Sugar, Spice, Soul

SUGAR, SPICE, SOUL Oh, yes~ my friends, that is what poet friends are made of!! Givers, in the main, not takers. You can count on their constancy. They read you more than once a year. Not…run over your poem like a speed bump with no feelings!! They even soupmail you, to ask, “How’s it going, my friend?” And you really should do the same! If they really are your friends, they do not, like ghost-ships…disappear into the foggy night! Nor worse, have the rule… ” I only read, who reads me!” This really would limit my world! Just pretty words and form-acumen, nor cleverness, a poet,do not make. It takes a true, warm soul. Whether simple or complex the poem, it is still great artistry! It is sugar and spice for the soul! Find some soul poet friends, you can trust.Not rare, but you may find some out to harm you. They haven’t the courage to tell you what is wrong. So they sneak under other poet’s comments to insult you. It’s painful to find oneself being shredded. But for me, simply confusing. The ones with fangs work behind the scenes,actively, working to get you removed from the site. Yes, no kidding. So be forewarned! There are poets with backbone who do stop this infantile and malicious behavior. God bless them! Hugs to such genteel poets. I have poets alert me to any evil going on. Hugs to them all. Their numbers are few, but such poets with high integrity! Such chutzpah, they have and will back you to eternity. There are excellent poets on site with over fifty years experience writing poetry. Then those who just began. Like myself! Be patient with yourself. Learn the classical forms. It helps control your thoughts gets your message across clearly. I wish you all sincere, long friendships here and the joy of writing your best poetry. An acclaimed poet told me, “The number of poems you write is highly insignificant. The quality of the poem, is far more important.” I I do miss Connie Wong as many of you still do. She was the poet’s poet!! Unafraid to pen more than four words in a comment. Never a cookie cutter comment from her. One felt embraced by her. Remember that? No “drive-by” comments from that angel. Now in heaven. Wishing you all sugar, spice and soul! Not only in poetry, but in life! Panagiota Romios 10/7/2022