A message from the General (not a poem): In The Name Of Poetry and Common Sense
Picture drawn by Terrence Michael Sutton /aussiepoet ..
'The following you are about to read is NOT about me personally but my own personal views and response (and my full support) to the email that was sent to me regarding the way things have been going on this site recently. I have posted the email at the bottom of this lecture:
~~What sad times are these..People leaving poetrypoem because of cowards leaving nasty feedback to other poets, people who can't write poetry and neither their name, so that person can respond back..Cowards!..I would use another word beginning with C but child lock is on this site..We have all in a fit of emotion and anger written poems about people expressed our anger or hurt..I know i have, stupidly too, i have taken those poems now down..i have never been good at holding grudges, i am passionate and sensitive not always a good combination: but: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DOESN'T MAKE IT ALRIGHT TO START A FIGHT! Poems written in the heat of emotion can be forgiven..but people stalking, expressing their anger and pure malicious and nastiness in other peoples feedback simply isn't on..We can't change it, but we can let it be known that this Internet bullying is going on here on poetrypoem and will not be tolerated..Let me tell you about a few things, firstly poetry and poets..Poetry is an outlet of emotions, poets our emotional people, many have deep rooted issues, many of these issues are expressed in poetry form..in other words Poets are nuts!!..Writing ones emotions is fine being a nut is fine, but a whole website full of them..expect trouble! secondly, this site is a great place for young people to come and write their thoughts and adolescence fears of love and hate, loss and growing up, that's what poetry really is, a friend to us all when we are in a dark place and a friend to us when we are out of that dark place, poetry is our companion, and it's a gift, a special gift all of us here have it, so don't abuse it!..Thirdly, well done to those people who win competitions by cheating, what exactly have you won? A free poetry contest on a free site.big bloody deal..who cares..And to cheat, (because that is what you are doing), cheating to Win a something that is free and pointless, very sad..On a similar point, these poets who think they are better than other poets because of their grammar, spelling or experience in writing poetry! Don't EVER think you are better than anyone else because you have some work published or have a few books out...well done but anyone can get published these days if they want, and lets be honest you'll never ever make a living out of it, how many famous poets do you know?? And finally...I have been running my creative workshop For drug and alcohol addicts for almost 6 months now..These people have never written a poem in their lives, some have never been to school, drugs and the street and drinking alcohol and stealing to get the next hit is all they have ever known..And they come in on a Monday afternoon and they say things like " I can't write poetry" or "I can't even write" , "what about my spelling and English.."..etc etc etc..and i will tell them what i will tell you.."Poetry is not a spelling test, it is not an English exam. As long as you can read it, then it's fine"..I then say "that poetry is like art, there are many, many styles, some people wont like some styles whilst others will do..But art is art, just as poetry is poetry, one word can be poetry, anything that is self expression is poetry.The success i have had with my students/clients in terms of them being able to write down deep rooted emotions is now 100% They have now acquired the art of seeing and feeling and being able to write it down on paper in a free flowing verse.... always remember POETRY IS EMOTION NOT COMMOTION!"........It is time to stop this nonsense on here, if those out there are still hell bent on writing nasty feedbacks, come and write them to me..i don;'t care, i have dealt with a lot worse..but remember this also and this includes the haters and sados, even the cheats..WE ARE ALL POETS, we all share this beautiful gift..So lets put aside the idiocy and place it with ink...
General Matthew Thomas Bartram
"the email that is being circulated..I think it should be reminder to us all why we are here...Matt"
To All Poetry Poem Poets ..
I have noticed that poets are fading on poetry poem and it worries me for ..
I have been here for a few years now and I respect all on here and their
poetry as I do their thoughts n feelings ..
I know there has been a few giving negative feed back / I never have in
my life but some have apparently .. I have gotten a few OFF remarks but
I try to ignore them .. However I in all honesty have watched a few of my
Admired fellow poets leave .. I myself am not everyone's cup of tea as
others too write as they write but so be it ..
However if you would pass this around for in the name of freedom of
writing poetry and poetic license .. Can we not simply have a all stand
together and keep poetry poem as it always was ..
Come on one and all .. It is your poetry home too and lets all
Protect It ..Love being here ..As you all do too ..
So many are leaving ..
( Would not harm to add your name to this and pass it on .. )
Ray Wills gypsy poet /durzetbaird
