An answer to an answer. Comments/Critiques?

Hiram, that is the problem.. you see derision where there is none, if you'll recall in the message I sent I asked you to tell me if I was wrong, I said I had been interested for a long time to know why you are the way you are. That was an invitation to share your pain and thus ease the burden. I have never minimized the pain of others, if only you'd open up instead of closing off your Nature could be unbent. Slowly but surely.. I would not seek to stifle anyone's pain, only give them a safe place to release it a place without judgment or sympathy, just understanding. People cannot heal until they share.. I am far from in denial about my own past pain and abuse, my acceptance and healing of that is an ongoing process, as I learn I share with others what I have learned and thus everyone benefits from that healing. What I do in my regular life with all my friends and family is just that.. I am the one they all come to, because I don't minimize I empathize. What I always seek is understanding between people upon common ground that they share, I have been in that well of hurt myself, maybe not the same, but bad enough that the whole world was one sad song to me. I climbed out of that well of hurt to see things differently now, is it really derision to extend a hand to someone I think may still be in that place?

By the way I like this poem, it shows me how you feel about my message which is pretty much what I predicted you would.. If you'll remember I said that you'd probably view me with contempt, and that is fine. You don't have to like me, I still think you're an interesting person, and I look forward to reading your poetry and comments still.

The answer you gave in reply to my question merited much thought on my part, even though I did not choose it as best answer, or comment I thought about it a great deal. I've known the absolute bottom of that pit of alcoholism first hand and second hand, and third hand. Most of the abuse I suffered was at the hands of my alcoholic father so I could never, and would never downplay that utter trench of despair that drives one to that place. I am not here to deny abuse but to overcome it instead. Peace! and thank you for sharing this poem.

When you are reading poetry answers it is not always possible to pick a best answer as there are far too many which reach into my heart or soul or just make me laugh with optimism, there are times when Peter has written me the most beautiful response, that I give my best answer to someone who has made me roll on the floor so to say, or is trying hard. It is not always evident to the others why one persons answer is picked over the others, I have been over passed many times because of a game people play,

let me say now, I take the time to pick best answer and in doing so I would not appreciate being dogged about which one I chose. I just put a question to a vote because I was in no way shape or form of picking any answer, they all hit me where I needed to be hit. So, I see this as a bit of whining

you have problems I have problems, and they will not go away with negative energy , WE both need positive energy or we will be crushed in a depressive or depressed state of being. I look for that

and when I have enough to sustain me then I go do a bit of battle if I can to support my allies.

I know, I am crazy, daft and if you want the whole list just ask Neville he can tell you just what it is that is wrong with me.

But you ask BG and she will tell you every thing that is right...

so blow your nose

and get back to writing real poetry

you big stuffed bear.

I liked this HH. It is so honest and I recall Pollyanna very well. Hayley Mills played her. remember the film? How do I award BA's? Well some go for best critique, some go to the readers who support me, some go to new contacts. I try and spread them around, but acknowledge I don't always give BA to who others may have considered gave the BA. Guess I'm a bit like BG there. Sometimes it's really difficult to decide as well. Especially if one person is continually giving a tremendous amount of input to your question. I wouldn't want to deny anyone their negative experiences. I know of many afflicted by all types of abuse and I know the effect it can have on them for the rest of their lives. Some great art has come out of bad experiences.

I often give BA to a new face rather than the real best answer. I actually hate that part the most - having to choose, especially when I quite frequently have several I'd like to choose. You going through an especially low place right now, Darlin'? This is quite depressing, and I noticed this theme in another recent write. You, Mr. Philosopher, shuld kow that life is not fair, that the poor will be with us always, that society has its share of disease, morally, physically and politically. You have done much to help, and that should give you some satisfaction.

Hap, ol' fella, you and a couple others out here abouts seem to take this way too seriously. This is Yahoo, not some Creative Writing Retreat where you can expect everyone to even be ABLE to be on the same level. Most ever'body out here is out here as a distraction, so if, as Peter says, this doesn't fit your expectations, there are other venues for that kind of indulgence. And, fair or not, even those who "solicit" C/C don't really want it at the level you guys are prepared or interested to take it...many cannot even comprehend at that level, so it's inevitable they're going to feel insulted. But, golly, I'd sure think y'all were above that to where you wouldn't be insulted. When someone encounters another who is so understanding...at least of the other's shortcomings...one wouldn't expect to have to cater to that commentor's base sensitivities...if, in fact, that was even considered by many!

As for helpin' you out, as Kelly proffers, they may not even understand how poorly that's received either. I'm a wee bent m'self...a frontal-lobe trauma victim who went they way of drugs and alcoholic escape for many years, and incurred many dollars and hours of analysis and therapy, so this isn't ignorant commiseration. I hell-bent m'way through my first two wives, God love 'em both, and was well into my fifties before I finally understood why God never "blessed" me with children of my own. I've ruined enough in this life as it is without them too! But I wasn't ready to hear it...or bear my soul to the point needed to heal, for many years. Whatever anyone else's intentions, it WILL only happen in YOUR TIME...on YOUR terms...and meanwhile, we do what we can. Forgive us, if y'can for it not always bein' right, but it's honestly hard to be right with right folk!

This IS, however, that kinda playground, and I don't think it righteous to expect all the other children to play to your rules either!

Hiram, the ones who amaze me are the ones who specifically email me and ask me to answer their question. I have on occasion written responses that require scrolling through a page or two to read and are deeply informed and written in perfect English and have not only failed to receive best answer for doing the favor, but had offensive remarks added by other users and received TDs in the double digits for my trouble. I've written countless poems for 'contests' set by others and have never been chosen best answer though the poems are consistently the most polished. That, and the infatuated homosexual Scotsman who follows me everywhere, is why I limit my time here. It is no longer worth my efforts.

I have to agree.

I so want to gag when I read the rattling of empty cans

seemingly points driven submitting to "OMG you sure can,,,"Publish" and be a great poet"

Admittedly however I notice those here, (not any I know in a respectful sense)

who put up some tedious derision's in their defense

Almost as if "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog"

Who gives a smelly, excreted "Log"?

High 5's and a chuckle to intrusivosity

Standing behind the club In a red circle of chalk, she waits for four strong words. How blue she felt. Then answers rushed in. I'm not sure what it all means, but it must be good -so, vicarious congratulations.

HH, this is not a C/c. I just wanna say (i hope you dont mind) that I love and have been listening to Peggy Lee all afternoon, and right now as I type on my keyboard "is that all there is" again for the nth time. And the Temptations too. And now it's Black Coffee.

I can't imagine emailing and riding someone over their choice of B.A. on their poem. I've told my contacts to not bother giving me B.A. because I don't care about points, percentages, whatever. I'm not qualified to critique but I do enjoy the poems and like to at least let the writer know I did.

One big reason I don't like to post is that I don't like to choose B.A. My choice for B.A. depends on several factors, mostly unknown to the other posters. I appreciate very much every single comment left on one of my posts.

Like many here, I had a horrendous childhood. Doesn't give me an excuse to act out, IMHO. If one deliberately pounds one's thumb with a hammer, doesn't make much sense to then complain about a throbbing thumb.

As for the poem itself...not bad.

LMAO at Matty.