~Communion of Poets

“I act as the tongue of you,
... tied in your mouth . . . . in mine it begins to be loosened.” 
― Walt Whitman

The spaces between us grow closer together

as your pen spills vital relevance unto the pages

wafting by in abundant grandeur

the scent is quite intoxicating

innate

lifeblood to fulfill our quill's revelry,

words that enchant and gratify to lift the spirits

hearts aglow or souls asunder

we split hairs and break bread

recompense to satisfy conscious

 yearnings

that which separates us makes us stronger

to share another moment in the life of

each and every poet who possesses the wherewithal 

to lay it on the line and communion with others

anointed in the realm of poetry we are connected

as ink scrawls across the pages into our hearts

bleeding emotions to join in our commandments of commonality

our swords pen the words that echo humanity

Author's Note

Reviews

[Angi]

I feel like I have just been knighted! The best thing about writing poetry is having someone get what I am saying and relate to it. There are so many people in my non internet life (almost all of them, in fact) who say the pretty things and pat me on the head when they read something I have written. It's in the eyes, though. When their eyes glaze over, I know they don't get it. I am so happy I have this place to share and whine and joke and cry and scream and remember in. So happy. Nicely done, Frieda. Angi~

[Frieda P]

Ha that pretty much makes you a Dame I think, but you were already in my eyes, and that's a good thing! Thanks Angi....

[Angi]

You are so welcome.

[Casey Haynes]

Would you disagree that this website does a similar thing? Almost all I've seen is people saying pretty things and patting each other on the back.

[Jack...]

Sir, can we keep this to one thread here. You don't need to slide up and down this comment board slicing and dicing as you go.

[Marie]

But isn't he right...?

[icelandicblue]

Perhaps we enjoy each other's poetry is that a bad thing? And really Marie, no it's not true- you say caustic things all the time but you also comment when you like something. And it seems our friend here only has negative things to say as he dances from poem to poem dropping little pithy bombs around the site. When I see a good critique from him based on details and expertise then perhaps his voice will have merit but for now he is just white noise looking to stir the pot and inflate his own ego. Let's have at it naysayer- show us what you've got to wipe those pretty words off our lips. Have a go I am not afraid of critique in fact I crave it. The question is are you the man for the job?

[Angi]

Casey, I just saw your comment on my review to Frieda. When I first joined Writer's cafe, I thought I was coming into a place that would provide me with hard critique. I soon found that the Cafe is more like a Poetic Facebook. People come here to share their work, meet people and hopefully make friends with like minded people. I tend to review what I like and I friend people I like to read. So, you may find a lot of pretty words because I genuinely like the piece. When I read and review a new poet, I always try to find something I like first. The topic, the form, flow, and fresh new ways to say something. I always let them know if I spot a mistake in punctuation or a mispelling, etc. I found out very early that some people are not here for hard critique. Some people get very upset by this. As you make friends here, you will start to learn who wants what in this wonderful place. I always try to keep an open mind when someone has some advice for me. I welcome constructive critisism on my work, always. If I am really in need of some real help or advice, I will ask for it in my authors notes. People will then feel more comfortable in stepping up and giving you what you want. If Poetic Facebook is not what you are looking for, you may want to rethink this place. Goodreads has a pretty good poetry group that has an offshoot group that will give you the hard critique you crave. If you want more info on that, send me a message. I hope this answers you question(s) up there. Angi~

[ANTO]

This is classic writing Frieda. I wasnt being pedantic but I googled the term for a collection of poets and found none. I would like to formally proclaim here on WC that a 'Communion of poets' is precisely the term that should be used officially. You are the spiritual tongue of a certain communion of poets IMHO.

[Eddie Phillips]

Frieda I have not been able to comment on poems for a while due to duty requirements. I was so caught up in this poem. I love to commune with fellow writers and I enjoy the different insights we all bring to the same subjects. Those who hate on other writers without constructive reason will not understand this poem. You speak to the heart of many writers with this piece.

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much Eddie, nice to see you again. Yes, you're right, I showed this to someone who's not into poetry and they looked at me as if I had two heads.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i love this piece...

let's all meet at the altar of communication, and share the feast of writing...share in the word.

[Frieda P]

Thanks, your words mean a lot jacob.

[KAOlmsted]

I'm not surprised in the slightest this won first place. Good on ya, Lady F...You honor us all xoxo

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much the kimmer xox

[KAOlmsted]

Always my pleasure...

[外人 (Gaiji..]

You're becoming one of my favourite poets. Amazing job as always !

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

This makes me proud for having been annointed with the gift of poetry. Very inspiring and enlightening piece. :)

[Deron Alexis]

Our writing like any art defines us distinguishes yet unites us here I deal everyday with people who think the art forms to be unnecessary but whether we create or enjoy art its part of individuality what would life be if we were carbon copies and thee was no way to express he raw emotion that humanizes us
well written poem Frieda it started ran on and didn't stop until the point was made nice style and form well done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Do not dear Lady bring the world of poetry into the world of false gods and religion . This is Frieda at her most eloquent!

[Casey Haynes]

I am glad that you enjoy the company of poets, but I wonder why the poem needs the high-flown language? Anyone feel free to debate with me on this one.

[Jack...]

It is her own style and her own "language". Each of us has our own way of expressing ideas and thoughts, which I am sure you do to. There are no rules in this game, no hall monitors checking bathroom passes. Just people/poets who enjoy sharing their feelings, moods and passion with others.

[Casey Haynes]

I'm not saying anything against whatever style she has, and I certainly don't want to stifle self-expression, but what does the poem get from the language? Because poetry is one of the subjective arts, I can see how you'd say there are no rules, but if you actually wish to improve your art, there are some basic guidelines you should learn.

[Jack...]

In free-verse, self expression is the only basic guidleine. In metered rhyming poetry, indeed, basic guidelines come into play. Senyru, Haiku, Tanka, yes, rules need to be followed. But in this form, regardless of word choice or "language", it is the feel, the touch and the emotions of the writer that are the only basic rules. Hey, we are all entitled to our own opinions on everything. And you are welcome to express yours. (you asked for the debate) There are some on here that if it doesn't rhyme, it is not poetry and that is okay for them. Frieda and a few others on here walk way outside of the lines. When I say this is her own "language" I mean that exactly. This is truly her style and she has created her own "language" to use to express herself. No one else on this site writes the way she does. What this poem gets from the "language" is, it is a Frieda. You, I believe, are new here, so let me say welcome. Many of us understand Frieda's language and appreciate it. I, for one, believe she is one of the best poets on this site. You do have to dig deep into her words to find her meaning, but it is there...I can assure you.

[Casey Haynes]

I don't mean just form vs. free verse when I say guidelines. In all of poetry and writing as a whole there are guidelines that will make the writing more effective (and affective). Don't use cliches is a big one, one which many people on here don't understand (I mean talking about the heart, soul, etc). This is a guideline because these phrases have been so broad and overused as to mean almost nothing. Another is brevity. Don't say in ten words what you can in two, a rule especially important in poetry. There are others common to whatever type of creative expression you choose.
It is not as though I don't understand the language or the poem. I don't think you need to dig very far into the poem to find the meaning, which is the issue. Behind the verbosity, it's a simple message with little substance beyond the whole, "look at us, there is such great joy form being a community of poets." You could read this poem a hundred times, and that's the message you'd get. Try the same thing with some of the Romantic poets (Shelley, Byron, Keats and on and on), and you'll still find new meaning; beautiful, subtle truths a dozen reads in.

[Jack...]

Then there is the problem, Shelley, Byron nor Keats frequent this site. A few on here I would guess have aspirations to be "poets" and perhaps earn a living from it. Most however use this as a release or for fun.

"Don't use cliches is a big one." Who's rule is this?

"Brevity." It is so much easier to say "You are beautiful" instead of, "Your rose petal features touch me of glorious sunsets upon a fragrant garden" 3 words vs. 13.

If these are your rules or basic guidelines then by all means, feel free to follow them. They may be very good rules and the more people you meet on this site and the more who follow you may learn from you how it is supposed to be done, by the rules. And that is a good thing I would think. I have learned much from being here and interacting with others, my way of viewing and writing changes constantly. Like you, I have had many pieces published, not self published, but submitted poetry, short stories, etc. accepted and published. I flunked English in high school and learned by the seat of my pants. (I wasn't big on rules) I will pop over and read some of your stuff soon and perhaps I can learn a thing or two from you.

[Casey Haynes]

On brevity: but it is so much more difficult to turn your rose petals comment into a few words but doing so and still conveying the same message is what I mean, and if you can twist those few words to express something else at once, all the more impressive.
Saying "you are beautiful" is an example of the cliched writing I was talking about. That rule is not just something I've made up. You can google "cliche" and the first thing that comes up talks about a lack of original thought, so it would seem to me that you'd want to avoid cliches like the plague, right?
As far as them being just my personal writing code or something, no. These are commonly held features of good writing or I wouldn't have said them at all. I do believe certain things about poetry that are more specific, but again, I realize people have differing opinions. If there was a stone tablet somewhere with the commandments for writing, those would be on there, not arbitrarily, but because they are effective, regardless of style or preference. There's nothing wrong with being an inexperienced writer, but I like to think that people want to get better at the things that they do, even if it's for fun.

[Jack...]

I'm sure most do, I know I do. I love to learn. But my friend, when you place on your profile the statement you did and then to come in and trample on people's work, it doesn't set so well. A lot here are flying on emotions and many of them painful emotions. Like I said, you are entitled to your opinion and if you want to point out things that you disagree with, that is fine, but gently is a nice way to meet people.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes I agree Jack. Casey you can write and you are obviously a better technical writer than some of us but does that make you any better than us? stop being so pretentious and keep writing!

[Casey Haynes]

I don't think a single review I've posted has been unnecessarily harsh. Perhaps in contrast to all the exchanged cooings between people, you might read that. I think it is silly to react to legitimate concerns the way many people on here have. You should show your poems to your mother, not post them to a public forum, if you can't handle criticism. It would be different if I said something like, "you're garbage, quit writing," but I'm not that much of a b*****d.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No not much!

[Jack...]

Casey, you asked for the debate, not me. I just granted your request. You haven't read any of my poetry and that is ok. I know I'm just a hack, but I also don't take too much offense to criticism. Like I said, all are entitled to their opinion.


"exchanged cooings " My goal here is not to teach because God knows I don't know crap, but I do like to encourage people and if I am accused of "cooing' then I say "guilty as charged."

[Casey Haynes]

There's nothing wrong with an individual providing encouragement. It's good to keep people writing. A different perspective from time to time keeps things fresh though, right? I'll promise to be less acid to people's base if folks can take hearing that maybe something can be improved.

Truth be told, I beat myself up constantly about my writing, and I'm way harsher to myself than I have been to anyone here. I'm not even that bad. The thing is, with me pushing myself so much to improve, I saw this website as a place that stagnates because there's very little constructive criticism. I understand this place means more to you folks, that it's a community. That's fine. It means something else to me.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

OK well we can accept that. I have been honest with my reviews but not often scathing.

[Jack...]

There are quite a few people on here who offer constructive criticism and it is not a problem. The problem is, you are new and the first 4 or 5 (or maybe more) you decided to read, you found something wrong with each of them. When you do that to people the first thing they are going to do is hit up your profile to see who you are or who the new Know-it-all) is and there they find your statement, which basically says...I'm here to find something wrong with the way you write.

I personally offer a lot of constructive criticism, I just don't do it in public. If I read something that has spelling errors, a rough flow or doesn't make sense the way it is written I will always review it based on the poet trying and doing their best and then I will send them a personal message and tell them of the problems I see...in a nice way and I always end it with, "I hope this helps".

[Casey Haynes]

When poetry is a hobby, there are few poems that don't have something (or many things) wrong with them. I'm the same way. Those poems I have up are old, and I've already noticed at least a half dozen things that could be improved. I'm not saying there aren't good, worthwhile reviews, but I haven't seen many.

[Jack...]

Just keep looking, you'll see them. Myself I usually review based on how the poem and its theme make me feel inside, not based on if it is written correctly or follows the rules.

[Casey Haynes]

Good. Keep on keeping on.

[icelandicblue]

Then give your constructive critique and get on with it. It's like you hold a magic bag of wisdom but you only talk about it and won't show it to anybody so really who is to know what magic you hold and what is just a grand illusion?

[icelandicblue]

What would you suggest in its stead rather than the rules you have stated. Rules are easy to spout showing us what you deem to be an improved piece is a much better measure of your worth as a critic.

[Casey Haynes]

It's not my business to entirely rewrite someone else's poem, and if I were to change it to more to my liking, it would be a completely different poem. If you would like to see an example of a more in-depth review I've given, refer to joiedevivre's "Crosses on My Palms."

[icelandicblue]

I did see Crosses on My Palms and I agree that you should not "have" to rewrite someone's poem but when you say things like lose the last three stanzas and give no clarification until later your initial advice is actually disrespectful. How you handled it after the poet asked for clarification was more constructive and more respectful. Telling people adverbs are not your friend or making glib little comments about how everyone just writes pretty little words only diminishes your impact on your critique. You must at least give a solid reason or example and lose the hubris you seem to wield like a weapon. You want to read better poetry then you must be more than a mosquito buzzing in our ears.

[Casey Haynes]

If I wanted to read better poetry I'd go read a published collection.

[Jack...]

There are plenty you can chose from I am sure.

[icelandicblue]

Then please by all means go...

[Baby Ricochet]

A community of poets is a beautiful thing.