My response to Libby. Comments/Critiques?

"I guess this proves that I am not a poet." Amen.

Even a painter has to clean out his brush occasionally. Now you can go back to painting.

if a spade were a spade

I would say

you have very little to offer anyone

your attitude stinks and seldom if ever

have I enjoyed your words

in form or function

the M.O. of an intellect is lost

on ill aimed barbs

and subturfuge, masking as critique

and I am not thin skinned, far from it

but your snide remarks are meaningless

" I don't like it" or "you suck"

has more value than the derisive comments you leave

and I recall the day, you pegged me as next in line

of your favorite, Sin, who you advanced to a forgery

as you professed I was other than I am

paranoia has a cure

reality

check into it

when you get out of it

one day

Peace, R

hp

or am I

Yep. There are subtle and probably important differences in exactly how I feel about this, but I accept the validity of your general argument.

The most important difference -- the one I can't just pass by as I do other points here -- is the word "worthless." I don't consider YAP or its similar Internet lairs anything like worthless. Lives DO get changed in these places. In large, permanent ways and in miniscule, ephemeral ones, and not always for the better, doubtless. But if it were a worthless game, I would be gone, not bothering to finish this sentence.

Hi HH - It's not a worthless game for me. I like my playground. It may not sparkle as much as it did when I first arrived, but I certainly have no intention of leaving. It has put me in touch with like minded souls who enjoy poetry (no one in my real world, shares this love). I believe my poetry has improved since I first started posting so I have learned while playing. I have some great contacts as well. Yes, there have been some unsettling moments, but I believe the characters you come across on yahoo are a cross-section of whom you'd meet in the real world. I just get on with it. You can't like everyone. Having said that I do my best to remain civil to all I meet.

Your poem reflected the dark side, it has also provided me with much enjoyment.

I have met amazing people not only in YAP, but YA in general, sure some turn their back on you but what can you do? This is the internet 1 out of god knows how many friggen million get hurt through it one way or another... What keeps me coming back? The people i trust and the people I've known for years.

Good grief and good riddance i get a thumbs down for speaking with my heart... wow what a lame sense of humor you people have.

I am sorry for your void. I too have been plagued by them for most of my life, though I've filled mine finally! Took a while; was well into my fifties before I outgrew either stupid or invulnerable, but I'm there, and I'll not have it undone...by anyone...so duck 'n weave as I need, and on wit' the doggone show! Cuz I also agree with OW on that...I'm here...cain't be completely worthless! ;-)

For me Y.A.P. has offered philosophies, and reprieves, from form and substance

of many realities.

It's also been a passionate exploration, and has allowed me some declarations,

even if denied, I will not hide.

If it all falls to a greater cause, I'll miss it, but will not give up expressing, even as it

may be regressing.

TY HH.

I all too well understand the way you use 'futility'

...but I'm feeling pretty darned chipper and hopeful today, so Ima go wit it.

This is a masterpiece, I must say. Great job w/o a doubt..

I love it's message and how true it is. Thanks for sharing it~

Also, I like Cassies' way of looking at it all~ she makes

great sense besides beautiful poetry~

If I don't feel like laughing .....I just say to people LOL ..your poem is good

funny I think thank you ;)