Wanted: Formatting Advice

[Fflow]

Its Pat!

Thank you, Pat, for taking the time to read my poem, to formulate an opinion about it, and for posting that opinion here. Thanks, too, for helping to move me one step closer to getting my AV! Woo Hoo!

xoxo

Fflow

 

[Lauren Hynde]

My issue has never been with people not understanding my work. If you believe that, you have failed to understand me. If you re-read this thread, it is perfectly clear that I've positied one very simple proposition:

1) Is a familiar formatting style more valid or "better" than one less familiar?

It has, subsequently, come up that some people simply do not read work that appears different to them.

They have intimated
that poetry should look
Like this.

If that is what you understood from what you were told in this thread, maybe you're the one in need of re-reading it. Seriously.

It has also come out that, if one is not part of a clique, one's work is generally disreguarded. I didn't say this.

Yes, what you said was, "My natural inclination is to read works by people who post well considered, well articulated comments here in the forum. So far, that has proved to be an excellent methodology for finding good work."

How odd.

 

[Fflow]

Sincerely Sorry

I feel that this has taken a dreadful turn. Please allow me to apologize for hurting people's feelings, being condesending, and otherwise coming across as an asshole.

It is too easy to participate in on-line forums and disreguard people's feelings. Postings are abstract and not the same as speaking in person, seeing the response one gets in an instant. I know I can be both windy and ham-handed. For that I am also sincerely sorry.

I don't know what I expected when I began participating in this forum. Certainly not this.

Later.

fflow

 

[PatCarrington]

I feel that this has taken a dreadful turn. Please allow me to apologize for hurting people's feelings, being condesending, and otherwise coming across as an asshole.

It is too easy to participate in on-line forums and disreguard people's feelings. Postings are abstract and not the same as speaking in person, seeing the response one gets in an instant. I know I can be both windy and ham-handed. For that I am also sincerely sorry.

I don't know what I expected when I began participating in this forum. Certainly not this.

Later.

fflow

the only think that rankled me was your condescending attitude.

and i gladly accept your apology for it.

it is forgotten.

 

[Angeline]

I feel that this has taken a dreadful turn. Please allow me to apologize for hurting people's feelings, being condesending, and otherwise coming across as an asshole.

It is too easy to participate in on-line forums and disreguard people's feelings. Postings are abstract and not the same as speaking in person, seeing the response one gets in an instant. I know I can be both windy and ham-handed. For that I am also sincerely sorry.

I don't know what I expected when I began participating in this forum. Certainly not this.

Later.

fflow

fflow, there's so much history in that "clique" thing--there are people here who don't react to it well. On both sides of the issue, I know.

I've been here a long time, so naturally there are people I've posted with here for at least a few years--Eve, Lauren, Tess, Neo to name a few. Lauren brought me to this forum. These people have become my friends over time. If I banter with them in threads--and I really try not to anymore in threads started by people who I don't know well--it's just because I know and like them. I'm comfortable with them. I never mean to exclude anyone--if people want to join in, then I get to know them too.

I used to do reviews every Friday and put a lot more time into reading the poems--I'd read them all and leave comments on most every day. It got to the point though where I was putting so much time into that I didn't have time for my own writing. That is just counter to why I'm here, so I pulled back. And frankly in the past year especially a lot of folks have made it clear--not you, I don't mean you--that anything less than praise is unwelcome. Now, if I have time to read new poems and feel a poem is less than praiseworthy, I keep my opinion to myself. I don't want to offend anyone--nor do I want to be less than honest about what I thought. And people pm me all the time asking for opinions if they don't want a public comment. I understand that some folks are more comfortable with that.

I think a lot of people here who've had a similar experience to mine feel this way. It's a double-edged sword. You want to support the forum and you don't want to step on toes. But there truely is no exclusion policy here--spoken or un. We were all new here once.

 

[Fflow]

Thank you Angeline

Dear Angeline,

It has been clear to me from my first toe dip here that you are an exceptional person, with balanced and well considered views, a gentle manner, and a kind heart. Thank you, sincerely, for your support, and your generosity of time and spirit.

Thank you, also, for sharing your work with the community. It is, for me, inspiring to know what is possible with a few words, and an awakened mind.

Your presence here is, indeed, a bright light.

xxoo

fflow