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Open Poetry #41
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A Repost About Me And PiP And Poetry
| Open Poetry #41 |
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A Repost About Me And PiP And Poetry |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows 
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This originally was written in response to someone who managed to find my email address (yes, I know that is not supposed to happen here) and then began through a blind "hotmail" account to send me badly written, sophomoric critiques of the topics and content of the poetry I chose to post here at PiP. I know my writings are not universally popular ( *smile* ) some of the content is obscure and much of my craft could be better, but what bothered me more than the misspellings and poor grammar of the comments was that the person was a coward and chose to hide in anonymity. The result though was positive for me in that I realized what I liked about this blue page place and what it had unexpectedly come to mean for me. So, I wrote this then and posted it here three years ago. Well, there has been a lot of verse under the bridge since then, and a few unexpected crises in life. I came across this by accident tonight in looking for something else for a small collection. I had forgotten it. I am told lately that I could forget my...well, never mind that. Anyway, in reading it I was reminded of why I wrote it but more importantly for me, what I realized in its writing is still true for me today. I just wanted to share it here again, to say thanks and to wish you all a good new year. It's Christmas, You might Not Like It, But This Is What I Feel I've been chastised, for writing angry poetry, especially at a time of year when sugar plums should feel like Fred Astaire saluting Arthur Murray. I am not offended by the charge, my words are after all my responsibility, I may even see one day if I can carve some kind of bebop poetry just to please the people who come here to soothe their souls' abrasions. I guess, this critic feels I am supposed to be absorbing some ethereal form of Prozac from the air, some essence, without the distilled vapors of despair that stain the simple thoughts of peace on earth, goodwill toward men, but then again, I write what rattles on inside me while awake and beats tattoos upon my soul when I try to sleep. I keep reflecting on what I've known since I was small; as I've written here at times to say, I write poetry because it is the only way to drag out of my soul the shards of shattered glass, of broken mirrors, that reflect my thoughts and memories. I've enjoyed my stay at PiP, much more than I take the time to say; I like the way I see poets bathing spirits in the waters of this freedom, and I appreciate the friendships I've seen flourishing amongst people who might never turn a glance toward passing strangers in a rush, or accept the physically disturbing, on the common streets we all need to travel just trying to survive. Oh, we struggle with our politics and often have to stretch to reach beliefs we can't quite grasp, but here I've seen the many shed gender, race and age, overcome geography and distance, just to take the simple chance of touch, the chance that frightens most of us so much. It has been great to meet the few I seem to have known forever, and to be welcomed often by others whose paths I'd never cross. I think about the loss of never having met you all, the loss I would not have understood, except to feel the echoes of an empty wind that whispered, "They are somewhere; they are real." ©2004, 2007 by icebox |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Your honest and forthright way of writing is precisely why you are one of my favorite poets on this site. I think true poets are able to respect the opinions of others even if they don't agree with them. Poetry would be pretty boring if we all wrote the same kind of poetry and were always in agreement. Keep on writing it your way. You have a very loyal audience Mr.Ice Box. Happy New Year, Ida |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
this is wonderful!...particularly: "at a time of year when sugar plums should feel like Fred Astaire saluting Arthur Murray(!)"; "I may even see one day if I can carve some kind of bebop poetry just to please the people who come here to soothe their souls' abrasions."; And: "...absorbing some ethereal form of Prozac from the air," v. serious applause for this 'reposted' penning! |
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WindWalker Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218 |
I to like Your honest and forthright way of writing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Mr C, you are poetic, witty, passionate and compassionate, and this reader cannot even imagine this site without you. I love your candor and easy conversational style, your ability to paint reality with words. Even when it is painful, you make truth palatable for those of us who hunger for more than pablum. Thank you for ignoring the gnats. |
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Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
It sounds like a bad case of jealousy and a sneaky way of trying to bring you down to his level. So glad that didn't happen. Joyce |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
" am supposed to be absorbing some ethereal form of Prozac from the air," Um, not that I'm an expert mind you, but I'm pretty sure that's hydrocodone. Wait. *sniff* Could be percocette.  And a tinge of merlot. and maybe patchoulli? weird. I'm so proud I was your first stalker! (and I ain't the anonymous kind, folks, so no, "tain't" me) I'm just glad you stuck around!  I'm gonna burn a notebook for old time's sake tonight too...MUAH |
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TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
You write good poems sir. We write but not to feed other's taste. Have a great New Year!!!!  |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
You are all very kind. Thank you. Ms. Witch, never patchoulli (it opens too many windows of memory), and though merlot has become a regular table visitor here, tonight I opened a 30 year old Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that I recently found hiding (lost?) in the depths of my cellar. Luck was with me and it had survived its long sleep. For me a rare and unexpected treat. Truly a wine from another time. The funniest comment in the room tonight was a heartfelt, "Oh my God!" followed by a silly smile and, "I'd forgotten wine could be that good. More, please." Sometimes when life has taken me away from here, I feel that way about many of the poets here, new and old, when I return. It is Ron's generousity that makes all this possible, and I sincerely thank him for that, but it is the guests who make it the place that it is. Thank you all. Have a great New Year. charly |
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TomMark Member Elite
since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133LA,CA |
You even have a cellar!! I don't have one. What else is down there?  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Happy New Year, Charly! And, thanks for bringing this poem back around. Couldn't possibly have said my similar sentiments any better. What I love most about your poems....all of them....is that they are real! 'Course, there's much more I could expound on....you know me  but suffice it to say, I'd like to buy into that small colleciton you're putting together! A toast to your health and happiness in 2008! |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Happy New Year, Charly! A wonderful write as usual and I for one always enjoy reading you. You have a depth quite uncommon these days and the language to go with it. May 2008 bring all you are hoping for but it's no good really just to "hope". One must "know". It is a pleasure knowing you through your poetry. Helen |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
except to feel the echoes of an empty wind that whispered, "They are somewhere; they are real." Yes we are real! And you bring your reality on to these pages with incredible poetic power, which I always appreciate and enjoy. My husband tends to think that I am wasting my time here, but it is because I feel "we are real" that I know how precious our exchange really is. Love and Happy New Year, Charly! Margherita |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Although I don't write as well as you and lack many of your experiences...I feel the same way as your poem and response to others.  M |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"I think about the loss of never having met you all, the loss I would not have understood, except to feel the echoes of an empty wind that whispered, "They are somewhere; they are real."" that struck me hard...but this is your thread and I won't go into it.. I find it a bit funny that you had an internet stalking critic...that person must have an entire host of issues.... I have always loved your contributions on these pages, Icy. These halls of blue would be so, so much less without you.  "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
what a coward indeed I agree with all above me here. This place wouldn't be the same without you C Happy New Year |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
...which brings me to mention something I've not forgotten and will never forget... back in March 2006 when I returned from my "mandatory vacation" from PIP with a poem called 'Keep The Fire Lit', you wrote a reply that really just touched me beyond what any words could say and will stay with me forever...not to mention what you've done for me on my most recent vacation thank you for being here C, you mean so much to so many |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Dear Charly...your wisdom/truth and friendship has meant much to me for a long, pip time. I cherish the friendship and the words and poems we've shared. My path would not have been the same without you seeing my worth. Thank you and Happy New year. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Well said...James |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Enjoyed ARCTIC WIND |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
You touch on the pain I find of this medium and of a place like this: "the loss of never having met you all" But then you touch on so much pain . . . Write on, Sir, write on. To h*** with the critics! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
And Charly, I know that when ever you respond to another pip resident, they are filled with love, smiles, gratitude and wonder. You are a leader and we are faithful readers who learn much from you, as you open our minds. Sincerely, "late" |
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