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On Writing Cinder Girl

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This is a silent video of my poem that I discovered quite by accident on Youtube one day! I don't know Ella Shea, the girl who did this. She never asked my permission and she left out some of the poem's key lines and even changed more than a few of the phrases; NONETHELESS, I am still happy that she created this video because it's nice knowing it meant that much to her to take the time to put it together, and at least she showed my name at the front! It's more than what others have done online with this poem. I have found people plagiarizing it but I can't get them to remove it because they have it in a private blog or something. This poem was my first taste of fame on Poetrysoup and I will be ever grateful for that. The official copyright with the Libary of Congress was done back in 2006 when I published it inside a chapbook no longer in print: Dancing the Unicorn: Lyrical Blooms 2

Here is the link to the actual words: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/cinder_girl_203924

My best poem was written sometime before two-thousand-seven, but how, where, or why, I can’t exactly say! Probably it was based on a word challenge. Most of my poetry has been birthed from partaking in such activities. Was it winter or summer; spring or fall? Was it penned outside or on my bed? Those facts have escaped my head. Strangely, though it invokes strong feelings, this poem’s reality is not that of my own! Link to Cinder Girl: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/cinder_girl_203924 For Phillip Garcia's The Tale of Your Best Poetry Contest

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John Watt

Date: 5/1/2020 12:04:00 PM

I searched for Cinder Girl in the Soup search and found this pleasant surprise! I imagine Cinder Girl will always be linked with you in the minds of Soup poets; I hope you see that as a great honor, for it is a great poem. Nice to hear your musings about its genesis, though sad to hear of so much plagiarism. Is the poet honored or disgusted? Probably a measure of both. Our poems are like children set free in the world... will they bring honor to the family name or...? Love your double etheree! J

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/1/2020 1:25:00 PM

I was delighted to see a video made on it but not happy that she took out key lines that contributed to its meaning and flow. Ayyye!!!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/6/2017 7:38:00 AM

I'm glad I read this one, congrats!

Agnes Krampe

Date: 4/4/2017 9:21:00 PM

Lovely Etheree - and Cinder Girl is a wonderful poem. Not sure I had read it before, but I did now. Sorry about the plagiarism, that must be irritating.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 3/26/2017 9:46:00 AM

Just wanted to know how to attach a link to another poem or video?? It would be helpful if you could teach me, Andrea :)

Joanna Daniel

Date: 3/26/2017 9:45:00 AM

You've written this Etheree about your poem well, Andrea:) sorry to know that your best poem has been plagiarised:( many a time, it's sad that we really can't do much about our own writings being used by others :(

Duke Beaufort

Date: 3/22/2017 4:54:00 PM

As you say, at least the person cited you in the beginning. I think the world has always resorted to theft, but it's funny that you find your own work "borrowed." Even the Beach Boys stole work from Chuck Berry and were forced to a court settlement from what I understand. There's no money for us!!

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 3/22/2017 8:35:00 AM

The video has a nice polished look to it. The frustrations of having one's work stolen :( It's hard to know if I should congratulate on you having a piece that has been so widely enjoyed, or shake my fist at all the evil folk who have robbed you of your rights to such a wonderful piece? Hum.

Matthew Anish

Date: 3/21/2017 5:06:00 PM

Nice to know your poems are being read! Congratulations on the video of your poem! Peace & Love Matthew Anish

Alexis Y.

Date: 3/20/2017 9:58:00 PM

Hi Andrea, Cinder girl was indeed a masterpiece and it speaks for itself. Just like etheree and most of your other writes. Good luck in the contest:-) Alexis

John Michaels

Date: 3/20/2017 4:37:00 PM

A lovely example -a shame that someone (multiple someones) stole your hard work! At least you receive the recognition you so richly deserve over here!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 3/20/2017 6:33:00 AM

I kind of miss the full impact of having your entire poem, rhjbut she does include some lovely visuals with your words Andrea. Your Etheree highlights a situation that most everyone can relate to. I love that poem Cinder Girl and it is nice to have it celebrated. ; ) 7

Supraja Kannan

Date: 3/20/2017 1:17:00 AM

Wow...Your original poem is fantastic Andrea... Really your masterpiece... Sad to see that your original lines are altered...

Ilene Bauer

Date: 3/19/2017 8:30:00 PM

wow, i just read your original poem and watched the video - pretty nervy of someone to do that! you're much more gracious about it than i would have been had someone messed up my perfect rhythm. your "cinder girl" poem is a masterpiece, andrea, but i also enjoyed your poem explaining it...

James Horn

Date: 3/19/2017 8:28:00 PM

AD, What is this about a birther movement? Your poems came alive so that they could survive all of our weird experiences we are having now a days. jth

Joseph May

Date: 3/19/2017 5:24:00 PM

I would have loved to know the inspiration for this great write..But the poem speaks for itself..love, rising from the ashes like the phoenix, Best wishes

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/19/2017 7:53:00 PM

A part of me is in it, Joseph! Too bad I lost the memory of the day I wrote it.

Lynn Marie

Date: 3/19/2017 4:14:00 PM

'Cinder Girl' is magnificent so deserving of first place of the best all time poem.:-) this one is quite the tale...sad that someone changed your words...poems are a part of us...unique to each poet. It's great to read how a poem began... now having a life of its own :-) love the shape too. blessings, lynn

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/19/2017 4:27:00 PM

I only wish I had a better story for it and could remember what I was doing when I wrote it. I don't even know if I was at my house! Actually a little bit of me and my personal story is in that poem, Lynn but hardly compared to the words I wrote!

Tim Smith

Date: 3/19/2017 3:24:00 PM

Sometimes people get excited about something and want to share that passion with the world. She has also shared a poem by Langston Hughes and Solitude by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. So you are in mighty fine company.

Tim Smith
Date: 3/19/2017 4:13:00 PM

If you click on her name on Youtube it will take you to her home page. You can see all her videos there.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/19/2017 3:49:00 PM

wow, really? how did you know that? Have you seen other videos of hers? I will have to search when I have some time.

Jan Allison

Date: 3/19/2017 2:27:00 PM

I knew you would choose this poem Andrea it is one of the first poems of yours that I read on soup and it is an exceptional piece of work and its no wonder it is number one on the best all time poems at soup:-) good luck in the contest - how can i choose a best poem as they are all so poopy in comparison :-( hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/19/2017 2:45:00 PM

You are too modest, Jan. You have some SUPER ones (or should I say souper pooper. haha) Jan, I just figured out how to embed the video to this poem. You may have been the one to draw my attention to the video so maybe you already saw it. She really changed my poem a lot. Uggg. Why did she do that?The only part i hate is the ending where she shows a burning man.