04-02-2013, 04:25 PM
For those of you who like me cannot play chess, but have been inspired by the spark of creative output that the poetry chess game has engendered for Todd and Brandon there is a sort of non chess version I have found at this link. www.napowrimo.net It is a national poetry write month idea to spark creativity. The basic plan is that they will put up some prompts and thoughts - and then the rest is up to you. (I appreciate that effectively this is no different from coming on this site and reading any number of inspirational poems in various stages of development).
I have to confess that just recently I have felt repressed in my writing endeavours and have a reduced inclination to post because of the recent atmosphere of projected personal authority on what constitutes perfectionism. Please don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of this site and have spoken on quite a few occasions to praise the site and the Mods who (in my opinion) selflessly help everyone. It is more to do with the collective attitude that prevails. As Billy mentioned to me only recently, the site is really only possible because of the input of the members. Accordingly the site is then a bit like any social event or gathering in that it is liable to be flavoured with the strongest personality or most opinionated / authoritative voice. It is in the nature of man to fall into step and not be seen to be different (and whilst perhaps poets are not as inclined to do this as the rest of the population the undercurrent is still there), for me when I come on site today I do not feel the same sense of coming home to a safe place that I did when a couple of months ago.
. Today, I feel nervous again and unsure of myself. I'm reluctant to post because I (personally) don't feel able to cope with the level of condescension and poetic mocking that has crept onto every level of thread. (To be showcased and applauded elsewhere...and this is the root of my feelings).
I hesitated where to post this thread / thought. I'm not really looking for a discussion. (and certainly not an argument). It is just a feeling / thought expressed. Something that I currently feel. As is the case, after we have written a poem, what I felt at the time of writing might not necessarily be what another perceived upon reading. I appreciate that there will be many who will disagree with what I have expressed here. In part this is why I have posted the link. This is what I intend to do with myself to try and shake off these feeling. It could just be me and in due course someone will give me a timely slap and the re-set button will be activated, I will muchie up and stop being pathetic...meanwhile I'm off to play chess without a board or pieces!
No doubt I will not be away for very long.
As I used to say to the kids when it was past bedtime and I wasout of energy "Sorry this facility is currently out of action...normal service will be resumed tommorow" (Just as soon as I find the re-set button
)
(Perhaps poetry is not meant to be safe and I have a odd view of what poetry offers to both the writer and the reader...perhaps that is a better discussion than this thread).
I have to confess that just recently I have felt repressed in my writing endeavours and have a reduced inclination to post because of the recent atmosphere of projected personal authority on what constitutes perfectionism. Please don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of this site and have spoken on quite a few occasions to praise the site and the Mods who (in my opinion) selflessly help everyone. It is more to do with the collective attitude that prevails. As Billy mentioned to me only recently, the site is really only possible because of the input of the members. Accordingly the site is then a bit like any social event or gathering in that it is liable to be flavoured with the strongest personality or most opinionated / authoritative voice. It is in the nature of man to fall into step and not be seen to be different (and whilst perhaps poets are not as inclined to do this as the rest of the population the undercurrent is still there), for me when I come on site today I do not feel the same sense of coming home to a safe place that I did when a couple of months ago.
. Today, I feel nervous again and unsure of myself. I'm reluctant to post because I (personally) don't feel able to cope with the level of condescension and poetic mocking that has crept onto every level of thread. (To be showcased and applauded elsewhere...and this is the root of my feelings).I hesitated where to post this thread / thought. I'm not really looking for a discussion. (and certainly not an argument). It is just a feeling / thought expressed. Something that I currently feel. As is the case, after we have written a poem, what I felt at the time of writing might not necessarily be what another perceived upon reading. I appreciate that there will be many who will disagree with what I have expressed here. In part this is why I have posted the link. This is what I intend to do with myself to try and shake off these feeling. It could just be me and in due course someone will give me a timely slap and the re-set button will be activated, I will muchie up and stop being pathetic...meanwhile I'm off to play chess without a board or pieces!
No doubt I will not be away for very long.
As I used to say to the kids when it was past bedtime and I wasout of energy "Sorry this facility is currently out of action...normal service will be resumed tommorow" (Just as soon as I find the re-set button
) (Perhaps poetry is not meant to be safe and I have a odd view of what poetry offers to both the writer and the reader...perhaps that is a better discussion than this thread).