What is it...

[abu nuwas]

And on another off-topic: Ever get the idea that poetry sites tend to
encourage a rather limited definition of their own product? Like it should
only be going on about touchy-feely stuff like beauty and rotten dogs?

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You may feel compelled to touchy-feel a rotten dog, but not I... not today at any rate, I've just been out in the rain for my annual shower. (We're flooded in today, it's wonderful fun)

I'd say that every poetry site has members who are more comfortable with a traditional definition of poetry (if such a thing exists, and I -- because I'm perverse for a living -- don't subscribe to it), simply because there are more people in the world who accept things they "cannot" change than those who are driven to subvert/redefine/permanently alter with pickles on top. There's nothing particularly wrong with that, since a world in constant upheaval would be a most difficult place in which to park your car, and without tradition we become somewhat rudderless. HOWEVER, and this is a biggie, there's a difference between maintaining traditions and complete stagnation. It's slightly frightening to me that a great many people will dismiss an idea or technique simply because it's new (and there's a good chance it's not entirely new anyway, since almost everything we do is just a modification of something much older). Not everyone will like very change, but then not everyone likes every tradition either. Horses for courses and all that

I'm not sure I make any sense today. It's very wet outside.

---

A pint of malt, now there's an idea... are you sure you meant "suggestive", Edward?

No, Leanne, you make even less sense than did Ray. But I am sure that after you have imbibed your pint, and then dis-imbibed it plus much else, all over the dining-room floor, it will make immense sense, and provide you with a sequel to 'Les Fleurs du Mal', if you examine it closely enough. People will rightly call you the 'Bush Baudelaire'.

I have no idea whether you are suggestive, and should not say id I did. I of course meant 'suggestible' -- a simple lapsus plumae-- but yes, I was wrong, wrong, wrong.