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When Soup's Sandbox Becomes a Litter Box

I took umbrage over a comment in a current blog, in part stating that poetry, "... is a battlefield..." No. There should be no gauntlets thrown, no darts hurled, and no negative words hurled as if Poetry Soup is a battlefield. I was motivated to write...

Over and over again, blogs become a wallowing hole
where ugliness brews contempt and always takes a toll
on those who are trying to make a simple observation.
Someone takes offense and that provokes confrontation
by a tadpole who'll be a frog and not Prince Charming.
Ya know... the narcissistic type who think it's alarming
that they're ideas are not accepted by others on the site.
Then, it's "Katie, bar the door" and get ready for a fight!

Pollywogs keep swimming in rippling waters of the Soup,
where they take a dump, but don't think of it as 'Poop.'
Blogs are sandboxes where nasty words become litter.
Catty remarks are made by the arrogant and the bitter.
Not surprising, the same ones cut up with their mocking.
It's the same MO they use when they come a knocking...
knocking on new blog doors and causing a ruckus inside.
That's crossing a line that no one should ever take in stride.

Some abuse blogs, as if they're churches or synagogues.
If any part of Poetry Soup should go, it should be the Blogs.
Not as some redundantly claim, should be poetry contests...
Objected to by rallying sponsors and poets in fervid protests.
Blogs serve as playgrounds but break all schoolyard rules
when some can't stop themselves from acting like fools.
There's fighting and tugs of war... never for a good cause.
Gettin' tough over trivial stuff puts a pinch in their drawers.
For gosh sake, act like adults instead of flakes and nuts.
There's never and excuse for acting like a rattlepated putz.

Copyright © Lin Lane | Year Posted 2025

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Duke Beaufort Date: 8/12/2025 11:30:00 AM Lin, it's sure a crazy world with a lot of sickos. I think you're on to something. If you don't fit in to their view of the world, then they have to attack you. That is a sign of severe insecurity and mental "ego" deficiency. There's a lot of that going around these days! Smiles shall prevail!!! Take care and don't let those small minds gain any traction!! Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/12/2025 12:17:00 PM They're mosquitoes that buzz around in the soup, but I ignore them more often than not. Keepin' the roads slick. Thanks, Duke.

Terry Flood Date: 8/9/2025 2:56:00 PM Well, you certainly made your point there, Lin. A smart, well written reprimand if ever I saw one. Maybe I have some kind of gift, but I never seem to see any of these moronic goings on… I obviously need to get out more ;-) Terry Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/9/2025 3:07:00 PM You have many gifts, Terry, but it's not a gift that keeps you safe from bullies and trolls. Luckily, you just haven't threatened them by anything you've written, or they'd be on you like a hornet whose hive has been wiggled.

Tania Kitchin Date: 8/7/2025 4:58:00 PM Lin, so well penned and true. I am losing more interest in PS these days with all of the malarky and bullying and fake poets. Why can't people just be kind or move on? The blogs are now like a nasty stink bomb that has imploded all over the soup. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/7/2025 5:31:00 PM It's become a "What's in it for me" world, Tania. There's no respect for anyone and grudges that shouldn't have started in the first place have escalated by some who want war. It's a poetry site, and it shouldn't be a battleground. There are no prizes for the hardest punches or the biggest mouths, but fools rush in... you know how the song goes.

Connie Pachecho Date: 8/7/2025 2:39:00 PM Lin, the easy thing would be to look away, but by doing so, you allow the tyrants to misuse your/our playground here at soup. So I'm glad you spoke up. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/7/2025 3:56:00 PM I’ve looked away and spoken up but neither mattered. Ignoring the ignorant works best. Tyrants misuse themselves. Thanks for caring, Connie.

Jan Allison Date: 8/7/2025 2:08:00 PM Well said Lin. I've got to say some of the behaviour was appalling, it was like monkeys in a zoo. perhaps admin should give out Dale Carnegie's book 'How to make friends and influence people' with every membership. I think there should be some florid faces after yesterdays escapades - talk about name calling and then not having the balls to say oops I cocked up too when they wrote another poet's name incorrectly. So glad we have a block feature! hugs jan xx Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/7/2025 2:15:00 PM Yes, yes and yes, Jan. I’ll never post a blog again after the way Deb was treated disrespectfully after posting a blog about respect. No bullies/trolls allowed here.

Chris Green Date: 8/7/2025 1:53:00 PM In your first two lines, "Troll" would have rhymed as well. I can honestly say I don't miss this sort of activity at this site. It is a shame that people can't be civil to others, but that's just the way it is. I think you made your point nicely with this Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 8/7/2025 2:00:00 PM Hi Chris. I purposefully didn’t use the word,’troll’ because I’m usually harassed and accused of writing hate poetry. Not true and this is not about hate. I don’t hate anyone. This is about the ugliness that transpires in blogs that turns into a circus and is unnecessary. You are well aware and thanks for supporting my thoughts, Chris. ;-)