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Simply Too Good To Be You

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I guess we can struggle when we sit down to write But use your own words - to plagiarise isn’t right When I read a poem that’s simply too good to be true I then begin to question, was it even written by ‘you’ If I google a few lines will give me the answer You’re caught read handed – you are a chancer I just want to read poems that I’ve never read before If I find copied poems I won’t read ‘yours’ any more Why claim words from another writer, as it is a crime You’ll never find stolen words in any poem of mine 7th February 2015

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Constance La France

Date: 12/29/2019 2:12:00 PM

Jan, great poem, yes it is an awful thing to steal someone else's words (and shapes) and those who do it eventually get caught. Are you sure the poet of 2019 is the same one that inspired you to write this poem in 2015 ? Constance

Tania Kitchin

Date: 12/28/2019 12:15:00 PM

Wonderfully expressed Jan! Unfortunately they keep coming back! :(

Jan Allison
Date: 12/28/2019 12:32:00 PM

yeah amazing i wrote the poem all those years ago about the same person was back recently and doing the same thing - he's not a leopard but a cheetah:-( hugs Jan xx

Gwen Benita Mason Gibbs

Date: 2/19/2015 9:40:00 AM

I'm with you on that

Jan Allison
Date: 2/19/2015 9:44:00 AM

It's been so sad to see on the site Gwen:-( Hugs jan xx

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 2/13/2015 9:28:00 PM

I'm happy to see this climbing on the new best poems list :))

Jan Allison
Date: 2/14/2015 6:00:00 AM

I am proud to say I wrote every word myself Rhonda:-) Hugs Jan xx

Arlene Smith

Date: 2/12/2015 7:17:00 AM

You, said it sister!!.. Why would anyone do that?.. Sad.. Hugs, dear friend.. Arlene

Jan Allison
Date: 2/12/2015 3:58:00 PM

If I can't think of the words for a poem I simply wait until the muse returns - I could not take credit for something that belongs to another writer:-) Hugs jan xxx

Angie Thomas

Date: 2/12/2015 4:42:00 AM

Lol true,... Many people do that...but what's the point... All cheaters get chaught at some point right?? :)

Jan Allison
Date: 2/12/2015 3:57:00 PM

I hope so Angie - maybe they will learn a lesson now they know people are wise to their sad game:-( Hugs jan xxx

Kelly Deschler

Date: 2/10/2015 12:20:00 AM

I had this happen to me recently. I was contacted by a teacher who asked me to confirm that a poem was mine. Apparently, one of his students had claimed they had written it, but he had found out the truth... That is the risk we take by sharing our work publicly. I think you are an honest person, Jan and with your talent there is no need to use another's words. Very well said here :)

Jan Allison
Date: 2/10/2015 3:56:00 AM

Thanks Kelly - the only person we would be deceiving is our self and stealing the glory from the original writer simply to make you look clever - it is wrong and it is simply something i could never do. Love your new avatar you are so stunning my friend:-) hugs Jan xx

Iris E. S-Lewis

Date: 2/9/2015 6:34:00 PM

Jan, today I was twiddling with a poem I call, "Our Mind" I sat writing while responding to poet's comments about mine. One poet in her piece used the word "Labyrinth", and I politely asked her if she'd mind me using that word. I feel better letting that person know she helped me.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/9/2015 6:42:00 PM

That is great Iris - I love it when we get inspired by the works of another an acknowledge they helped - what I cannot accept is someone simply copying and pasting a poem from google and then claiming it as their own work - a vast difference:-( Hugs jan xx

Shane Cooper

Date: 2/8/2015 4:30:00 PM

Dear Jan I love the way you put your thoughts into poetry, I know this has been on your mind lately. Now it is there for all to share. I do admire the way you express these things. A good poem. love Shane xxx

Shane Cooper
Date: 2/8/2015 4:47:00 PM

I know you write from the heart ,it is what makes your poetry so beautiful. How are your dad & mum? love Shane xxx

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 4:38:00 PM

I write from the heart Shane - I saw another poet post on the same subject yesterday so I am not the only one to notice in fact quite a few have! Hugs jan xx

Jean Omalley Polatnick

Date: 2/8/2015 8:02:00 AM

Totally enjoyed your pen -- boggles my mind that time and energy would be wasted in such a manner! "To thine own self be true!" (Shakespeare) hehe

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 8:59:00 AM

Oh I love the fact you got a quote in from Shakespeare - I actually used those very lines in the image above my poem called 'Disillusioned' and the quote has Shakespeare's name under it phew! I also have a poem called 'It's not quite Shakespeare' lol. Hugs Jan xx

Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty

Date: 2/8/2015 8:02:00 AM

Oho Jan Googling a few lines...oho I'm caught (straight to your hand) red handed.Love.Rajat

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 8:53:00 AM

LOL Rajat - you will never catch me - I write from the heart and not copy from Google lol:-) Hugs Jan xx

Lei Strauss

Date: 2/8/2015 1:15:00 AM

WOW!!! I love how you said the very last line! ecstatic write Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 2:50:00 AM

Thanks Lei - if I can't think of something to write I simply walk away until inspiration hits:-) Loved your poem on this subject too - great minds think alike:-) Hugs jan xxx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 2/7/2015 11:23:00 PM

Well I am a re-incarnation, just in case that should ever happen, thats my defense!!!! :)

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 2:48:00 AM

You are awesome my dear friend - I suggest you go and have a nice 'bowel' of ice cream and chill eh lol:-) Hugs jan xxx

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 2/7/2015 10:55:00 PM

Yes...simply too good to be true! How in the heck can a person plagiarize Shelley and think nobody's going to notice? You are awesome, Jan, and this is awesome! Going to my fav's...hugs, Rhonda

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 2:47:00 AM

Thanks so much for your support Rhonda - crazy to think no one will notice:-( Hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/7/2015 9:04:00 PM

by the way, your title is priceless.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 2:37:00 AM

I do like a clever title - seems the people who teach English like you and Eileen appreciate it lol:-) Hugs jan x

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/7/2015 9:03:00 PM

It is not acceptable to do this. you have written about this in a very entertaining way. gotta fave it. It needs to be seen by everyone here. I have students try this with me all the time and all we have to do is type key phrases into google and it's so easy to find it out. I think people are not understanding that this is being done with classic poems. it's bad enough to copy a fellow poet at soup, but to blatantly steal from a famous poem and then enter it into contests and stuff. shame shame.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/8/2015 2:35:00 AM

Thanks for the lovely comment Andrea -it is such shame when people stoop so low - for what - poetry they didn't even write and then happily accept the praise - oh so sad:-( Hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian

Date: 2/7/2015 4:38:00 PM

My poems are my babies...that's kidnapping!!! Oh...that would have me fume! If I get the idea for a poem from a SONG...I make sure to even mention that...let alone steal the words! That's horrid. Good for you, Jan. Lovely poem. HUGS, baby girl!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 2/7/2015 4:50:00 PM

I know, Right? I'm like...."You are insulting my intelligence. I KNOW your level!" Oh well...good for you for speaking out. Yes...I tell my students, people will read or not read sometimes as early as a title!!! Yours caught me!

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 4:46:00 PM

I know of student's plagerising essays - the teacher's know their abilities and can spot a mile off when the work is 'simply too good to be YOU' sadly this can lead to disqualification in exams - I have seen this happen which is really sad but sets a stark warning to others.:-) Hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 4:43:00 PM

I do like a catchy title and I have to admit it myself - this one is perfect for the theme lol:-) hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 4:41:00 PM

Thanks for the lovely comment Eileen - I just hope in time the site will stamp this practice out - I am not the only one to notice it - I saw another poem today on the same subject. There is no need for it.. there are some wonderfully talented people on the site:-) Hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 2/7/2015 4:39:00 PM

BTW...WOW WOW WOW...Your Title alone is perfection! I'm going to use it when I teach my class about plagiarism. Thanks! I'll give you credit, baby!

Laura Leiser

Date: 2/7/2015 3:47:00 PM

I'm sorry this is happening. I have to admit I didn't even think about someone copying my poems, either. I'm a simple poet, too, so I guess no worries here!

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 3:51:00 PM

I have noticed for at least 6 months Laura - I now have no hesitation in letting TPS know - to see someone else getting lauded for something they haven't written makes me so so sad and also angry. Hugs jan xx

Sara Kendrick

Date: 2/7/2015 3:30:00 PM

Ahh!! But using a line from another well know writer to spring a thought or idea from into a work of your own but of course giving that person the credit for their work is sometimes the best poems around..Enjoyed reading your work..I think there is a contest...If so, reads like a winner to me..Way to go..Thanks for the visit to my page and soup mail.Sara

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 3:38:00 PM

Maybe the odd word or phrase copied Sara and then to give credit to the original author - that i can accept but when you see an entire poem plagerised and your name is written at the bottom claiming YOU wrote it that to me is oh so wrong:-) Hugs Jan xx

Paul Callus

Date: 2/7/2015 3:25:00 PM

I am with you on this write, Jan. I have had my poems plagiarized and it feels terrible...as if somebody entered your house and robbed you of personal things. I can even compare it to rape, in a way. I feel very strongly about it!! Vigilance is recommended. // hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 3:41:00 PM

I know you have had this happen Paul and I can only sympathise - to see someone else's name on a work you know has been written by another person is oh so wrong - I have noticed it on the site especially in the last 6 months - and I have no hesitation in letting TPS know in the hope it will stop:-) hugs Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 2/7/2015 2:14:00 PM

- Agree with Richard: "Now I am afraid to write a good poem" :)))) - I am not a perfect "poet" I think no one will "steal" my words :)))) - Well written, Jan! - I wish you a lovely weekend ! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 2:19:00 PM

YOU write divine poems Anne Lise:-) No one will steal mine either so I am safe too but when you see words pasted straight from google I find it very sad that someone would stoop so low just to post a poem. Hugs jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/7/2015 1:51:00 PM

how do you know said muse is a she??? Inquiring minds with to know!

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 2:05:00 PM

My muse is stroppy and moody - obviously it must suffer from PMT so 'she' is definitely female lol:-) hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/7/2015 1:49:00 PM

Now I am afraid to write a good poem *lol*. I'll just stick to the mediocre ones! I do wonder what the allure is to taking credit for someone elses work, even if they praise you, you know it's a lie.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 2:04:00 PM

It is sad Richard - we have both witnessed it first hand! Of course she says tongue in cheek - as soon as I see one of your 'wonderful writes' I always head to google :-) I have no worries about writing a 'good' poem Richard - mine have been refered to as 'simple' - who would bother to copy a 'simple write' - so i am safe from having them copied lol Hugs Jan xx

James Fraser

Date: 2/7/2015 1:10:00 PM

Good evening Jan. I have to admit, I haven't witnessed this here on the Soup, but I have on another Poetry Site. It does happen, kinda sad in a way that they can't use their imagination that others do. Enjoy your evening girl, hugs, James xx

James Fraser
Date: 2/7/2015 1:20:00 PM

I couldn't agree more. The only one I've seen to date was a posting about Michael Jackson. Having read the poets poems, there was no way said writer wrote about Michael. Like you, a short copy and paste of a few lines showed up said person. Smiles 4U XX always XX

Jan Allison
Date: 2/7/2015 1:15:00 PM

I have read another poem here today on the same subject James. I have witnessed it especially over the last 6 months James and sadly it is still continuing - even a poem of the day wasnt the work of the person who thankfully is now no longer posting here. If my muse fails me I simply take a break from writing until she returns but plagiarism is theft and theft is wrong:-( Hugs jan xx