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Why are we here?

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I find creating poetry fun. However, there's great joy interacting with poets here. This takes a significant amount of energy, and we need to have a balance in our lives (except for those of us who are career poets). I need some diversions. An admission...I view poetry in the context of putting together words as if solving a puzzle at times. Restrictive formats tend to reinforce this feeling. I admire many of you who are much less constricted and am blown away by the array of talent here. Just thinking about all of you makes me smile!

While here I can write undeterred This work will at times seem absurd When this kills my high It's just time to try Finding joy solving a crossword

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John Read

Date: 3/25/2025 12:41:00 PM

Hi Duke, I do enjoy a crossword just as long has there not to difficult lol.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/25/2025 2:45:00 PM

Thanks John, I'm with you. I just to a break and tried NYT Tuesday....I was fortunate I didn't have to look up anything. That will likely not be the case for the rest of the week. Smiles!!

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 3/18/2025 12:20:00 AM

Hi Duke, I love writing and reading poerty but sometimes we need to involve our brain in other pass times. Scrabble and Backgammon both my husband and I are hooked on. Backgammon we play a couple of games every day and scrabble definitely once a week. As for the game 30 seconds which I love, we play that with friends when we get together. We all need a diversion from time to time, so games appeal to us. Hope you are well dear friend. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Sotto Poet

Date: 3/14/2025 7:12:00 PM

Fantastic limerick poem explores the joy and challenges of poetry, balancing personal expression and diversions. It views the creative process as a puzzle and recognizes the energy needed to engage with poetry and other poets. Writing, interacting with other poets, and the emotional highs and lows of creativity are also covered. It also stresses the need to enjoy other pursuits like crosswords to preserve balance. Informal, conversational language makes it approachable. Words like "fun," "joy," "absurd," and "smiling" are cheerful. As "solving a riddle" implies complexity in the creative process, "restrictive forms" implies structure vs creativity.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/15/2025 5:51:00 PM

SP, my philosophy of life is that we should enjoy what we do as much as possible. It's a pleasure reading your comment and I see from what you say that you get it. You also spread joy with your work and your comments and that really makes me smile!!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/14/2025 3:36:00 PM

By the way, crossword puzzles are great for us as we age. I don't care for them because creating poems is my mind's way to exercise and returning comments takes so much time. My hobby is watching movies instead!

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/15/2025 5:50:00 PM

All good Andrea. They (poems and Words) likely stimulate us in a similar fashion. I was just watching a couple of Elia Kazan films on TCM. My favorites are Splendor in the Grass and East of Eden. Kazan focused on the emotional troubles and pressures of youth....which never go away. Smiles!!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/14/2025 3:33:00 PM

Ok. Now here is one I really like. And thanks for being such a thoughtful commenter.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/15/2025 5:48:00 PM

You're welcome of course. I do try to divert every now and then!! There's just too much noise right now to ignore. Smiles!!

Tom Woody

Date: 3/13/2025 12:34:00 PM

I do the same. Crosswords focus my mind on a singular task and it can be frustrating (I have to cheat a lot) but also satisfying. And I don't write prolifically like some do. When inspiration hits I'll do something. And you're right, tons of talent here. If everyone could just get along ...

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 5:06:00 PM

Thanks for this comment Tom. I find it hard not to try to finish the puzzle once started, but when I put it down and pick it up later, certain things fall into place. The online solution apps make it very easy to cheat! BTW, its perfectly OK to do so. I tend to cheat more as the puzzles increase in difficulty on Wed, Thurs, Fri.I t's also fun having a friend and co-solving over a phone conversation. That doesn't feel like cheating at all.

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 3/13/2025 7:21:00 AM

Hell Duke, What a delightful reflection on creativity and joy. I loved that you have captured the essence of writing freely and finding purpose in simple pleasures like crosswords when inspiration wanes. Beautifully relatable! It is funny I am doing math problems for joy. The reason that it is funny is because I hated math in school!! Spring Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 4:05:00 PM

Thanks Daniel, there are indeed many things that we can derive pleasure from. I imagine certain math problems are a lot of fun. Scientific American had a column of brain teasers by Martin Gardner when I was young and it was fun trying to solve those. There's a wiki entry on him. You really have an open mind and soul and your love of people and the earth bring a lot of good to this party! Glad you are here!!!

I Am Anaya

Date: 3/12/2025 5:35:00 PM

"This takes a significant amount of energy, we need to have a balance in our lives" Now that's the truth, comments can take more energy then the poems themselves! ha. I try and give something back, something to learn is always good, I shall express myself however I choose, with the chance of envy nearby with careless whispers, it's a way here. It was obvious before I joined. I read enough with fascination. It's still worth the love I feel, we don't have to be here. I'll never leave, diversions are high on the list for me too! It's a pleasure following you.

I Am Anaya
Date: 3/13/2025 4:42:00 PM

I'll try and shorten my comments (conversations) save energy! smiling

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 3:52:00 PM

Anaya, it's clear that you express yourself honestly and with passion. A wonderful combination. We do try to give something back to this community. It's something special for sure. Your series on banned books fits very well with the idea of freedom of expression--something that definitely appears threatened...and this is just the beginning. I look forward to many extended conversations (when time permits)!!! Smiles!

Jan Allison

Date: 3/12/2025 3:08:00 PM

thanks for the smiles Duke - and enjoy your crossword and I hope there are now cross words if you get stuck on a clue lol - you dont need a dictionary to work out my poetry style - it's often poop and lots of it lol:-) hugs Jan xx

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 3:32:00 PM

Jan, what you do here makes it a much sweeter place. Keep piling it on!!! Take care and smiles!!!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/12/2025 11:16:00 AM

- Crosswords are really brain teasers ... writing poems doesn't need a reference book for solving ... poems brings smiles instead of pondering ... thank you for this smile, Duke :) - hugs

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 3:28:00 PM

Thanks Anne-Lise. I do sometimes struggle with finding rhymes that work and developing lines with the desired number of iambs. You are operating on a higher level than I when it comes to images that have an attachment to nature and the universe in an artistic fashion. I truly admire what you do and it does give me a real high!! Smiles!!!

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 3/12/2025 8:53:00 AM

The smile is mutual! Enjoying your poetry too. xomo

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/13/2025 12:46:00 PM

Maureen, just glad we can enjoy every day. You have a great attitude and view of the world!

Lin Lane

Date: 3/12/2025 8:45:00 AM

Well then, I guess that means I can't hide a piece or two from your puzzle to put the last ones in? Duke, it's a joy to read your poetry. Absurd is fun. I often write absurdly outlandish lines and call them 'a poem.'

Lin Lane
Date: 3/12/2025 9:26:00 AM

Your reply was pretty extensive, Duke. lol Get back to your crossword puzzle.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 3/12/2025 8:56:00 AM

Lin, I would write an extensive reply to your enigmatic comment, but I just realized I haven't done Wednesday's NYT puzzle yet! I was just thinking about how revealing poetry is and what a surreal pleasure it is to be able to share it and see what others also say and think. This really gives us a lot to ponder such as the many pitfalls that lead us to unhappiness and the others that make us better. Spending time here with some of the amazing talented poets really does result in an internal smile.