A poem... feel free to criticize or beat me up or whatever

Thank you. You're so kind. :) *nods* I actually had pretty much the same two reasons to not write poetry. I started writing it when I was a child to survive really bad things going on in my life, and though I published some when I was younger, there's really not much of a market for it. Still, these days I'm starting to learn that poetry is just part of who I am, so I guess I'm stuck with it. ;)

Hmmm. I don't know that I would use the word 'kind' to describe myself. My mother would choke on the word if she had to use it to describe me. If my sister heard you say it, she would probably get a look like the cat who ate the canary from trying to keep the 'if you only knew' expression from her face. My kids would just laugh. Not that I don't have a compassionate side. And not that I'm not a nice person, but my response to your poetry was not kindness, wishing you well was not kindness. It was honesty. There's a difference.

Hmm. I throw the word kind around easily when it comes to other people. I grew so used to being treated poorly that whenever anyone doesn't treat me poorly I consider it extreme kindness. So forgive me if I miss the mark with that word, it's simply something I have a hard time understanding.

Thanks! I was a little nervous about sharing my poetry, since I haven't done so much in a while, so thanks for your encouragement.

*nods* Writing is very personal to me, yes. When I was younger I had some things published, but all the sending things out to be considered was just too nerve wracking for me. I would twiddle my thumbs and wait for the rejection or acceptance, and wonder what was happening to my poor dear little poem out there. :P

I know exactly what you mean hon. Im nervous about sharing my writtings of any kind with anyone. Its hard to give up something personal, something you feel and understand. Kudos for being so brave! hehe xx

Thanks for the kind comments. You should never expect to be criticized or beaten up for expressing yourself. Always expect the best, as impossible as that may seem. You will be surprised at what happens when you think good thoughts. I am sure you have already experienced this in your life. Cheers.

Yeah, yeah, I need to be more positive. I know. :P It's happening, slowly but surely! =)

*smiles* Thank you. I was hoping you would be here, I value your opinion greatly. Closing the doors of memory and the windows of prediction is something that I have given great thought to, and so when my fingers wrote this poem while I wasn't looking, it reminded me of the importance of those actions.

Well, it depends what you really mean, it seemed to me that prediction was not really quite what you meant. Poetry shares with philosophy a concern for the accuracy and precision of expression. Perhaps, 'perception' though that also doesn't seem quite right. Again 'association' also is not right. Hmmmm, can't think all the best urban

Well, I meant to not look at the future... not predict. See, I'm closing the doors of memory (thus the past) and the windows of prediction (the future).

Thanks for the criticism! Is there another word you think would work better there? I'm really not sure how else to express my thought... but I'll have to think about it.

Yup, it's definitely alive and well. It is a little less visible in the public eye now, and breaking through into publishing is pretty tough for poets... but there are still those of us writing!

Hehe, yup yup! I can imagine I would be a lot more messed up without poetry.. it's made a good outlet for me over the years. :)

Thank goodness! The world or people like us anyway would be even more messed up without it.:)

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! Yes, that saying very much fits! :)

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that. Very honest and emotionally charged!

Wow, I'm surprised I got that right, kind of. Interpreting other peoples poetry is not something I try to or like to do, but this one really spoke those words to me, and I really did love reading it. You said it beautifully. Keep 'em coming. Ok, I've got one I'd like to share with you. I started this poem almost 30 years ago, and just finished it within the last week or two. When you read it, you'll probably see why. Darling boy, oh heart of mine, my grapes of wrath are on the vine. Will you pluck them, suck them dry, leaving bitter tears to cry? And turn to raisins, left in dust, upon the fencing hard with rust, or grow with love and cultivate the fruit you should appreciate. To age with grace and share a life, with you as husband, me as wife, and lift a cup in joyous toast, to life, from which we drew the most? Ok, I lay myself open to you on this one..........

Yeah, I suppose that seeing so many writers out there could make you feel lost. But then again, if you know you have something new to offer, then it wouldn't hurt to share it with others. Sometimes a change in words or style could inspire others in a way another writer couldn't. Kudos to you for trying to regain your confidence in writing ;).

Thank you. I'm trying to learn to be more confident about sharing my work. When I was young, I was very confident about it, but growing up also made me realize how many poets were out there, and how my poetry would easily just get lost in the mix. So I'm starting to work on getting that old confidence back. :P

It's a matter of choosing between the pretty & the dangerous ones. Hmmmm..... DANGEROUS IT IS.

Thank you. :) You don't need words though, you have other talents. ;)

O.K. I'm not literally inept. Just don't ask me to play any music. The last drum I assaulted is still in therapy.

I really enjoyed it! I think you have more talent than you think! ;P

*giggles* It's doing better than my last drum then... I think it's in a coma. ;P

Thankyou for explaining. Take no notice of me...everyone else 'saw' your mood and what you were feeling. Even with your explanation and looking 'between the lines' all I get is that you are looking at a moment in present time. I don't feel your sadness, loss or joy as others did. Now, that surprises me because I thought I was more perceptive than that. Oh well, another lesson learned for me...I'll try much harder next time. Thanks for sharing. xx

Hmm, it was a rather complicated mood. Sort of an accepting the world for what it is and choosing to see the beauty mood. To be honest, the poem starting out by looking out my window. I was on the phone, and describing the view to a friend. Something about both seeing that view and talking about it out loud made it stick in my head, and therefore turn into this poem. What I'm saying in this poem is that my memory and my predictions for the future hold much that is not beautiful, and yet this moment is beautiful. Therefore I accept this moment, this view, and close the "doors of memory" and "windows of prediction", so that I may see only what is now. Eh, I suppose if you didn't understand the poem, then my explaining it to you might not help much. If the poem cannot be understood on its own, then it is probably not as good as I thought it was. :P Thanks for reading anyway!

Thanks, Toni! =)

Great Poem!Keep going with it....you have a true gift. Thanks for sharing Cheers

I truly commend you for posting poetry and taking a chance on something u feel so strongly about. I like the poem and hope u continue to post poems.

Thank you. :) I sometimes write those more structured poems as well, but I'm better with this sort of free form.

*nods* Usually poetry just flows for me, so I don't worry about the format much. When I mess with those specific formats, it's because I have an idea but the poetry isn't flowing. Thanks for your suggestion.

yeah...just write the format that you love...i mean, in poetry, each one is licensed to create his own...but really, you are a good poet...keep on writing more...and you'll surely develop this craft

Thank you. :) Thanks for your encouragement. I must admit I have gotten insecure about my poetry in the past few years because I do feel I am rusty, so it's nice to have encouragement. I'll try to share more of my poems. :)

Your poem is good. Why would anyone want to criticize? Who are we to criticize? Ithink you did a vry good job and you should continue to write .. you have a gift not many people can put the words together & make a poem so goodluck and hope to see more ofyour writing!

vry niceeeee

Thanks so much! I write a lot, so I'll have to share more here. :)

Wow, that's a great compliment! It's nice when people who are into poetry relate to my poems, but when someone who doesn't even generally like poetry relates to it, that's just awesome! Thank you! :)

Thanks! I'll be sure to do so! :)

You know, I've heard about those websites but I haven't done much with them as of yet. I'll have to look into it more. Thanks for all the suggestions! I really appreciate it!

Thank you! That's kind of the mood I'm going for with my current writing... I'm trying to keep it hopeful despite the pain and sadness I've endured. It's survivor poetry, you know? Good luck with your book!

Thank you for reading! I appreciate your encouragement.

Thank you! I appreciate your input! :)