond that mood expression. Those are the ones that generally won't be a front page pick.

I don't want to advance this as any kind of final word on "what makes a good poem"-- and I'm definately not going to lay down the law on what the blender accepts, but I want to put it out there.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 4 May 2001

To Ali ~
Wow.... you go girl... it was great.... Made me think... So much honesty and truth, you faced... shared with your reader... WOW... and you also picked me up and floated me... as your words flowed .... smooth as a gravy sandwich.... giggle... All kidding aside... Your words and the arrangement was well orchestrated.... BRAVO ! ! !
I want more.... more.... more..... ! ! !

~Harem~


From: ~Harem~
Date: 4 May 2001

To Ali ~
Wow.... you go girl...
???
it was great.... Made me think... So much honesty and truth, you faced... shared with your reader... WOW... and you also picked me up and floated me... as your words flowed .... smooth as a gravy sandwich.... giggle... All kidding aside... Your words and the arrangement was well orchestrated.... BRAVO ! ! !
I want more.... more.... more..... ! ! !

~Harem~


From: ~Harem~
Date: 4 May 2001

Apologies... I don't know how it got out there twice...
And the first time, it did not show the title that I pasted.
Oh well, sorry.
I was commenting on Ali's new work called "???" which I really liked a lot ! ! !....

~Harem~

..


From: distant moon
Date: 4 May 2001

Blue

(actually, after writing this, I came back to think...it's just comments, but the person with the long name with something about Blue in it started the discussion, so...anyway)

Good poetry...obviously it's different things to different people...because I like poetry if it uses words in a new way... It's hard for me to read a poem if I can guess what the next line will be, just because of the obvious rhyme (this doesn't always pertain to poetry as much as it does lyrics)

However, I don't think that there is such a thing as "bad" poetry unless (and this is a big, hazy unless) unless the author did not mean what they wrote. I feel that as long as it came from deep inside, and it's real...it's poetry and it's good

Some people are just better at using good wordings to express the things they expose.

Humans write poetry because they need to express things, and I sorta disagree with Kirk, in that, I don't think it matters if you use "I" or "You" because either way, the idea is out there, and if the reader can't get past the idea of the I and You, then that is their fault for not being a conscientious reader.

Lots of people think that poetry is this or poetry is that, but poetry is anything...in my opinion, at least....

I think that simple conversations can be poetry...Comments left on message boards...thoughts that never come out of your head...EVERYTHING is poetry...life is "poetry in motion", the person who said that didn't just say it for their health...they said it cause it is true...

The word poetry is just that, a word that we use to symbolize a whole vast amount of things. We name things so that we can make them tangible. Curse words are just letters strung together to embody anger. Even the word "god" is just a word to give us something to hold on to, so that we can say what we believe in. (just to make clear, though, I believe in the God with the capital G...just...felt guilty for... oh nevermind)

anyway...

I'm beginning to ramble.

One thing though that I would like to make clear about how I feel about poetry, though....as I said, all "real" poetry (poetry written from the heart) is good, BUT...life-altering poetry (call it better than good or just life-altering) is a totally different story

If after reading a poem, you want to read it again and again because of how awesome (being the only word useable) it is...and you begin to ponder how you feel towards that aspect of life that the poem speculates on...THAT is a life-altering poem

So in conclusion, I have no clue...but that's just how I feel today...Tomorrow, I might just like the crap the Backstreet Boys sing...lol...but... probably not (never say never)


From: willtobe1
Date: 4 May 2001

Blue Sky to Your Clouds (what a cool name!)-

What constitutes good poetry (to any one individual) is this, as I'm willing to defend by any means necessary (jokingly!):

It's any group of words that adsorbs to you, that becomes unfixably unforgettable.

It sometimes takes years to figure out which bits in life are truly poetic.

The rest is just so much cotton candy...





From: the guppy
Date: 4 May 2001

what makes good poetry?...probably nothing more than the existence of bad poetry

if it could conceivably be in a hallmark card, or a long distance phone commercial, it's mediocre...that's my opinion...and it's my watered-down opinion at that

lots of poetry just plays off of predefined stereotypes or generalities that people don't have to think too hard about...which is fine if that's what you want to read, but i get bored with it...i also think that woody allen has written some of the best romantic comedies ever, but he's not often regarded as a romantic writer

gup


From: sinneD
Date: 5 May 2001

it's my first time to see the new blender and i LIKE it. used to be that loveblender's a good place to hang out, now it's even better. thanks to kirk, and of course to the soul of this site, the poets and their poems.


From: Ali
Date: 5 May 2001

Harem~ Well, thank you for the compliment...But, I didn't write that! It was from a movie, 'Till There Was You...I don't know who wrote it, but I always thought it was very heartfelt, and beautiful...So, I posted it...=)

Love and light, Ali


From: kevin urenda
Date: 6 May 2001

I think (for what that is worth!) that what makes for good poetry is whether or not it evokes some emotional or otherwise visceral response in others through the use of imagery or some poetic device, or just a colorful turn of phrase.


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 6 May 2001

May blender is here.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 6 May 2001

Congratulations to the Front Page Picks, especially B.K. (Rock on, woman!).

As for the Ramble, you are just full of surprises, aren't you, Gala (**winks**)?


From: Chris L
Date: 6 May 2001

Hey everyone...congrats where appropriate... Uh, just wanted to say one thing--and I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade--but Pinky's piece on the Front Page is from the Janet Jackson song 'If'--verbatim, I think. The Front Page shouldn't be a place for plagiarism. Just my take...


From: Laurel Ahlfeld
Date: 6 May 2001

Congratulations to all the front page pics! You are all so fabulous!!

~*~Kirk~*~ If you wouldn't mind, could I have your e-mail so we can discuss your post in response to mine?

~*~Harem~*~ Yet again you continue to amaze me with your work! Will it ever stop? (Lord, I hope not!!!) Though it's hard to pick, "Ebb Tide" was my favorite during this read.

~*~Terry~*~ "I Belong To You" was so powerful. May I just say, "Wow!"?


From: Madison
Date: 6 May 2001

Very nice May Blender edition. Loud applause all around, and a standing ovation for delilah’s “cherish you” and Michael T’s “Mildly amused”!


From: ~Harem~
Date: 6 May 2001

To Laurel ~
Thanks for the compliment ! ! ! *Grin.....

...


From: gardenpoet
Date: 6 May 2001

blueskies:

I like your question.

First, let me give you a somewhat academic-philosophical angle on what I THINK constitutes "good poetry". I think poetry is so much like any art, any food, any fashion. You know, that "eyes of the beholder" thing. You've seen plenty of it in the previous responses. And because I gather from the way you worded your question that you were asking for individual opinions, all of the previous responses were very right. Nobody was wrong and no disagreement was called for. One woman's scmaltz is another man's schmutz is another poet's quintessential paragon.

Secondly, on the one hand, there are some "rules" to poetry but on the other hand "poetic license" is more than just a phrase.

Keeping that in mind, I THINK truly "good poetry" is poetry free from whims of time, fashion, regionalism, etc. It's poetry that lasts and works for ALMOST everyone.

As a slight aside, I, personally, am tired of people using lower case letters to indicate "I" and to start sentences. Great poets of the past used this and other such "imaginative and innovative" rule-breakers with great success because of the novelty.

Today it's used because the internet has created a generation who've never typed before and who don't have a good handle on the "Shift" key of a keyboard. It's cute, it's fashionable and it drives me nuts. Nothing novel about it, nothing imaginative about it, nothing innovative about it, and most importantly, I've yet to see it used to add anything to a poem.

Lastly, I like all kinds of poetry and, doggone it, I'm not sure what the common denominator is.

That's my OPINION blueskies. Thank you for asking.

Joe (formerly gardenguru)
Kirk: you've made some marvelous changes. Thank you so much.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 6 May 2001

What constitutes a good poem or good writing ?

When the words come alive...

When you feel like you are there...

When the words paint a picture...

When the writing plays a melody....

....


From: Riggs
Date: 7 May 2001

just checking


From: Madison
Date: 7 May 2001

Re: caps/slight asides

Enjoyed your response, gardenpoet. No rules to follow, just my personal feedback. When I write, I typically write the piece free-form, but using caps (habit); then a quick re-edit with and without caps. I finish by using whichever sounds/feels/looks the best (to me) when reading out loud. I have this notion that you should never use the “finished” stamp without reading your words out loud a few times (though I've gotten excited and hit ‘Send’ way prematurely a few times, ha) - To me, some thoughts beg for caps, some beg to be left alone, with a feeling that the entire thought/flow/image is full and intact from first word to last without a beginning emphasis. Art, music, subjectivity. I guess on a personal level (oh everything’s a personal level) I tend to lean the same way as you when it comes to capitalizing i’s. Maybe it’s an ego thing, as if I don’t regard myself with enough esteem by leaving those little critters small. But hey, each to their own Id or id. My opinion: I don’t think the use of lowercase in sentence structure is always a matter of being sloppy, cutesy, or a poor typist; rather, a personal choice to change the flow of thoughts by avoiding Uppercase from time to time (or emphasize a group of words by de-emphasizing the first word). I’m very much in touch with my inner Shift Key! : )


From: whateverfreesia
Date: 7 May 2001

It's a shame that random retards have made such measures necessary. Then again, the links are cool.
...Plagiarism is not cool. People should try a lot harder to come up with their own words.
...i see nothing wrong or pretentious with little i's. little i's are watching you.
...The best poetry stays with you. Years after you've read a great poem, the lines will still linger in your head. Some of the best poems are songs. Some of the worst poems are sonnets.


From: Just Some Girl
Date: 7 May 2001

WOW!! Whateverfreesia, great stuff!!! More,please!


From: kevin urenda
Date: 7 May 2001

Madi-

I LOVE that - "in touch with my inner shift-key..." (BIG smile.)
Interestingly enough, I also see an Upper Case Letter as a break in my own writing, since I normally never write in stanza. Generally, I too will read something a couple of times if it doesn't look quite right, or simply doesn't flow. I am much too sheepish to read anything aloud... Not that any of it is all that great anyway. ;-)


From: ~Harem~
Date: 7 May 2001

What constitutes a good poem ?
What makes a poem great ?

"THE PERFECT POEM" ? ? ?

~* The Perfect Poem * ~


~ Harem ~


...


From: Ali
Date: 7 May 2001

CONGRATS TO THE FRONT PAGERS!!!!! BEAUTIFUL JOB, EVERYBODY!!!!! Love and smiles, Ali


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 7 May 2001

Been quiet here lately... hope blender ii hasn't scared too many people off. Pretty soon I should try that "workshop poem of the week" idea...


From: MichaelT()
Date: 7 May 2001

I think that the passwords make it seem a little more work to add a comment.

Madison ~ Thanks for the attention.

All ~ Thanks for a great blender month.


From: deevaa
Date: 8 May 2001

Or maybe people are thinking more about what they post if they have to take the trouble to punch in a password?


From: ~Harem~
Date: 8 May 2001

To Ali ~
"A BitterSweet Goodbye" was wonderful. I really liked it.
It made me feel sad for you.....

~Harem~

..


From: Ali
Date: 8 May 2001

Harem~ Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!...=)

Mark~ Your writing is wonderfull...=)

Love and light, Ali


From: ~Harem~
Date: 8 May 2001

Really, when you think about it... the new blender does not require us to key in a one word name to identify our poem / file (works) to be stored - anymore. / as we used to before with the old blender.. so that is less keying / kind of equals out with the need to sign a password now...
So it should all even out.... not any more effort or work than before.
RIGHT ? ? ?

~H~

.


From: scqueen
Date: 8 May 2001

Michael T. ~ 'Mildly Amused' is a winner! "Beautificully Abused'- What a great name for a cd (too bad I can't sing :-)


From: blue sky to your clouds
Date: 8 May 2001

How many of you write on your own emotion, how many on others, and how many on pretend emotions? Just curious. I've been full of that lately.
xoxo
Elaina


From: Ali
Date: 8 May 2001

Delilah~ 'Promises'...All I can say is WOW...great job...And I love that Willie Nelson song...Right up there with 'Help Me Make It Through The Night'...=)

Harem~ I loved, loved, loved your newest sub...My talented friend, you are just wonderfull...=)

Love and smiles, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 8 May 2001

Elaina~ Hi girl!!! OK, I'd say that 90% of the time I write from my own emotion...5% from others emotions, and the other 5% is just made up fictional ramblings...I'm big on writing when I'm emotional about something, whether it be happy, sad, excited, scared etc...You've had some awesome questions lately, dearie! So, there is my input...SMILE!!!
Love and light, Ali


From: delilah
Date: 8 May 2001

Madi--thanks again, love you. and, I really liked 'sofa,' stop hiding out and write some more!

Ali--your comment came at just the right time, it made my day, thanks!


From: Angel
Date: 8 May 2001

*hurridly popping in to praise* WONDERFUL COVER:) WAY to Goooooooo BK:) And the other front pagers. *dashing back out for fear my guilt may keep me up reading all night instead of getting much needed rest (I've been sick)*


From: Toklas
Date: 8 May 2001

Congrats to all the front page pics.

delilah, I liked the detail in your poems.

Kirk, new format is great. Thanks for all your hard work.
On the workshop- hope you go for it.

Tok


From: Angel
Date: 8 May 2001

OHhhh...and, to me, what constitutes a good poem is reading it and knowing right off that it was just born that way:)


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

Tricia T.

Fallout -- excellent, excellent, excellent work!

The impact was immediate and breathtaking -- almost 'haiku-like'

would love to read more of your stuff!

nat


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

Madison:

He said he loves

nice mix of the concrete and abstract images to create 'one perfect moment'

feels like the scene was lifted out of 'reality' and became a sinuous moment in space...the words just float

brava


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

TJ Holland:

Right Here --

great image

rhythm of the words conveyed the movement of the image

made me want to get the lexus, get naked and drive fast on I81

news at 11

nat


From: B.K.
Date: 8 May 2001

Thanks Kirk for the picks, Kev and Angel, thanks for your comments. I love this place and all of you here. This will always be my writing home. I remember when I found you all last September, it was like getting hit with an avalanch of emotion, written by a cast of characters. Still is, and that's what makes this place so wonderful. The changes are looking good, can't wait for the rest. Keep up the good work Kirk, and 'thanks,' for the opportunity to post to a place I come to almost every day.

bk


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

madison:

i love your stuff!!

the concrete images you use make every line come alive...pictures just flow into my mind -- seeing every movement with a rhythmic liquidity which propels from your choice of words. Your works are always so full -- they force you into reading them over and over seeing some new metaphor or hearing assonance for the first time.

you really have a gift...people underestimate the need to use concrete language and forego all the abstractions...you drive the point home with your work.

Definitely artfully crafted poetry!

Thank you!

Natalia


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

ps madison:

that last comment was a reaction to Sofa

just read it again...loved it even more

nat


From: natalia
Date: 8 May 2001

psss.

i love the artwork submitted...great inspiration for poetry!


From: TJ Holland
Date: 9 May 2001

I just put The Ruins and Remains of Us on the subs page. It's sooooooooooo NOT done, but it was screaming for some air! LOL!

Riggs~ I've missed you. You've had some fantastic work here in the past, and I see nothing has changed!

Harem~ you seem to be growing by leaps and bounds! I'm glad that you are here, getting it all out, in such a way as to benefit all of us readers too!

Ali~ you amaze me girl! Write on!

There's others that I wanted to comment on, but can't remember their names right now...dang! Must post later!

Deep Peace of the Gentle Earth to You All,

Teej


From: TJ Holland
Date: 9 May 2001

LOL!!

Riggs~ for some reason, I mistook a poem for one of yours. Ah, now I REALLY miss your postings! Write sometime!

Natalia~ thank you for your comment on 'Right Here'. Get nekkid girl! I'll check out the news at 11!!

Teej


From: deevaa
Date: 9 May 2001

Thanks Nat.... (I figure you mean my paintings.)

I mailed Kirk about posting paintings with no poetry attached, I've always thought of the blender as a place for romantic poetry, however Kirk pointed out that on the new subs page there is nothing that says the work posted must be poetry... just romance related....

My art doesn't have to inspire poetry.... it stands alone.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 9 May 2001

Deevaa-
but what is to say that your art won't inspire poetry? I find your work of late to be very poetic already...


From: ~Harem~
Date: 9 May 2001

To Kirk - The Blender Keeper ~
Just thought I would drop a line, to let you know that the new way you have the blender set up, seems to be much clearer, and easier... At least for me... *Sigh...
I like it. Thank you so much for taking the time to straighten things out... Your work and efforts are very noticeable... BIG THANKS. ! ! !

~Harem~

...


From: ~Harem~
Date: 9 May 2001

To Ali `
Thank you so much for your continued support...
*Sigh
I am full of sighs today... giggle... need a spare one..?

Snort - Giggle ! ! !

~Harem~

.


From: TJ Holland
Date: 9 May 2001

It was an easy back porch Sunday evening, and I stepped out into heavy dusk. Gazing across the lake, squinting through the light mist skimming the top, I thought I saw him...then lonely strands of his music lilted in the still night air, wafting to my porch to wrap me like a throw...

Thanks Riggs.

Teej


From: Madison
Date: 9 May 2001

Oh my – I’m truly blushed. The power’s been out here overnight (there’s something nicely old-world about depending on candles once in a while – keeps it all real) and the [almost] first place I hit when the lights came back was you guessed it, the Blender. Electricity and such positive feedback from natalia and delilah all in the same 5 minutes. I’m stunned. Your intuition was right on “he said he loves” natalia; that moment was a real one, transported straight from a phone conversation to the keyboard. My answer to the question above: I like to say my stuff is not always real (some part of me loves anonymity), but a lot of reality does seep through - reshaped, rewoven or handcolored in some way. Now... anxious to go read what I’ve missed in the dark, looks like everyone’s been busy!


From: Ali
Date: 9 May 2001

TJ~ Hey dearie! Thanks for the praise...Caused a major grin...so, thanks...OH! And, I read the unfinished 'The Ruins and Remains of Us'...WOW...great beginning...I can't wait for the finished product!! Love and smiles, Ali


From: deevaa
Date: 9 May 2001

Kevin, thanks handsome... I've got the guilt's for not posting any poetry... I guess I felt like I had to justify myself.
The art is doing really well at the moment though, I've just posted off 5 that I've sold and/or giving to people I love, the woman who works in the post office here gives me those suspicious looks each time I go in there with parcel. Probably thinks I'm a smuggler of some sort.

take care of your hearts,

dee


From: shalini
Date: 9 May 2001

Hi Natalia,
Ihanks so much for the compliment. The Blender has some of the most talented people I've ever encountered, and I stand with a gaping mouth in "awe" most of the time. You all give me words to express feelings that need an escape route.
Tricia T.


From: terry39
Date: 10 May 2001

Dee~ Your work has always stood on its own.....And like Kevin says, there is a poetic quality to the curves and sensual strokes to canvas you present.

But as someone who has been inspired to write about your images.....they inspire beautiful words too. One of your images (the mermaid) inspired me to write 'She Swims Alone', and that poem was awarded A Golden Conch Shell Award for Excellence in Poetry just last month. Never underestimate the power of your work sweetheart......it will stand the test of time.......

terry


From: Riggs
Date: 10 May 2001

Harem

Enjoyed the Love Knot...very insightful


From: kevin urenda
Date: 10 May 2001

Our Dee-
The Gangster of Love!


From: Crystal
Date: 10 May 2001

Hey Ya'll I was taking some time off trying to sort my feelings out and ya know what.....I DIDN'T get one thing accomplished! LOL Oh well, anyways I am going to me writing more on here trying to figure everything out so bare with me!
KIRK* Thanks for your comment....I am sitting in the same seat you were I think with the "one that is just waiting and going back for more punishment" HAHA...Guess I am a glutton!
B.K.* How are you??? My email is PainReliever26@aol.com if you would like write sometime "SOON" *WINK*


From: ~Harem~
Date: 10 May 2001

To Riggs ~
Thank you so much for your comment. *Grin..
Unfortunately I have written that from first hand experience. Like so many people, I have always been attracted to people who made me get a knot... or worse yet, made me suffer... But I am working on it >>>>
*Smile
*Sigh

~ Harem ~

.


From: Angel
Date: 10 May 2001

Dee~"The wind whispers and the moon listens", was so beautiful. I loved the title. You didn't need any words...though, if I find the time, I would love to try...as this painting is truly inspiring.

My pen is dry...I don't know why...but, I wont force it. In the meantime I will be content to read.


From: Ali
Date: 10 May 2001

Harem~ I love, love your newest sub! Great one!
Love and wonder, Ali


From: deevaa
Date: 10 May 2001

Angel - your version of The Wind Whispers and the Moon Listens was lovely, scqueen has recently brought the painting, so it is going into a poetic home. I'd be interested to hear anyone else's take on the work....

take care of your heart.

dee


From: deevaa
Date: 10 May 2001

Kirk - any chance of a link to the 'add comment' page at the bottom/top of the new subs page?

At the moment you have to come via the board to add a comment, which I guess in some ways is good, because you can see what others have had to say first, but often by then I've forgotten the name of what I was going to comment about....

dee


From: Crystal
Date: 10 May 2001

There are a few comments I'd like to share with you all. First of all, I have gone back and read some of the poetry I first started submitting so long ago and I can tell a sweet difference in me. Through time I have learned to let my frustration out in my poetry to where as I wouldn't actually speak the harmful words to someone to just wake up in the morning full of regrets. I have grown as a person and as a Poet. I realize that it was so much easier for me to write when I was unhappy, depressed or angry in the beginning, and now I have written more just on happiness. It is strange though... *** HAREM's*** poem The Love Knot just brought out alot in myself that I already knew but could never put into words. Thank You!! You are a doll! That poem almost made me feel you reaching out to me...a slap to the face, to make me realize just because that knot is not there anymore...just means that I am moving forward in my relationship for once instead of backwards.


From: Devin
Date: 11 May 2001

Just wanted to send congrats to this months picks. I'm honored to be among you.

Kirk-thanks for seeing the intent of simplicity in that piece.

-Devin


From: ~Harem~
Date: 11 May 2001

To Ali ~
Glad you liked it. I am beginning to let some of my other personalities do some of the writing now. *giggle... you know, the Harem thing ! ! ! So, hopefully all twelve of us, will provide a variety of things to read. I also write under Taboo. Ooooh .... *giggle... full of surprises...
and in a silly mood this morning.

To Angel,
Glad you enjoyed "Love Knot"... I write because I love to, but also I hope that I can help others in some way or another, by all the things I have learned or experienced in life.... by my many many many mistakes.... So glad that you wrote and told me how you felt about this piece... and that it was some benefit to you.... Now you have made my day....
and I feel Soooo good.... Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me..... ~Harem~ *grin *double-grin.


.....


From: Ali
Date: 11 May 2001

BK~ I absolutly adore honeysuckle! That was a great poem...thanks for submitting it!!! =) Love and smiles, Ali


From: ~Harem~
Date: 11 May 2001

Wow... Everybody's writing here is getting better and better and better ! ! ! I love it.... My mind is having a feast at everyone's buffet.

To B.K. ~
"Honeysuckle Dew"... Ouch ! ! You are sooo creative....
I just loved it... Loved the beat, the thoughts, everything...

To scQueen ~
"Direction".. BRAVO.. So very descriptive... I was there... I saw it, I felt it.... Gave my senses a treat...
Thanks.

To Distant Moon ~
"Trappings" Short, but powerful... Such talent in saying so much with very little words... GREAT....

~ ~ ~ Harem ~ ~ ~
.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 11 May 2001

To Angel ~
"The Wind Whispers and the Moon Listens". Terribly Brilliant, Terribly Beautiful. I envisioned Deevaa's eloquent painting, while I read this. Both the painting and this poem are awesome.

To Madison ~
"Tortoiseshell", Magnificent ! ! ! I especially liked the way that your writing allows the reader to wander through the imaginations of their mind.. seeing and feeling wherever it leads them.

To Riggs ~
"I Won't Write Poems for You." AWwww... go ahead and write them for her anyway... Don't be so stubborn ! ! !
*Giggle.... By the way, you are an impressive writer, and I am always impressed with your works. ! ! !

To Warrior Poet ~
"COOKED"... Great use of metaphors... ! ! ! baking in the oven of love... going stale without the saran wrap of her arms.... *giggle - LOVED IT ! ! ! Your writings are always so VIVID, yet they leave free reign for the imagination. THANKS..

~Harem~

.


From: Angel
Date: 11 May 2001

Harem! Thank you for your kind comments on my take on Dee's Art "The Wind Whispers and the Moon Listens". Also it was nice of you to thank me for emailing you about "Love Knot", However, that was not me??? I have just read it , though, and found it to be a very descriptive piece. Just thought I'd let you know there must be another Angel who emailed you.

Also, anyone, how do I put link on here when I am commenting about a poem? I see others doing it...???


From: ~Harem~
Date: 11 May 2001

To Angel ~ To have the name of someone's poem show on here, so that the other readers can click on it, and be able to read it.... You go to the linkcode number and highlight it, and then click on edit / copy.. (be sure to include the brackets of the linkcode as well)... then come here for your comment, and click on edit/paste. When you submit your comment, the numbers will magically change into the persons Poem Title....
I will do it here, right now... for your poem.. see below..
The Wind Whispers and the Moon Listens

See ! ! !

.


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 11 May 2001

Dee-
I'll try to put that in, possibly as part of a general buttonbar (links to top, view new, add new, view comments, add comments)

Also would it make sense for each poem to have a link along the lines of "comment on this poem" which would prefill the comment field with the link code?

Anyway, down to Joisey to help my mom packup before she moves to england, hopefully this place will keep on running itself...


From: ~Harem~
Date: 11 May 2001

To Crystal~
Thank you so much for commenting on "The Love Knot" and for telling me that you benefited from it in your own personal relationship. It really made me feel great, to know that my writing can help in some way... *deep sigh....

To Angel ~
Sorry, I got you confused with Crystal....
Apologies to both of you....


~Harem~

.


From: Angel
Date: 11 May 2001

Harem~ Ohhhh no problem at all and certainly no need for an apology. I just wanted to make sure that you thanked the right person :)


From: B.K.
Date: 12 May 2001

Terry: 'Sanctuary,' is another three hanky beauty, I love it Darlin!

bk


From: egrieco
Date: 12 May 2001


Dear Madison,

Tortoiseshell was absolutely encapsulating! I especially
love the line: I would guide you to me to places where all
borders disappear, I would cast my reel into a midnight
lake. I love the imagery that came to my mind. How sensual!

Love liz


From: distant moon
Date: 13 May 2001

Harem, thanks for the comments ...i love writing those little things that say a lot with a little... glad someone appreciates it :-) thanks


From: ~Harem~
Date: 14 May 2001

To T.J. Holland ~
Was looking back a ways on the blender board, and realized that you gave me such a nice compliment. Just wanted to acknowledge that, I appreciate so much.
Thanks.
~Harem~

.


From: Ali
Date: 14 May 2001

Premonition~ 'Look At Me' was quite wonderful...I read it once, and then had to read it over, because I liked it so much...Beautifully done!

scqueen~ 'Thriving' was amazing...The imagery was great...Brava!

Love and daydreams, Ali


From: scqueen
Date: 14 May 2001

Thanks Ali!

And Delilah ~ I really like your subs this month.


From: h.
Date: 14 May 2001

Hey Kenny!

Do you think Kenny will resurrect again or was that the final episode?

h.


From: delilah
Date: 14 May 2001

thanks scqueen. I was just admiring your 'seldom...' and 'thriving.' I really liked the tone.


From: Ali
Date: 14 May 2001

AK~ 'I'm Sorry, But Not Regretful'...Well, wow...I really liked that poem a lot...Great job!
Love and lavender, Ali


From: Me aka Niki
Date: 14 May 2001

TO Elaina~ WOw I just loved I'm scared
2001.05.13.16.13.26811
Beautiful...


From: deevaa
Date: 14 May 2001

Who'd be in for an art challenge?

I'll post a drawing/painting that hasn't been posted online before and anyone/everyone can bump it in which ever direction that they feel it wants to go in..... anyone interested?


From: MichaelT()
Date: 15 May 2001

Deeva ~ I really like your latest painting. I like the color. There's an image of fire in it somewhere along with those rosy cheeks. ;-)

Not to be critical, but I would really love it if the hair was also as wavy. I love it when women have hair that's just a little wavy?


From: B.K.
Date: 15 May 2001

OK Miss DeeVaa: You show us your stuff, we'll show you ours. Your challenge is accepted !

bk


From: blue sky to your clouds
Date: 15 May 2001

Me aka niki- thank you so very much. Thank you for reading my stuff.
xoxo
Elaina


From: Ali
Date: 15 May 2001

Harem~ I loved 'Moonbeam's Serenade'...It was beautifully written!!! Awesome, girl! Love and light, Ali


From: terry39
Date: 15 May 2001

Count me in Dee

t.


From: scqueen
Date: 15 May 2001

No fair, Terry ~ You're disqualified...you have artistic talent :-)


From: ~Harem~
Date: 15 May 2001

To Dallasgirl ~
"Can you Hear Me?".... I liked the part where it says, 'Please listen to what I cannot say.' *Quite Effective ! !

To Ali ~
"A Flicker" - was beautifully descriptive.. 'wind touched candle flame, threatening to go out' ... WOW... (impressive immagery)... EXCELLENT !

To Michael T ~
"A Chat, A Kiss, and A Cuddle" - I loved it.... A splendid
job leaving us with a FEAST of FEELINGS.... Thanks..

~Harem~

~


From: PiNoYbOy532
Date: 15 May 2001

Hey everyone this is me Eric I'm only 16 and i wanted to know what you guys thought of my material. If you guys want to you can e-mail me at PiNoYbOy177532@hotmail.com okay thanx for your time. bye.


From: deevaa
Date: 15 May 2001

Excellent.... I can't post anything until tonight because I can't upload from my work machine, so expect there to be a 'bumping' drawing here in the morning.

And Michael... of course from now on every painting I do will have wavy hair just because you like it. Never mind that my model (English Wife) has straight red hair.

dee


From: deevaa
Date: 15 May 2001

BTW - scqueen, bump can go anyway you want it to, you can respond with poetry, prose, drawing, painting, photography, fantasy... anything... don't feel limited by the medium!


From: deevaa
Date: 15 May 2001

'the bump' I managed to upload it!

I plan to paint this over the weekend... so let the bumping begin!


From: blue sky to your clouds
Date: 15 May 2001

Shameless~ Beautiful work...you made me cry, no exaggeration either.
xoxo
elaina


From: B.K.
Date: 15 May 2001

SC Queen; Way to go, on your front page pick at girlswrite.com.

Everyone needs to take a look at this. Very nice work.


Deevaa; Working on my bump right now...lol



bk


From: Angel
Date: 15 May 2001

Ok, Dee, I 'BUMPED' you! Funny, how I associate that with a dance...Oooops, I have told my age :)


From: B.K.
Date: 16 May 2001

Hey Angel; I didn't know you were as young as me...he he!

bk


From: deevaa
Date: 16 May 2001

Gala - Redemption Of A Heart = breathtaking!


From: MichaelT()
Date: 16 May 2001

Dee ~ of course every painting you do will be just how I like it. Never mind that they're your paintings. It's not like I think you have the right to make your work however you darn well please.

It's not that I was saying "hey good job! I think it would fit or flow more visually if the hair was like the background."

I find that life is simpler when you say that something hurt your feelings directly. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings with my comment or come off as having some right to tell you what should be done, and it hurt my feelings a little to read the tone of that comment.

How about I say this instead -- thanks for the beautiful image. I wish you luck and joy in recreating it exactly the same in oil paint. I thought that the way the hair looked did not fit in with the overall wavy, flowing theme of the work, but I now realize that you wished to differentiate the hair from the background, or perhaps that the way the hair looks cannot be discerned correctly from a small image so that it looks less defined than the other smooth and flowing parts of the work, when it really isn't.

If I ever have an offhand opinion or comment about your work, I'll make sure to remember that it's exactly how you wanted it and you don't want my honest opinion, with both likes and dislikes. I shall keep things completely gushing or completely silent.

By the way, feel free to tell me your likes and dislikes about my works, comments, or even the way I smell either privately or publicly as long as it is honestly, if you so desire.

Kirk ~ how about a feature where we can go up to old poems, and republish them as the latest version of an existing one? I'd like to fix "A chat, a kiss, and a cuddle" to smooth out the rhyme, and fix the wrong line breaks.

Harem ~ thank you. I like your [2001.05.15.19.13.21371] of Dee's painting. It's nice to see someone else rhyming -- doesn't make me feel so singsongy.


From: MichaelT()
Date: 16 May 2001

Dee ~ Ooops, I forgot to say that the first bit was sarcasm, and was meant to convey to you that sarcasm is not very pleasant. I probably should have denoted my sarcasm. Maybe shouldn't have used it.

Harem ~ I meant to link to this work The Bump Hopefully that link worked.


From: deevaa
Date: 16 May 2001

Michael, Your comments didn't hurt me or my feelings, they made me laugh. I find it funny how everyone becomes an art critic.

If you don't like my 'tone' then maybe you should try reading my reply in a nicer one.


From: deevaa
Date: 16 May 2001

Oh and by the way Michael, the reason why I disagree is this:

the detail involved in producing 'waves' in her hair would have been too fussy for the over all work.


From: shameless
Date: 16 May 2001

To Elaina :
Thanks for feeling me, but I'm sorry it made you cry! I guess we have more in common than I thought.
Love ya,
Haley


From: Dallasgirl
Date: 16 May 2001

Harem - Just let me say "WoW"...where do you get all the energy?? I've been reading your work for sometime and your life force and passion burn brightly. I've also read of your previous heartaches and I'll just say - it was his loss clearly. It appears you have moved on -so good for you! Btw - loved the limericks you clever girl! And before I forget - thank you for all your kind words.

Gala - I have been coming ot this site off and on for over a year and you remain a source of inspiration. All your writings have been great - but my favorite thus far was one you did awhile back about Penelope (wife of Odysseus)..it was brilliantly done and I recall the work often. Keep 'em coming!

MichaelT - Don't you dare touch "A chat, a kiss and a cuddle" - it's beautiful just as it is! I can understand your desire to want to go back and edit it...all I can say is don't. Save it for the next piece which I look forward to reading...

Deeva - I envy your wealth of artistic ability. To be able to write as well express yourself on canvas. AS they say - a picture is worth a thousand words and your works are evidence of that. Would love to know more about how to go about purchasing some of your work. Do you have a web-site where buyers can view other works? Please email me info as well as your rates for commissioning work. I hope you will continue to share all your gifts with us!

Ali - loved fractured fairytale...great title, great work!

Angel - Please pass along my kudos to Brandi! I hope you will continue to encourage her writing. I began at about her age with a poem that was about why Zebras had black and white stripes instead of colors. My mom still carries that poem around with her showing it to people. My writing was and remains an outlet and a way of understanding myself and sorting things out. I hope Brandi will continue to write as it will give her much solace...especially in another 6-10 years! It's obvious she gets her talent from her mother...keep up the good work!

terry - Your significant other is very lucky. Your writing remains beautiful - only wish there were more of it!


From: MichaelT()
Date: 16 May 2001

dee ~ I'm touchy lately. :-) Forgive me? <sheepish grin>


From: Angel
Date: 16 May 2001

Dallasgirl~Thank you for the kind remarks about Brandi's poem. She started writing on here at about age 6 and wrote some pretty darn good ones, some gracing the front cover. Then she took a spell of 'writing is work' and I just couldn't seem to encourage her. But, the other night I had Dee's painting up on the screen while writing my own 'bump' and Bran asked what I was doing. I told her and she said kewwwwwwwwwwwl !!! And she sat down and wrote her own:)


From: ~Harem~
Date: 16 May 2001

To Michael T ~
yes... I too seem to get caught in the spell of rhyming..
I try so hard not to... I start off straight... determined to stay straight.. but then the tempo builds, and my mind starts spinning, and the waves start rocking back and forth, and before long... I am rhyming again... but not always... just most of the time.
Darn..

*Save me from the rhyme
in Syncopated Time
I really need some help
don't you think it's time ???

.... giggle....

.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 16 May 2001

To DallasGirl ~
Thanks for all the wonderful words.... Yes I am full of energy... and since it can't come out all in poetry.... I sweat it out on the dance floor .... Two of my biggest passions... Dancing and writing.. Thanks again..

~Harem~

x


From: Ali
Date: 16 May 2001

*Harem* and *dallasgirl* Thanks so much for the kind words, you guys...that was just what I needed today...THANKS!!!

Love and sweet smiles, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 16 May 2001

Gala~ Damn, woman! You're brillant! 'Redemption of the Heart' was breathtaking...Great job!

Love and wonder, Ali


From: B.K.
Date: 17 May 2001

Jack, slug, Guppy, Kevin, Misti and Chris, pix, come back and post for us too, we miss you (and if I missed your name, forgive me, come post on the new blender too!)

Sara: It's good to see you posting again. I have always enjoyed your work.

bk


From: shameless
Date: 17 May 2001

To Ali- I'm new at submitting, but I've been reading your work for a couple of months now, and I'd just like to thank you for your sincerity and unabashedness in all of your works. Ink especially touched me because I always feel that lost with my words, you're just brillaint!
Thanks, Haley


From: Na3koosha-Hanem
Date: 17 May 2001

Hey guys,
This is my first time to visit this site.. I read a lot of your work... I have to admit I am so impressed... I don't write poems as often as you guys do... only one poem per year or so... I will post my latest "Escape Of A Prisoner" ... hope you guys enjoy it and let me know what u think:-)


From: Ali
Date: 17 May 2001

shameless~ Thank you very, very much! I am really glad that you like my poems, and that you can relate to some of them...And, I have read your work...And I like it...I especially liked 'Letter to my Innocence'...It was truly touching, and real...Very heartfelt...And beautiful...Do me a favor? Keep posting!!! Love and light, Ali


From: deevaa
Date: 17 May 2001

Way to go with the art bump! I'll post the final painting when/if I ever get it finished.


From: Angel
Date: 17 May 2001

BK~My Tantric Yoga Lullaby , WOW...WILD and RAW;) I loved it!


From: Angel
Date: 17 May 2001

MichaelT~"A chat, a kiss, and a cuddle ", very nice rythmn, matter of factly stated;)


From: Dallasgirl
Date: 18 May 2001

greysky - Have loved your last two submissions. They hit a chord and reminded me of days long past when passion burned brightly...yes, I too knew fire... I look forward to reading more of your work - keep 'em coming! :-)


From: Ali
Date: 18 May 2001

wildflower~ Your submisson was amazing...I don't know if I remember the title correctly, but I think it was called 'You Are The One'...Wonderfully done!

Love and light, Ali


From: Wild~Flower
Date: 18 May 2001

Thanks Ali; The funniest thing happened. I sent "You Are My World," to the man I love (well I thought I did) I got a reply from the same e-mail less the numbers on it asking me to reveal myself...I had to laugh so hard yet at the same time somebody thought I had written to them, some very deep thoughts... I guess I will have to be more careful next time...sigh.


From: B.K.
Date: 18 May 2001

Rockymtnman; thanks for sharing 'My Beloved,' hope you will share more of your work with us.

h; I love anything Pablo Neruda writes...sigh hes the best!

greysky; 'Storm,' and 'I knew fire,' are wonderful poems. Hope you will write more for us as well.

Distant Moon; I like the way you paint with words. Always interesting. 'In Pink,' was a great scene.

Brandi; Keep on writing young lady, and it will be fun for you, and for us as well, to read what you wrote.

bk


From: distant moon
Date: 18 May 2001

BK - Thanks...wow..."paint with words" ...i feel all special and stuff. Thank you so much.


From: Zerch
Date: 19 May 2001

A friend just turned me on to this site. I love it!So much here that I know the next few days will find not much else getting done. I thank the angel who did this.


From: Ali
Date: 19 May 2001

Madison~ I love the poem you did for 'The Wind Whispers and the Moon Listens'...it was truly beautiful...As is all of your work... Love and smiles, Ali


From: slug
Date: 19 May 2001

hey bk and jack - i've written and posted my first poem in a long time. hopefully it's up to par.

and kirk - i love the new setup (especially the reverse order of the new submissions) good job!


From: Madison
Date: 19 May 2001

thank you liz, ~Harem~, and ali ~


From: B.K.
Date: 19 May 2001

slug; Love 'Green Eyes,' bout time, now come write some more for us, you have been missed so much.

Deevaa and Madison; The art-poem combo is lovely. Very nice work.

greyskies; Think you must have found your muse. keep em coming please.

bk


From: B.K.
Date: 20 May 2001

Terry; write something for us would you? I wanna play bump with you...LOL

bk


From: Angel
Date: 20 May 2001

Madison~"The wind whispers and the moon listens", was so beautifully and well written....I love your work Maddy, you are one of my very favorites here...very well done.

Dee, whatever became of Shadygirl? I miss her work. Do you keep in contact with her?


From: kenny
Date: 20 May 2001

h.

What do you do when the only person who can make you stop crying is the person who made you cry?

kenny


From: slug
Date: 20 May 2001

thanks, BK, i'm in the middle of finals - so really i've just been reading, but i'll try and get some more out soon :-)

scqueen - i enjoyed "a good read" - you've brought a new facet to the idea of getting lost in a good story ;-)


From: Ali
Date: 20 May 2001

greysky~ Your writing is beautiful...I just read 'Accused'...Heart-wrenching...But, so beautiful... Love and stardust, Ali


From: Angel
Date: 20 May 2001

*truelies*~"Sleepy Eyes", this one was very descriptive and uncluttered...engaging:)


From: Angel
Date: 20 May 2001

Scqueen~"A Good Read", very creative and great last line:)


From: greysky
Date: 20 May 2001

Dallasgirl:
Thank you, I have felt of recent that I had lost the ability to touch with my words, yours have brought back my smile

B.K. :
Thank you as well for not giving up on me, I have loved and continue to love all your works

Ali :
Thanks for reading and enjoying

Slug:
Green Eyes, beautiful ... I have very much missed your work of late. Please......more?


And if any do enjoy my style.... well stop on by http://www.xanga.com/beforemorn where i have more.
.................Greysky Beforemorn


From: ~Harem~
Date: 21 May 2001

To Zerch~
Welcome to the blender. I have been reading all of your new entries.... and they are great. I love your style of writing. I am looking forward to more. You are gifted. ! ! !

~Harem~

~


From: ~Harem~
Date: 21 May 2001

To Greysky (BeforeDawn) ~
(It doesn't matter)(Jack)

AHA ...... Aha..... giggle.....

I was right ~

I am either psychic.... or a good candidate for the FBI...

he he...

..


From: Zerch
Date: 21 May 2001

To ~Harem~
'Tantic Magical Dancer'-- WOW!That is what I strive for in my writing.Maybe someday I will be so good.And thank you for leading me to the Blender, I am enjoying myself maybe too much!
Zerch


From: scqueen
Date: 21 May 2001

Thanks Slug and Angel! Good to hear from you both :-)


From: Galadrial
Date: 21 May 2001

I gotta get in here and comment---

But for now---

Happy Birthday Terry...tee hee...

Drive by birthday greetings....

Gala


From: delilah
Date: 21 May 2001

kirk--
is there a way to delete the first submission that I did for 'allure.'? there was a typo, so I fixed it and resubmitted. thanks!


From: Madison
Date: 21 May 2001

deevaa, I can see why your new work Allure feels good to you, it certainly should! I love it, and really like the sultry brown tones you used. delilah, the words and mood in your poetic interpretation fit very nicely to the art in your latest posting of allure. Provocative and beautifully done, both of you.


From: honesty
Date: 21 May 2001

Late at night sounds familiar...Oh yeah it is a Selena

song.


From: Ali
Date: 21 May 2001

Delilah~ I loved 'Allure'...wonderfully done!

Harem~ Your new subs. are beautiful...You are full of wisdom, my dear...What you said in 'Happiness' is so very true...

Love and babbling brooks, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 21 May 2001

Terry~ Happy Birthday!!! (((HUG)) Love and wishes, Ali


From: delilah
Date: 21 May 2001

thank you Madi and Ali :)

and deevaa, thank you for the inspiration!


From: ~Harem~
Date: 21 May 2001

To Zerch~
Thank you so much for the kind words... *Sigh...

To Ali ~
You are an inspirational butterfly ! ! ! Bright yellow with white trimmed lace wings.....

~


From: Kirk
Date: 21 May 2001

Coolness... a dream I sent in got illustrated on Slow Wave http://slowwave.com -- it's such a cool site, every week Jesse Reklaw illustrates someone's dream. It's amazing seeing the weird semilogic dreams have written out.


From: deevaa
Date: 21 May 2001

thanks for the comments on my version of 'allure' ... I'm really pleased with it..

and Kirk... how cool is that? He did a pretty good likeness of you, did he get a photo or something?


From: Zerch
Date: 22 May 2001

For Mary Kate: I hate The Way you write...Not! Great stuff!


From: B.K.
Date: 22 May 2001

it doesn't matter; You could have a hundred names and I would always know your writing. It's a unique style of its own, that I love, because it's you.

bk


From: ~Harem~
Date: 22 May 2001

To Riggs ~
*Ring *Ring ...... That's the best I can do....

giggle..... Hope that brings you a smile.....

!Harem!

~


From: Kirk
Date: 22 May 2001

Dee--
Yes, he worked from a photo. In fact there's a funny small story on that that people can see at http://kisrael.com/


From: h.
Date: 22 May 2001

Kenny...

speechless...numb...
Now, would you kiss my tears?

h.


From: deevaa
Date: 22 May 2001

If you have ever thought of taking a poem from the blender, changing a few words and then sending it to your girl/boy friend.... stop and think of how the auther might feel if they found out....

I've recently had my art ripped off, and then posted on the same critique site that I posted the work on to start with:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/Forum21/HTML/004292.html

I'm makes me feel violated and angry.... think about how you'd feel if it was your work.


From: Ali
Date: 22 May 2001

Deevaa~ That is a really shitty thing for someone to do!!! I love your artwork, it's beautiful and wonderfull...I would be mad too, if someone did that to me! God, that makes me angry for you! Love and light, Ali


From: TJ Holland
Date: 22 May 2001

Riggs~

your poem Life Imitating Art brought up some of the very similar feelings I have had at times. It inspired Reasonable Cause and I just wanted to share it with you.

Hope your phone rings too.
TJ


From: Galadrial
Date: 23 May 2001

I saw what Dee was talking about...sleazoid central...and i think the artists at the site should be banning the moron who pulled this! I say we round up the poetry posse and string the VARMINT UP!!!!!!!

Hang him high!



From: deevaa
Date: 23 May 2001

check my xanga log for the next installment of the saga : http://www.xanga.com/~deevaa


From: Zerch
Date: 23 May 2001

He who rips off does harm not just to the person he steals from but himself as well.God forgets not.


From: Zerch
Date: 23 May 2001

For everyone: Have I died and gone to heaven? So much great stuff here I am loosing sleep reading!Now I know what good poetry is. Thank you all.


From: lovebound
Date: 23 May 2001

I think this website is pretty kool
and i enjoy submitting my work to this site and makes me wonder about how many people enjy writting!!!

LuVbOuNd


From: delilah
Date: 23 May 2001

TJ -- I enjoyed 'reasonable cause.' it was strong...i like that.
greysky -- 'shell of a dove's' was nice...keep writing for us!


From: kazual
Date: 23 May 2001

To ~Harem~
Date: 2001 May 23

You paint a relaxing picture with My Delight. Luv it!

kazual


From: ~Harem~
Date: 24 May 2001

To Kazual ~
Hey... Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff, and for the wonderful comment..... Think I might know you from Xanga... ? Welcome to the loveblender.... *Grin...
About the poem.... I love to make the reader relax.... and float... makes me feel like a hypnotist.... giggle...., Now if only I could add my voice, which I have been told has a haunting quality.... I might be able to put people in a trance.... WOW....
~Harem~

.

..


From: ~Harem~
Date: 24 May 2001

To kenny~
"Alternative Medicine" is delightfully wonderful.....
I liked it.... ~Harem~

..


From: j
Date: 24 May 2001

kirk,

do you have an archive of the march 1998 heart on sleeve corner? the link isn't working. we're trying to make our own archive of things we've written over the years & i can't remember if we submitted anything that march.

thanks!
j


From: scqueen
Date: 24 May 2001

kenny ~ I like "Alternative Medicine" too. Thanks for making me smile.


From: Smiling Kat
Date: 24 May 2001

Dreamer--- For the Dream
It made my heart ache for you. Sometimes I wish I could hear words like that! Good luck.

Wild Flower---Passion Play
Very nice! I enjoyed it!

Harem
You're an excellent poet with beatiful ideas. Keep up the great work!!


From: Ali
Date: 24 May 2001

Dreamer~ 'For the Dream' touched my heart...Wonderfully written...It is exactly something that I wish someone would say to me...Anyway, great job...Keep posting!!!
Love and hope, Ali


From: dragonfleyes
Date: 24 May 2001

It was also only a kid who ripped it off, give the kid a break!

Now if it was an adult it would be a different story, but geeze, people make mistakes.


From: TaintedOne
Date: 24 May 2001

Zerch - I love your simple poetry, it reminds me of everything I love about guys....

Flowerchild - I feel you, I do.

Thanks for the continuing great efforts, all.

Smiles :)


From: Zerch
Date: 24 May 2001

TaintedOne, are you says us guys are 'smiple'?lol! Thanks for the kind words.


From: B.K.
Date: 24 May 2001

Tanquery Cowboy; 'Excuse Me,' and 'Love at First Sight,' are both very well done. I do beleive in love at first sight. It's incredible when it happens. If you don't take chances in life, then you will have nothing to sit and rock and grin about when you are 80..LOL LOL Hells Bells you'll have nothing to grin about at any age...take chances, its life and it's wonderful !!!!

bk


From: B.K.
Date: 24 May 2001

Harem; I should have said it was a bump to you as well as you are the one that started it...Nice going, and thanks, for the inspiration!

bk


From: Wild~Flower
Date: 25 May 2001

SmilingKat; Thank you for your comment on 'Passion Play.'

ElluZion; Thanks for sharing 'The Other Condition.' It makes sense to me as well.

Gala: 'More Time To Think Less Time To Dream,' Your work just gets better every day. Wonderful poem!

*)*


From: dreamer
Date: 25 May 2001

ey this is DREAMER the guy thats been writing few peoma bout love and stuff...well i jus wanted to let u poeple kno im only thirteen and i wouldnt mind getting to kno some other peots out there............it'll be nice to find some one witht the same point of veiw life .............so i guess i talked to one of you laters or somethign
bye


From: B.K.
Date: 25 May 2001

Dreamer; If you are only 13 then you are doing very well with your poetry, 'For The Dream' is in song form. Keep writing for us please.

bk


From: TJ Holland
Date: 25 May 2001

delilah~ thank you for your comment about Reasonable Cause. It means alot to me when someone takes the time to share what they think about what I write. I am guilty of not doing that as much as I should. I just feel the time slip away READING everything here, and before I know it, it's time to get back to the jail for another 12 hour shift! Anyway, Rigg's has always written things that strike a chord in me, and so I bumped his Life Imitates Art poem. He's great! And I think your work is too! Particularily, haze, which whispers of ancient things to me!

TJ Holland


From: ~Harem~
Date: 25 May 2001

To Distant Moon ~ Who said their are no Cats out there ??
Sorry - just could not resist.... had to bump you....
and bump and bump.... *giggle...

To B.K. ~ ANYTIME... *Smile / and by the way.... I have not taken the time until now to tell you that I always read your stuff.... You are an excellent writer.... and always give such supportive comments ... And you are sharp as a hat pin, too..

To Smiling Kat ~
Thank you so much for your comment... *Sigh...

~Harem~

.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 25 May 2001

To B.K. ~
"We're Not Worthy".... You really have a way to make a person stop and think.... GREAT...

To Tanqueray Cowboy ~
"Love at First Sight" and "Excuse Me"
OUCH ! ! ! (My special word for things that I really like)
and more OUCH ! ! ! .... I loved them both.... I really don't know what to say, except that you are very creative and brilliantly - brilliant.... MORE, MORE, MORE... Please.. You have a way with words... OUCH...

To AKASH ~
"Never Ending Dream" - I really liked this one.... I was there watching you pick up the stone, I could feel its cool wetness, dripping from the stream that it came from.... I could see the engraved name... and see the look in your eyes as you peered upon it, the look upon your face ..... I could feel your feelings.....
BRAVO ! ! !

~Harem~

..


From: ~Harem~
Date: 25 May 2001

To Tanqueray Cowboy ~
Forgot to tell you.... Ouch is like (hurts so good)...
*blush...
Anyways...
About your writing.... The part about cup size and looks..,
I agree with you totally... It's the same way for me, and probably lots of people... It's not in the looks - nor in the size / but the eyes.... the soul, the aura, the karma, or whatever you call it... An ethereal feeling or force that radiates invisibly when you communicate.... and even when you don't.... just looking into each others eyes silently.... smelling their skin....
touching.... it's just a feeling that can never be described..... EVER... and can sometimes even be felt through their writing.... since writing is generated from the heart - the soul - the inner passions -

~Harem~
.


From: TJ Holland
Date: 25 May 2001

Ali~ your work one of those perfect nights was calm and perfect. One of those nights that people dream of. And you expressed it so finely. (Is 'finely' a word? LOL!)I mean it in the way talcum is fine. Smooth, silky. That's how I felt when I read it.

TJ


From: Tanqueray Cowboy
Date: 25 May 2001

Harem ~
Thanks so much for the kind words (he blushes and bows deeply.)

I'm enjoying the Cat Series... very reminiscent of your risque alter ego. Bravo.

B.K. ~
Thanks for the bump... ;->


From: Tanqueray Cowboy
Date: 25 May 2001

Harem ~
Thanks so much for the kind words (he blushes and bows deeply.)

I'm enjoying the Cat Series... very reminiscent of your risque alter ego. Bravo.

B.K. ~
Thanks for the bump... ;->


From: Tanqueray Cowboy
Date: 25 May 2001

Doggonit! Sorry about the double post... not quite sure how that happened. -tc


From: ~Harem~
Date: 25 May 2001

To 'me aka niki' ~
"One of those perfect nights" - happens to be one of those perfect poems.... You painted a wonderfully romantic scene with your words ! ! ! ... I even got pleasure from it... *blush ... well I did ! ! I felt like I was there.... and your description of the entire event was GREAT... Thanks for sharing... ~Harem~

.


From: Ali
Date: 26 May 2001

wistful~ 'You Glow Brightly, my Love'...Simply beautiful...Please, keep posting!

sinneD~ 'My Servant'...all I can say is wow...

Love and dreams, Ali


From: distant moon
Date: 26 May 2001

Harem - your cat things are wonderful. mine was just a fleeting thought, the cat thing is all yours, no bumping necessary :-)


From: Ali
Date: 26 May 2001

TJ~ Um...Niki wrote that poem! Not me! I wish I could take credit for it...because it was beautiful! So, the praise belongs to Niki, not me...

Love and light, Ali


From: kenny
Date: 26 May 2001

To Harem and scqueen -

Thanks for the encouraging words. Delightfully wonderful - perfectly describes the guy Alternative Medicine was written for, so I'm happy it was a success.

Thanks for your inspirational writing.

Kenny


From: Me aka Niki
Date: 26 May 2001

To Harem, TJ and Ali~ Thank you do much for the kind words, they really made me smile and blush!! You made my day!!
Thank you ;)
Lots-a-luv *Me aka Niki*


From: kevin urenda
Date: 26 May 2001

hello...
anyone (besides BK) miss me? hahaha
I really biffed it this time... my last sub was something I subbed earlier in the month! What a bonehead! UGH


From: B.K.
Date: 26 May 2001

Terry Darlin, We're still running away together, remember the time, place, and station..lol (Just don't tell anyone!)

Kevin; Ahh you know I love your words. Tis a lucky woman you have that gets such deep thinking and tender care.

Wistful; 'You Glow Brightly My Love,' was lovely. It struck a chord deep in me. Would love to see more of your work here.

Me aka Niki; 'One of Those Perfect Nights,' I enjoyed reading very much. Thanks!

Ali; 'Stare,' something about it stuck a chord in me as well. Guess we all have been there. Thanks for sharing it with us.

bk


From: terry39
Date: 26 May 2001

BK~ Ahhhhh sweetheart Souls Surrender is simply divine......thank you!

terry


From: B.K.
Date: 27 May 2001

Terry; 'I Dreamed,' was so beautiful. You always inspire me with your words.

bk


From: Ali
Date: 27 May 2001

Terry~ 'I Dreamed' was breath-taking...You are, as always, truly amazing...=)

Love and smiles, Ali


From: kevin urenda
Date: 27 May 2001

deevaa-
you should do both! [2001.05.27.01.58.32547] had such a delicious tangy texture... like skin for a starving person...

Terry-
[2001.05.26.19.51.9102] is what all lovers should feel at least once. whether you actually subscribe to the idea of "THE One," or not.

bk-
Wow... In all honesty, it is astonishing to have seen your rapid growth in this medium of expression. The tender warmth you convey in [2001.05.26.22.19.5689] is soooooo lovely.

k


From: kevin urenda
Date: 27 May 2001

~~~SIGH~~~
let's try that again, shall we?
Ah, I feel as if a Blender neophyte again!

deevaa-
you should do both! abandoned had such a delicious tangy texture... like skin for a starving person...

Terry-
I Dreamed is what all lovers should feel at least once. whether you actually subscribe to the idea of "THE One," or not.

bk-
Wow... In all honesty, it is astonishing to have seen your rapid growth in this medium of expression. The tender warmth you convey in Souls Surrender is soooooo lovely.

k


From: deevaa
Date: 27 May 2001

*giggles at Kevin*
You got there in the end huh?

Thank-you for your comments... I'm not sure about trying to keep up quality on both art and poetry.


From: wistful
Date: 27 May 2001

Ali & BK: Thank you for your encouragement. You can't know what it means. I haven't written a poem since 6th grade, when my teacher accused me of plagerizing. That was many, many moons ago. But something (someone) has opened this form of expression to me this month, and your simple words of appreciation inspire me even further. I suspect a flood gate is opening . . .


From: B.K.
Date: 27 May 2001

Wistful; The same thing happened to me. I picked up pen mid-September of last year and now they can't get me to shut-up..ha It's the one thing thats kept me sane these last months. It's a wonderful outlet. Hope you will continue to write for us, I really like your work. 'Guarded,' is very nice and is it ever so true.

bk


From: MichaelT()
Date: 28 May 2001

Kev ~ you were missed. building -- I really enjoy that song by Louis Armstrong.
Kirk ~ You might get a kick out of this link about internet personals. http://www.waytoopersonal.com/


From: TJ Holland
Date: 28 May 2001

Well, I screwed up didn't I? Sorry, 'me aka niki' about crediting Ali with your fine poem. And it IS fine!

Thanks, Ali, for pointing out my error. I am TOO damn busy, I guess.

Loving the work here on The Blender. Keep it comin' y'all!!

TJ


From: kevin urenda
Date: 28 May 2001

Dee----
(((BLUSHING with embarrassment)))

Michael -
Thank you for the kind words

k


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

To SinneD ~
"BREAK / Unbreak.... reminds me of Griggs writing...
And I think this one is going to be a Front Page Pick....
I just got this feeling..... It reminds me of Griggs comparison of how people chase love they way that bugs chase after light.... Your comparison of glass figurines hanging on the thread of love... swinging back and forth, knowing how easily they break, but doing it anyway.... for the sake of the ecstatic feeling of swinging.. A brilliant comparison and very unique... You really make a person think about what they do for love.. and the feeling it gives and how easily we get our hearts broken, but how we somehow patch them enough, to try it over again.... Magnificent Comparison.... I love it.... I really do....
BRAVO ! ! ! ! ! Going back to read it again.... *Sigh
~Harem~
.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

Where does one start.... they are all so good....

To Kevin Urenda ~ "Not Far Enough" - wanting understanding to read between the lines - How Realistic.. Wether prose or poetry, words written in a letter, words over the phone or even in person... There is so much that can or cannot be read between the lines.... even the inflexion or tone in which they are said, whispered or shouted... can make a difference in their meaning.... And how it can drive one crazy, in trying to understand..... and possibly avoid jumping to conclusions... BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN ! ! !
also
"Taking Notes" - Reflectively Romantic ~ ! ! !
I love your way of putting things...

To Deevaa ~
"Abandoned" PASSION PAINTED WITH WORDS ! ! ! My favorite part was the part about the waves, rock and sand colliding and the sensual salt of flesh - and love with abandoned - the ultimate ! ! ! WOW - You paint with words as well as you paint with a brush...

To Wistful -
"GUARDED" - Delightful to read - Smooth and flowing....
But the thoughts are what really got me.... Please don't slam that Fortress Door - put a huge rock against it, to hold it open.... don't let the past hurts - cause you to close it too easily..... *Sigh... GRAPHICALLY WRITTEN.
Thanks. ! ! !


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

To Tanqueray Cowboy ~
Wow... you are good.... "Touch This" - So Simplistically Simple... yet so Complex.... Again - Saying so much with so little. I am impressed ! ! ! You continue to impress...

To ~*truelies*~
"Empty Verse" - is not empty at all, but chuck packed full of meaning and feeling... It appears you lose writing ability when you lose love... For me it is the opposite...I write best when I am alone, and have no one in my life...Then I can't stop.... But to each his own... The variety of nature attests to the billiance of difference...
I thought it was so neat the way the last word in each grouping rhymed... giving me a soothing feeling...
ELEGANTLY WRITTEN ! ! !

To Terry39 ~
"I Dreamed" - What a 'dreamy' poem.... and so romantic too... Thanks.

~Harem~
.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

To B.K. Sweetbeene ~
"Souls Surrender" - are we talking STEAMY or what... Ouch !!
(means, I really like it)... You know... Like hurts so good... *Giggle... All kidding aside, you paint your feelings SO VIVIDLY here... "If you merely whisper my name
I will be there with you....The taste of our surrender
Lingering now, and for all eternity." Oh my God, it just doesn't get any better than that.... WONDERFUL ! ! !

To SinneD ~
"GONE" , You have outdone yourself again.. You are a Fine Craftsman of Words - The Sterling of all Silvers, the Corinthian Fineness of all Leathers.... This one gave me aching feelings, sadness, yearnings - deep deep inside...
Only an artist can create such from words - You exceed and succeed in forcing others to feel your innermost pulsations with just the use of words..... EXCELLENT ! ! ! Except that you ruined my day.... I am feeling achingly sad, and just a few minutes ago... I was all hyper bubbly and happy.... DAMN YOU'RE GOOD ! ! !
~Harem~


From: Ali
Date: 28 May 2001

sinneD~ I love your new submissions...they're very good...=)

Love and lilacs, Ali


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

To Ali ~
"STARE" - You have Captured a Feeling that everyone, everywhere has experienced at one time or another... Using just the right words and phrases.... Giving us a TINGLING and TENSE GUT feeling. The idea was Realistically REAL....
(The big question - do you pick it up or not ? ? ?). I loved the metaphor of a deer when the headlights hits him..
BRAVO... God I know that feeling.... you become almost paralyzed.... WONDERFULLY GREAT WRITING ! ! !

To xoxo ~
"Simply Heartbroken" - SIMPLY WONDERFUL! ! - A Treasure of Words.... You are so right ! ! !.... sometimes there just are not enough words, nor any right ones... to express how one feels.... this one was AWESOME !

To Wistful ~
"You Glow Brightly My Love", WOW, You have given free reign to our imaginations on this one. It also has a wonderully lilting melody hidden within. My cup of tea.
Euphorically Written ! ! ! I GRACEFULLY BOW .....!!!

The writing here on the blender continues to fascinate and amaze me.... I am so well fed here..... ALWAYS....
Thanks everyone

~Harem~

...


From: wistful
Date: 28 May 2001

BK: Thank you for confirming my suspicion that this can be a daily addiction. I think I need the loveblender like I need coffee!

Harem: What a warm and giving soul you are! It's clear from your comments as much as from your work. I marvel at the amount of incredible imagery you generate. I can only aspire to such creativity. And don't worry, I'm ever a hopeless (hopeful?) romantic; my heart only goes on holiday occasionally to rest up for the next foray.


From: Ali
Date: 28 May 2001

Harem~ *Blushing*...thanks! And it is paralyzing! I literally couldn't move...so, no, I didn't pick up the phone...If he calls again, maybe I will...who knows?

Love and grins, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 28 May 2001

You know, I can't just get all my comments down at once...I always forget someone! Arg!

B.K.~ Thanks for your compliment on 'Stare'...=)

love and wonder, Ali


From: B.K.
Date: 28 May 2001

Wistful; It is so addictive that I sit here at times praying to mother nature to please not stike me dead for not heeding storm warnings...ha. I am way past coffee stage..ha ha.

Harem; When ever my mother tells of my childhood, she mentions that every time she had to go before a teacher she was told what a wild imagination BK had..LOL But woman I bet your mother could beat my mother in those tales..HA I know for certain that I am still at the foot of the mountain of stories that I could tell. You are way ahead of me already and your ability to rhyme is amazing.
Thank you for all your kind words. I have been a crazy woman lately and not answered many who have made comments about my works. I always vow to do better and then get worse instead at times. I do love this place and all that write here are dear hearts that I will keep coming back to and read for as long as Kirk pays the fees..HA (Thanks Kirk)
By the way, I loved the dream cartoon of yours. I want to try that too.

bk


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

To B.K. ~
So on top of being a wonderful writer, you are also psychic... Hmmmm... I am impressed... I can't believe that you knew about my childhood.... Yes, my mother was told by all my teachers, that I had an overactive imagination that used to get me into so much trouble.... My mother even took me to the doctors about it.... I used to scare her a lot with it.... She felt that I could not distinguish reality from fantasy.... and I had this uncanny ability to turn my fantasies into realities, by just thinking about them.... I did not even have to wish them.... It about drove her crazy.... not to mention my poor teachers.... I was sometimes accused of lying, when all I was doing was using my over-active imagination..... All my english teachers used to encourage me to become a writer.... and they told my mother that it would be such a waste, if I didn't. I just started writing around a year ago.... and I love it...
I am driving myself, and my family and friends bezerk with it.... Oh well.... and I used to get in trouble for correcting my teachers and friends spelling, and grammer.... I don't do that anymore, even though I notice it,.... and now purposely misspell and leave out commas, etc.... because I want to be normal.... and leave the perfectionism thing alone..... Thanks for the comments.... ~Harem~
..


From: wistful
Date: 28 May 2001

Wild~Flower: I'm so excited! I've never been bumped before . . . feels good. And such a sweet note of hope behind those veils.

Hmmm . . . I must try a bump myself. Are you ready, Harem?


From: ~Harem~
Date: 28 May 2001

I'm ready.... Sock it to me ~ or should I say... bump it to me. ~ ~ *giggle


From: princesslove
Date: 28 May 2001

I really enjoy what i see here
this is the truest form of art....now on the net
it's really inspirational:)
ciao


From: deevaa
Date: 28 May 2001

SinneD -- you've been missed in my corner of the world. Welcome back handsome.

gone was as beautiful as any I've seen. (((hugs)))


From: deevaa
Date: 29 May 2001

ohhhhhhh Madi - you don't play fair!! I've been craving a kiss all weekend and you post piñata sky ... *grumble* now I'm craving kisses even more... you painted a beautiful image. (I'm so jealous)


From: wistful
Date: 29 May 2001

sinneD: Just had to tell you that I loved "Gone". Beautiful, painful imagery, elegant symmetry . . . really wonderful.


From: B.K.
Date: 30 May 2001

It's too quiet around here, is it because it's the end of the month. Are you all saving it for the June issue or what???

Gary; are you out there reading us?? How are you anyway? Hope you are getting better, stronger. We miss your writing. Whats going on?

bk


From: ~Harem~
Date: 30 May 2001

To Ali ~
"PROMISE" - Woooo sounds promising... I am so happy for you.... and besides that... This was so well written....sooo romantic... I loved it... Thanks for sharing... ~Harem~


From: ~Harem~
Date: 30 May 2001

To Slug ~
"Milk and Cereal" mornings.... I liked it.... It had a comfortable sound to it.... Sort of like a leather chair that's worn and soft from use.... but deep and cuddly to curl up in..... Actually milk and cereal can be very yummy and refreshing........ and I feel a comfortable love in your words.... THANKS... ~Harem~


From: ~Harem~
Date: 30 May 2001

To Jill ~
"Perfection" - WONDERFUL, what a very creative way you have expressed the truth ! ! !
Two negatives make a positive.
How true... Very romantic idea.
~Harem~
.


From: slug
Date: 30 May 2001

Harem - thank you so much. warm and snuggly is exactly what i was trying to do. i adore "Fisher-Price Love." It reminds me of that commercial "it's a great time for being a kid. it's a great time for fisher price." adore it.

jill - i enjoyed your two subs that i can't remember what they're called (i know i know...shame on me). I don't get a chance to be on the site nearly enough, and it was fun to read something new from someone i'm not so familiar with. keep writing!


From: sportylove
Date: 30 May 2001

Hello everyone I'm new to the blender but I love this place already.I've been looking for a decent place to express my veiws and feelings on true emotion.I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and reading some of your written entries.I'll be putting in a few of my own soon so I hope you'll read them and tell me what you think.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 30 May 2001

To Terry39 ~
" ??? " Written with deep feelings.... I have been the younger woman, and the older woman.... So I see it from both ends. When I was 26, I married a man who was 62... I left him, not because of the age difference, but because he was abusing me and my children.... Last year, I was dating someone twenty years younger than me.... He had no idea how old I was, and I was afraid that if I told him, he would stop seeing me... We broke up, because he wanted a committment, and wanted to live with me.... I was crazy about him, and he was crazy about me... But I thought it was unfair of me, to love him, because of our age difference... Also, I was insecure, and did not have enough confidence in myself.... He was so good looking, and women of all ages were after him.... So I bided for more time, and he got angry and disappeared.... I still get sick to my stomach when I think of him.... as it hurts so much... even now more than a year later..... Reading this story that you wrote... brought the pain all back in my mind.... I never realized that a younger man, could love an older woman like that..... I am quite choked up.... I wonder what might have been, if I had handled it differently... I feel almost sick thinking about it... You expressed yourself so beautifully..... I am sorry for the pain you endured through the rejection, and for the hurt you got from your Dad and the man that abused you..... It gave me tears........... I truly am sorry ! ! ! But thank you so much for sharing ! ~Harem~
.


From: ~Harem~
Date: 30 May 2001

To B.K. ~
"DREAMS OF YOU" - WOW.... I loved it! ! ! especially the swaying hips part... OUCH ! ! ! You painted a wonderfully romantic and sensual picture... and I loved the tempo... Thanks.
~Harem~
.


From: greysky
Date: 30 May 2001

Milk and Cereal Mornings

thought this was beautiful as is.. thanks for this fine read and missed you


From: greysky
Date: 30 May 2001

2001.05.30.10.31.17568
lol try this then


From: slug
Date: 30 May 2001

thanks greysky :-)

hey dee -- i just checked out some of your art on Xanga (i'm trying to get a site up but my computer is flaky) and it's MARVELOUS! i just adore it. please please keep painting - in my opinion you've already made your dent :-)


From: slug
Date: 30 May 2001

Sportylove - Love in the wind is wonderful. Welcome to the blender and post more!


From: sati
Date: 30 May 2001

TO shayan73: I love your poem Friendship, it hit home for me in so many ways. I am glad to know that there are others in the world experienceing these feelings. Thank you for sharing.


From: slug
Date: 30 May 2001

j...home is so very sexy...good job :-)


From: j
Date: 30 May 2001

slug-

thanks...i wasn't sure how it'd turn out. i'm still waiting for the verdict from the *real* critic. if i get jumped on when i get home, i guess i did ok. ;)

j


From: Ali
Date: 30 May 2001

Terry~ I just read '???'...It really touched me, basically to the point where I cannot find words...or rather the right words, to tell you how good it was...how heartfelt, and how positively beautiful...Wow... Love and awe, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 30 May 2001

Harem~ Thanks! Actually, 'Promise' was a dream I had last night...I tried to put it down in words, what I remembered from it...And I read 'Tear Ducts'...Why is it that they say men aren't supposed to cry? I never did understand that...I think now that it's just something society blindly thinks...I wonder where that came from, though...Crying isn't bad...Although, it does make my eyes all puffy!! And I have laughed until I cried!!! That's the best kind of laughter...=) love and laughter, Ali


From: sportylove
Date: 30 May 2001

Thank you slug,I will post alot often.You all seem like a really good bunch.When I wrote it,it was a description of how my guy came to me,he loved it too.

Harem I thought BLOOD BATH OF TWO HEARTS was just amazing and I know exactly what you meant.I've had my share of painful tears but its not so bad if you've got someone to cry with.I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks a few ot a ton of tears are ok.


From: terry39
Date: 30 May 2001

Harem~ Thank you so much for the kind comments. That means a lot from someone who has been there. Your writing has fascinated me since you've been posting.....you have such a range a diversity, and many have touched me. Again, thank you.

Ali~ You never fail to brighten my day, and I have read and watched you mature as a writer for a while now. I respect your opinion, thank you so much.

terry


From: B.K.
Date: 31 May 2001

Gala; Please tell me the 'Ridge Poems' are not ending?? I love them all so much. You will have to find something good to take their place. sigh

Madison; I love all your work and always look forward to it, 'eden sleeping,' is wonderful.

slug; 'Milk and Cereal Morning,' is marvelous darlin, I can see you dressed as June Cleaver with your pearls serving him his cereal with your apron on...lol I loved it!

Terry; Oh Darlin, it's not even hurricane season yet and you are already making waves here. Good Southern writers all have a closet full of bones to make all kinds of music with. Your writing just keeps getting better every day. I love it.

Harem; Thanks, you have inspired me to go out tomorrow and buy my first rhyming dictionary..lol lol

bk


From: Ali
Date: 31 May 2001

distant moon~ I loved 'So Close to Complicated'...it sounded like it would make a really great song...=)

Love and wishes, Ali


From: ~Harem~
Date: 31 May 2001

To Gala ~
"SWEETER", was so enjoyable to read ! ! ! You have captured romance, sensuality, and sexuality all in one EROTIC poem.
It flowed smoothly throughout, and gave VIVID pictures to the mind, while leaving free reign to the imagination.
Very arousing too.... WONDERFUL ! ! ! ~Harem~


From: distant moon
Date: 31 May 2001

Ali - Thank you. i actually wrote it as a song...so, i'm glad you thought it that way. And When A Devil Cries wow, I...there aren't really words for that. Wow, "a thousand things" and "worlds simply bordered. Danced on the edges" I loved it.

Harem - " Vanished " was amazing. I could relate at least somewhat. And I loved Blood Bath of Two Hearts too.

Gala - Sweeter, you'd better believe i'm going to bump that. I had written something but thought it was too...like...well, I'll just write it and you can see. It's the male perspective of something like that. but I liked yours...very...umm...tasty.


From: sportylove
Date: 31 May 2001

Incognito,I hope you don't mind the females reading your
men's guide to a relationship.I thought it was hilarious,sweet and no offense alot of it was wrong.
See it depends on what kind of woman you have to really determine how she "rates her mate" and even when you know what kind of women you have getting her point chart right on is still not an easy task.Keeping her happy is a definite yes and the first and most important rule of a relationship.You guys can try and try to figure us out only a few gifted men can really get it.

Gala,Sweeter was wow! I really enjoyed it.I've been catching up on some the other works and they all seem good to me.Is anyone here a writer by profesion?


From: slug
Date: 31 May 2001

Incognito -- your point system is great! i laughed and am considering passing it along to my boyfriend, with whom i constantly joke about points. not to worry - i'll credit you :-)


From: Ali
Date: 31 May 2001

Harem~ I just read 'Vanished'...wonderfully written...I've had one man vanish on me...Not very long ago, actually...It hurts like hell, doesn't it? *sigh*...anyway, great writin!!! Love and light, Ali


From: Ali
Date: 31 May 2001

distant moon~ Thanks!!!!! =) love and smiles, Ali