Stop Right There

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I too have read the "hints" of some of our poets leaning toward leaving Poetrysoup.  I would hope that all would stay (and many who have already left would return).  Poetrysoup will be a sadder place without them.

STOP RIGHT THERE!!!						
NOT SO FAST….							
Just where do you think you are going??!!
Do you think you can just walk away!!
You have work to do.
Tighten up that Sonnet
	Tidy up those rhymes
		Feel the drumbeat of that meter
				…the juxtaposed delight
					….of sitting back and knowing
						     …..you finally got it……WRITE.

WIPE THAT SMIRK OFF YOUR FACE!!!
You know you love it.
	The torture of the keyboard
		words tumbling from the pen
			the beginning
				  the middle
					 the all elusive end

DON’T GIVE ME THAT OLD SONG AND DANCE!!
Remember those first crumpled
				unfinished
					discarded
						recovered
							reworked
								polished
									failures

DON’T MAKE ME COME OVER THERE!!!
Have you forgotten that first poem??
	The one you read to your dog?
		in a whispered voice
			as his tail wagged
				and your voice
					brushed his coat
						        with poetry.

YOU ARE A POET!!
Your words,
	like butterfly wings,
			gently alter
				the currents
					of the universe.


John G. Lawless
©7/15/2017

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017



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Date: 7/17/2017 7:14:00 PM
Terrific write, John. Well deserved POTD.
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Date: 7/17/2017 11:10:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD, fun write!
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Date: 7/17/2017 10:39:00 AM
Excellent poetry, John:) congratulations on POTD:) thanks for the encouraging words:)
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Date: 7/17/2017 10:36:00 AM
Congratulations , John....I love the last 2 stanzas " Wonderful"
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Date: 7/17/2017 9:43:00 AM
Love it! Congratulations!
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Date: 7/17/2017 9:35:00 AM
Sir! Yes Sir! hehe I like this very much John. Congratulations on POTD recognition! - Dean
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Date: 7/17/2017 8:00:00 AM
WOw!! This is FANTABULOUS, John! Congrats on potd... hugs :)
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Date: 7/17/2017 7:43:00 AM
Oh John I love this! POTD congratulations and a fave :) xomo!
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Date: 7/17/2017 7:26:00 AM
Glad this won POTD, John:) Congratulations my friend.
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Date: 7/17/2017 6:45:00 AM
Excellent choice for POTD..
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Date: 7/17/2017 6:26:00 AM
Congrats on POTD John
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Date: 7/17/2017 5:40:00 AM
Congrats on POTD John.A really great poem, and I love the way you have laid it out....Maria
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Date: 7/17/2017 5:22:00 AM
- Congratulations on yours p.o.t.d., John - A wonderful poem - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 7/17/2017 5:20:00 AM
Great poem - congrats on POTD, John.
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Date: 7/17/2017 3:21:00 AM
I love all of the tornadoes, you conjured up a storm :) Grats on PotD
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Date: 7/15/2017 6:48:00 PM
John I am trying I am trying, but I just can't make your winner lists these days. hahaha!! What's a girl gotta do??
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Date: 7/15/2017 2:59:00 PM
Frustration can be overwhelming to some, others treat it like a badge of honor, we all have experienced it, some just need a hand of encouragement to deal with it...Good poem, hope those that need it, read it
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Date: 7/15/2017 11:31:00 AM
I was afraid you were going to say something about KP:) Love the motivational poem, John:) Sounds like you're trying to scare them into staying. lol
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Date: 7/15/2017 10:48:00 AM
Thank you for this great poem John . Very creatively written too :)
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Date: 7/15/2017 10:41:00 AM
Cool creative poem, John. Your message brought a smile to my face. To each his/her own. Their choice, their loss. These talented poetesses/poets inspire my muse greatly. Before coming to PSoup, I already knew I was a born poet. Meeting and reading other diverse talents has broadened and elevated my God-given poetic gifts. Loved this poem very much. Keep sounding the horn, my friend. Love and peace always.
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Date: 7/15/2017 10:06:00 AM
I'm back John, it is sad when poets leave, but it is normally due to child like behaviour or a lack of support. Together we are a community and we can make this place a great place. Nice poem also, great words of wisdom..
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Date: 7/15/2017 9:59:00 AM
Poetry Boot Camp...I like the butterfly ending...Nicely done John
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Date: 7/15/2017 9:25:00 AM
awesome. a fave.
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