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Why are the view counts so low on this site? - Connie Pachecho's Blog

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Why are the view counts so low on this site?

Blog Posted:4/18/2017 6:43:00 PM

Why are the view counts so low on this site?

This is a straight forwarded and a fair question.

It's discouraging to see such low view counts comapred to other sites.

i.e posting a poem and seeing 20-25 views for the day .... wee.

I've been on web MD, poker, yahoo, newspaper, football sites and receive

1000-4000 views in a few days. Here it's dead. Can it be any worst?

Did I tell you I receive 200 likes a number of times, and here nothing.

What's missing?

Me? Or the wrong fork in the road?

Why?

I've seen poets on other sites racking the views and foiollowers-

here it's comatose. Again why?

It's discouraging to see another poet on another site have 700 folowers,

write the most mundane poems, laughable at that, and see her have so

many views.

Let me explain. View counts is a motivator. It stimultates a poet

to write the his best. Here I write scratch off, 20 minute poems at most, because there is no

audience. Just being brutally honest.

Trust me it wears on a person to be writing to an audience of a handful?

Can this site bring more viewers aboard? What does it take?

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Bartholomew
Schmek

Date: 4/23/2017 6:59:00 PM

Frank Herrera: ".CONNIE MY FRIEND....SOME HERE FEEL LIKE YOUR SUPPORTERS THINK I SENT YOU THE COMMENT YOU SEEM OBSESSED BY...I WAS HERE FROM THIS SITE'S INCEPTION. WHEN WE TRULY LOVED ONE AND OTHER...WHEN SOMEONE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT ANOTHER HERE...THEY USED 'SOUPMAIL' A FEW HERE THINK IT WAS I...BECAUSE I USE CAPITAL LETTERS...AND I WROTE A SIMILAR BLOG...ABOUT THE 'BOORS' HERE....AND I STAND BY IT...I DELETED IT BECAUSE...ONCE I EXPRESS MYSELF...I QUICKLY REGRET BEING "SMALL"...LIKE MY DETRACTORS...AND I DELETE. IF YOU THINK SOME RESPECTED MEMBER HERE DISSED YOU...YOU SHOULD SETTLE IT BETWEEN YOU WITH "SOUPMAIL"...INSTEAD OF INSTILLING GOSSIP MONGERING BY YOUR FRIENDS...GUESSING WHO THE AUTHOR WAS... AND SAYING UNSAVORY COMMENTS ABOUT HIM...WHICH COULD GET THEM KICKED OFF THE SITE ---------------------------------Frank, it's like you're manic-depressive - several times you've gone on absolutely unfounded screwball berzerk rants. Yes, you delete them later on, and then you disappear for a time, while you presumably get yourself under control. Connie doesn't need your wacky lunacy added into the mix. And how can you be like 65 years old and in your "mid-40s"? :DDDDDDDDDDDDD

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/25/2017 9:01:00 PM

There's a great deal of irony going on. Too much to fit into a reply box. Settle with soupmail... then threaten to kill someone on a public website, albeit sarcastically, yet still, ummm? Overdramatize much?

Bartholomew Schmek
Date: 4/25/2017 3:28:00 PM

Not "imitation." It was a direct quote from Frank, copying and pasting what he said. He's made another nutty blog post now - Blog Posted:4/25/2017 2:35:00 PM. Standard delusional Frank...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/23/2017 7:55:00 PM

Some of us have been here 10 years. I've only been here 6 years. We get to know manners of "speech" here. How we form our sentences. Favourite words. Punctuation. Our favourite sayings. Regardless of hostilities, we KNOW each other. Somebody was trying to imitate Frank. Frank, you don't feel that?!?

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/23/2017 7:52:00 PM

right DOWN to the word play

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/23/2017 7:51:00 PM

Well, if it isn't him, it's an even scarier thing. It's someone who knows him so well that they are emanating his style, right now to the word play (homophones are Franks favourite word play.) Soooo how freaky is this? Somebody is trying on personas and copying styles to cause even MORE conflict/drama? SICK!

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/23/2017 7:28:00 PM

I found Frank's tone conciliatory. He articulated his message well without any hostility towards anyone, where he just wanted to clear the air. I see that.

Annie
Lewis

Date: 4/23/2017 10:49:00 AM

Hello Connie, If that (BOORS) comment bothers you so much, why did you feel the need to display it ,again? Whoever wrote it obviously had a change of heart. Obviously you like to stir the pot, to get your flippant friends spieling again.

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/23/2017 7:39:00 PM

How do you clean the clothes if you don't expose the laundry? I sure wish I had the ability to lock the blog from further comments that way in the future, another respondent can't say connie's stirring the pot.

Annie Lewis
Date: 4/23/2017 4:34:00 PM

Soup mail

Connie
Pachecho

Date: 4/20/2017 6:56:00 PM

This is discouraging. Some highly respected member of soup is spewing about in her comment box today of how negative these blogs are. I get the innuendo, and look at all the recent blogs and conclude that the inference she's making is directed at me (?). Why? Is it wrong to raise your hand and ask a question? Seek answers? Learn? Self improve? The sole purpose of my blogs were to kick things around and set the motions for resolutions. Not to disparage or spew negativity. For the most part, I think the blog has been clean and the respondents civil. Has it been a bunch of seals having fun? Yes. There should be nothing wrong with that.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/25/2017 3:26:00 PM

And I see the irony continues... do as I say, not as I do... sheesh.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/23/2017 9:16:00 AM

I think we agree, Ruben, who wrote that message. Typical bullying style. The play on words. Talk about old and tired.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 5:49:00 PM

LOL!

Richard D Seal
Date: 4/21/2017 5:28:00 PM

Seals, seals where? honk honk lol

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:38:00 PM

PPS-- he has no standing on soup. He's left too many times to count. He knows how to get attention, too. He whines "time to go" then stays. Irony that he says you're seeking attention. He does it all the time!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:35:00 PM

PS- Don't let him chase you away. I didn't need to see the name. I recognize the style...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:33:00 PM

So, a question. You've left here? Did the horrible blogs cause you to go? They are saying the only reason people leave soup is due to we horrible people.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:31:00 PM

Yet, people can spill as much hate into a poem, post it-- usually the same person who worked to shut down the blog. So, the freedom of speech thing? It doesn't exist here. They prefer to hate, love to talk behind backs and don't even know what 'discussion' means anymore.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:27:00 PM

I'm sorry if you received backlash from any content on the blog, Connie. The fact is that whenever someone doesn't like a blog, they use the "people are leaving because of you" card. In the hopes of having the blog deleted by management.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:23:00 PM

I truly hoped a few would say: I'd just enjoy the visit to my poetry page. Ask about my grandkids. Ask about my trip. Ask about something in the poem. Instead? They WANT and EXPECT and DEMAND "Great!" "Fantastic" I gotta say...it said something very LOUDLY.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:21:00 PM

You indicate that you wish to be friends. But it's not enough. They demand that in order to like them, you must love their poetry. This is not healthy... and it may cause less interaction-- especially the POSITIVE kind.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/21/2017 2:20:00 PM

I, too, had hoped for resolution. What does it say when you acknowledge that you highly respect a person, admire their character and strength, but their poetry does not move you?

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/21/2017 1:12:00 PM

To you. I know you have equity in this site. If these blogs are catching fire, all civil, and view numbers increase isn't this a bonanza for the site? And even for PM's wanting to subscribe? Then why would you go out of your way to suppress me?

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/21/2017 12:50:00 PM

So who posted this? Note-I hope you are not the one from my past. The one that prompted me into deleting my accounts 3 times, and the last footle poem. Do you have something against me? Does making my life a misery your pleasure? It seems. I read this over and over-"Like in my poem I'm looking for attention." Huh? Right. If it makes you happy (now I know you are sick) I'll take a break. BLOG: Reply to your comment on blog Why are the view counts so low on this site? Commented on 4/20/2017 6:56:00 PM "WHY ARE ALL "BOORS"...HERE...WITH THEIR OLD,TIRED< HACKNEYED SPIEL...MOUTHING OFF>>>WANTING SO MUCH ATTENTION? YOU MUST HAVE AN ODOR...OR SUMPEM...THAT DRAWS THEM...?LIKE IT WAS MAYBE PLANNED...YOU THE BARTENDER...AND THEY COME TO YOU TO SHOW THEM...HOW TO GET ATTENTION...LIKE IN YOUR POEM?"

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/21/2017 12:16:00 PM

Connie, Ruben is right - don't be disheartened. I only have 5 months' PoetrySoup experience, but the logs have more good discussion right now than at any other time I've seen.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 4/19/2017 9:14:00 PM

Connie? Did you get the info? Some like more exposure for their poem. One poem of mine is embedded in Zoom (I chose not to grumble) I think it has like 3,000 hits or something. Now, some poems are searched for off site. Poems on love are big (for cards, weddings, etc) so I am guessing they get the most hits. I wrote a poem on Tim Horton... had no idea at the time it would reach so far. (Canadians are obsessed with the place which is a franchised coffee shop/national identity- nk) So sister sites=thousands of hits (potentially)

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/20/2017 12:52:00 PM

Tim Horton - heck of a hockey player, couldn't drive worth a crap. Yes, I know -an old and bad joke.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/20/2017 8:20:00 AM

Thanks, Connie :) I wrote that ages ago and I no longer would classify it as poetry, but I still like it as a "write" as it captures a part of Canadian culture. Yes, I write EVERYTHING-- including books for children (still waiting to hear back from the editor. Prepared for rejection.)

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/19/2017 10:43:00 PM

Thanks for the info, Cyndi. Just when I thought there may be a ray of sunshine I already have sister sites selected. Oh well. BTW I read your poem on Tim Horton. Nice. And I see you like writing anecdotes, short stories, too.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:22:00 PM

Yes. You have sister sites selected. I found one of your poems on Poetryzoom. I do suggest you look through those sister sites... I found one of your poems on the love sister site under "cherish" (category.) Sorry, I thought that may have helped.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 4/19/2017 8:07:00 PM

Dan, I just read the note that "not all poets here want to get published. I already know that and I'd say the majority of poets here are simply sharing what they've written and are not interested in criticism at all. But some of us are. And if I have a chip on my shoulder its because I'd go out of soup, find these wonderful poetry tips, come back and share them with anyone who was interested, in a blog that practically popped with excitement! (some may remember my puppy-like enthusiasm.) I only thought those who were interested would comment. WRONG. I got some very ugly comments. People were actually disrespecting nationally acclaimed poets-- saying they knew nothing and indicated that the poetry on Soup was better than world renown contemporary poets SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND IT! So, because they could not understand it, it was bad poetry. Not that they needed to learn more about poetry (see how the ego comes in?) but that the poetry is bad. It boggled my mind. So, I went on a quest...as I've already said here. And as I improve, more poems get published... but I still have so much to learn. Do others feel the way I do? YES. Some here do. And they visit my pub blogs, etc. When I had that workshop? There was a concentrated effort to sabotage it. They were actually trying to stop poets from learning how to revise. I get why some may prefer to leave their poetry as is...but to ACTUALLY stop ANOTHER poet from developing? Frankly its the rudest thing I've EVER seen on soup. So why would someone try to stop another poet's growth? Why would they want that... on a site that is focused on contests... competition... winners lists? What if the judges learned about trope and word pairings? What if new members improved on poetic skills? What would happen to the winner's lists? Any blogs about devices and poetics I write are not to show off or to force someone to change their style. it's to help and share what little I've picked up in three years... and I've been deeply touched by the genuine gratitude I've been given by those who GET ME. Who see my heart.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/20/2017 8:14:00 AM

We toboggan and have a toboggan. Our small town has signs up not to skidoo on the streets (I'll take a picture!)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:38:00 PM

Most of us wear toques. But the big coats? Yup. Boots. Road salt to stop cars from slipping. Ice fishing. Snogging to keep warm? Nose kisses. Cross country skiing. Ice hotels. Hot cocoa... cold can be good.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:24:00 PM

Trouble? You? Pointless to say behave. How about be prepared :) later gater.. this was like a chat room.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:07:00 PM

It was 20 today uhhhh 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:06:00 PM

ROFLMAO! You are perpetuating the myth of igloos and permafrost.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:56:00 PM

Keith, Captain... I just read your reply! You made me smile until my face hurt! Chip officially off shoulder. THANK YOU!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:34:00 PM

3-4? okay.. maybe some Ontario pride will kick in after all.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:29:00 PM

I had a hockey DAD. I got to go to the forum in the seventies. Sat on his lap. Good times!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:24:00 PM

:DDDD He... is ... a .... NASCAR FAN. Cars cars cars ... he spends hours looking at cars on the web. He walks, talks, breaths cars.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:18:00 PM

I'm a habs fan. Don't care ... (swat me)

Connie
Pachecho

Date: 4/19/2017 7:21:00 PM

I would ask Doug (or the readers) if he links his poetry with other sites, like Facebook, yahoo, newspaper etc. I read Doug's last poem, Big Dog, of how his beloved dog tries to shoehorn down into his basement and note the nearly 800 views in 3+ weeks, which is impressive. My question: where are his views coming from.

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/20/2017 12:57:00 PM

Dogs are a popular subject. Lots of people have dogs or other pets and can relate. Biggest single thing for views and comments is commenting on other people's poems. Many people - if you comment on their poem - will comment on yours. If they choose to 'follow' you, then your poems will appear on the "Poems of Poets I Follow" - the link on the left of the PS homepage.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:05:00 PM

LOOK: www.poemzoom.com/ See?

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:03:00 PM

Now... go to your profile... you can find the link on the member area on the left side of this page, towards the top, under the yellow star. Okay. At the bottom of the profile page, there is an area that says yes to sister sites or no. Check out the sister sites!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 9:00:00 PM

First, read the bottom of this.. it has the sister sites. Any poem that (for example) has a title with "Love" will get more hits. Look... www.poetrysoup.com/about_us.aspx

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:57:00 PM

There you are! I'll go find it! it's when you sign up as a member!!!!

Connie Pachecho
Date: 4/19/2017 8:55:00 PM

Sister sites??? For the readers and myself please show me/us in small steps-the how to, where to go, which buttons to press.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 8:23:00 PM

Connie? SISTER SITES! The ones with hundreds have usually said yes to sister sites!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 7:49:00 PM

Sister sites get readers from OFF THIS SITE. It's a search engine!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 7:48:00 PM

Connie did you sign up for sister sites? THIS IS IMPORTANT.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 4/19/2017 4:17:00 PM

Dan, the biggest obstacle I see on Soup is that in order to like a poet you must like her or his poetry. There are several people who may like me, but feel that my poetry is too ambiguous and esoteric for their tastes. In fact, they can't STAND my poetry. And I'm okay with that. I'd rather just hang out with them. The thing is, on this site, it's almost expected of a poet that they like everything. Feelings get hurt and people equate their verses with their like-ability. I can respect a poet but still not enjoy their poetry-- but NOT HERE. It's not about being better...its' about being different. And that should be allowed. There are hundreds of reasons people leave Soup. Some have left due to illness. Some had personal issues -- marriages that needed more attention. Some had surgery and needed time to heal. Some outgrew the site and were looking for something different. Some felt it was too constrictive and wanted the freedom to use whatever word they chose to convey their message. Some felt ignored, forgotten, taken for granted (Sorry, Lighthouse.)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 6:01:00 PM

Anger against injustice, brutality and fascism can give birth to some fresh, thoughtful and true poetry. K?

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:59:00 PM

So, I wasn't addressing true slam. I was addressing Soup slam.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:58:00 PM

Slam however about world issues, against government, against FGM, against child labour? Well, I wish to read more of that. Slam poverty. Slam police brutality. Slam oppression.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:45:00 PM

Slams are usually hurt feelings or envy in overdrive. I read about 20 poets here, only. I wish I could read more and not feel pressured to leave anything more than "How are you doing. What's new in your life?" And I'd be genuine with that. Really care how they are...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:43:00 PM

What I mean by "better poet" is not better than them. I only compare my poetry against my own poetry. This is where I was (ugh) this is where I am (mmm? needs work) this is where I'd like to be (Okay. It's only Mt. Everest. One more step...)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:40:00 PM

Yup. Still, I actually appreciate their unkindness and their "holiness than thou" because it made me determined to be a better poet and I STILL have so much to learn. Their egos made me lose mine. I accepted rejections, tried harder, and I learned to accept constructive criticism (which is a GIFT because somebody cared enough about my poetry to offer a suggestion!)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:30:00 PM

It doesn't make me better. It makes me able to stand up and say, "This is poetry. This is my poetry. Don't like it? Fine by me, but you may NO LONGER say it is NOT poetry. Cause it is... and an editor with ten years experience, 12 published poetry books and a national award said, 'it's great!'

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:27:00 PM

I literally home-schooled myself on poetry. Read six hours a day-- published works, articles by established poets, everything I could get my hands on about poetics. I went to town! Now, I'm pulling back a bit, learning about my own voice, my own preferences, some broken rules, balance...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:17:00 PM

One of my motivators for getting published was the "that isn't a poetry, its prose" crap that was slung at me FOR YEARS ON SOUP. I got so fed up that I proved them wrong by getting my poetry published in literary journals. So I thank them. Will kiss each one. You darling egomaniacs pushed me right towards publication.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:14:00 PM

Again, its poetry camps. I have a solution. But people would need to be mature enough to follow through. It would mean forgetting ego, trying something different.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:00:00 PM

I am curious. Dan, why do you feel that any comment Chris made was directed SPECIFICALLY to you?

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 4:35:00 PM

others may not like my poetry for the same reason. They like rhyme. They don't want figurative language etc etc. The problem would be solved if we'd just agree IT'S OKAY TO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER'S POETRY.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 4:32:00 PM

If we're being honest here. I like almost everybody on soup and wish well to one and all. I like the poets. But I know what I like to read. I enjoy reading free verse that employs strong, figurative language, no perfect rhyme, metaphoric imagery and precise line breaks.

Dan Kearley
Date: 4/19/2017 4:25:00 PM

Chris, I sent you a soup mail. Please read it! And no, I'm not angry or hurt about anything from 4 or 5 yrs ago? Its just me (and many others) on this site don't like the way you, and a few others, Blog Bash some people on this site! See You had to do it again! So all the world can see... Give it a rest! Next time soup mail me with your opinion, and I will reply promptly.

Connie
Pachecho

Date: 4/19/2017 12:50:00 PM

Thank you all for commenting. The answers, I see, are self explanatory. I get all that-content, impress, express, quality,sentiment, give more receive more, traffic limited. Still I wrote not for my benefit, but also for the new poets to this site that may be asking the same question. A lot of what has been discussed and what hits home with me is "what do you want to get from all this," which makes perfect sense. These messages, healing to me, are like antidotes in my confusion and I thank those again for responding.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 1:21:00 PM

:) Connie, everyone here was once a newcomer and some have come/gone/come/gone for years. You'll find the groove that works for you. I like your 'can-opener' approach to Soup. One thing I forgot to say: if one person connected with your work and commented? That one person is someone to appreciate and is not a 'nothing.' I know you didn't mean it that way, though!

James Marshall
Goff

Date: 4/19/2017 8:03:00 AM

Hi Connie...one aspect...as Deb mentioned...quality content...(hey, no darts! my work is mostly labelled adolescent poetry! cool!) but...love to discover gems washed up on our shores! yes...quite a bit similar to my treasure hunts on the shores of Lk Superior early-am following a Nor'Easter...shipwreck pcs...glass marbles (warn ship relics) things that twist your imagination...same here!

Anthony
Mark

Date: 4/19/2017 2:22:00 AM

Connie , change ya avatar , put some lippy on and smile for the camera, ...or look at this site as a place to drop stuff off that might be of interest, ... or even shock..but do not think that because you get no comments and only a few reads you aren't good....you are x

Frederic
Parker

Date: 4/18/2017 9:53:00 PM

Depends on your way of thinking,are you are looking to post poems interact with some poets or are you looking for applause..I've been on sites you have mentioned, heck at yahoo me and 12 other poets published an anthology book of poems that is still on amazon..so seems to me adulation is more important to you than writing poetry..just one more thing I've etched poems in the sand just to watch the tide come in and wash them away which is to let you know for me I really don't care if my poetry is read by thousands...one person is enough for me..life is way to short to be concerned about such a small thing if you are truly a poet, you write because you have to express, not impress

Frederic Parker
Date: 4/19/2017 2:45:00 PM

nice to see you are still around Cyndi, and yes everyone is close to water in Florida, take care dear poet

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 2:30:00 PM

Educating Rita. My life.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 2:27:00 PM

Frederic, I so envy you living close to water! We vacation for one week in a town on the shores of Lake Huron... it is my idea of Heaven (though I don't think I'd feel that way in February! Brrr) Have a great day- back to mom time! Cheers and nice to talk to you. :)

Lin Lane
Date: 4/19/2017 2:08:00 PM

No need to be sorry, Dan. I knew exactly what you meant and it holds true no matter where on the blog it was placed. ;-)

Dan Kearley
Date: 4/19/2017 2:03:00 PM

Sorry Lin, this was in reply to what Chris D. Aechtner, had written. It's stuff like that, that's scared many people away from this site I think?

Lin Lane
Date: 4/19/2017 1:46:00 PM

You can use "won't," "will not," or anything you choose, Dan. I won't nit pick at you and I commend you for writing what many others think but have not stood tall enough to express. No one's poetry should be bashed in public, and it's disrespectful of those who chide others to think they are superior. This is far from a perfect world and there are those here who are "full of themselves." It's evident in their comments, but it only serves to show them in the dimmest of light.

Dan Kearley
Date: 4/19/2017 1:30:00 PM

I haven't been here for quite some time, the day I come back this is what I find? "The holier than thou club" ripping apart peoples hopes and dreams with their super abundance of knowledge. It's comments such as this, that keep people away! When people start bashing your poetry, your misspellings, your comments. Why would anyone want to come here? Some of you are so full of yourselves, the rest of us just don't fit into your perfect little worlds. If you would take more time to respect other peoples poetry, word use, and lives. Rather than nit pick their poetry and comments apart, the world could be a better place! I'll be back to see what your super intelligence has to say. I'm sure it won't (will not) be anything good.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 1:26:00 PM

Still, I do see both points, Agnes. Writing is artistic expression. Poetry is a literary art. Art is usually shared, to communicate an idea or emotion. I do think some poetry should NOT be shared, is really about self-healing and self-nurturing. It's not the subject... but how it is handled. It is intentionally art? That is the key, I think, mho.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/19/2017 1:25:00 PM

What I choose to share on a public forum is not necessarily the same as what I write for myself at any given time. Some poems I kept to myself for many years before I was ready to share them. And some things I post are specifically written for the occasion, many contest entries for example, that I view like piano etudes: finger practice. Doing the contests gives me the incentive to play with forms and themes I would not otherwise explore. I am under no illusion that all my contest contributions are "good" poetry. But they still help me become better, and it's just more fun to do it this way than to work through workshop books on my own :)

Agnes Krampe
Date: 4/19/2017 1:17:00 PM

Seeker: poems may be "words on paper", but they have already touched the heart of their author. Sometimes, that is all a poem needs to do. At least some of the time, some of us, write for ourselves. Writing has helped me tremendously over some rough spots, and the intent was not to share these poems. They were for me. So, I think the rose does not need a human eye to see it. It is fine just by existing all on its own.

Lin Lane
Date: 4/19/2017 1:03:00 PM

I see even more clearly now why FJ called you what she did. I have bound journals of my writes and do read them over. You might want to read a few more from The Book to see if you can discern why two of your spiritual sisters find cause to question your comments. I will not call you out further for the rafter in your eye.

Lin Lane
Date: 4/19/2017 11:57:00 AM

I applaud your comments, Frederic. Not all poets write to garner accolades from others. If I'm content with what I've written, it really doesn't matter what others think. I also agree with your thinking that sentiment is what matters most.

Frederic Parker
Date: 4/19/2017 11:28:00 AM

seeker poems may be words on paper to you, to the poet they are more whether anyone reads them or a thousand read them, it is the sentiment of the poem that is of concern to the poet, those that have a soul of a poet know that, your argument is from the point of view of a reader..if no one sees the sun rise does it stay dark?

Frederic Parker
Date: 4/19/2017 9:43:00 AM

Keith it helps to live close to a beach..Seeker a rose doesn't care if its seen or smelled, it's still a rose, whether real or imagined in the mind of a poet..one of my favorite quotes is "you don't know what you don't know"

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:05:00 PM

@Tom.. I do get that poetry is wonderful when it means something to the reader. But I think of Emily Dickinson who kept all that beauty to herself... the act of releasing her thoughts and observations onto a page was enough.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:02:00 PM

I've done sand-poe's, too, Frederic. It's oddly cleansing.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 4/18/2017 8:21:00 PM

Problem #1-- the teeny tiny reply squares under comments. BIG MISTAKE. The social aspect of soup was lost. People used to answer a comment by visiting the commenter's page, a favour returned, so to speak. And many received hundreds of reads. Now, poets talk to themselves in the reply square. That is primary cause. There are others... also, if you do want more hits on your poems, you can choose to hit the checkmark tab by "sister sites." (I've chosen not to be on sister sites... but to each their own.) Contest poems receive the most reads ... lol... because contestants are curious of what their competition has done with the theme. I almost never post poems here anymore as I'm submitting my poetry to literary journals. My motivation has always been to create the best poem I can. I hope you don't go to the 'dark side' of Soup. So often good poets learn that the sexier the poem, the more reads and attention their poetry will receive. A few moans, oh baby-babies and suddenly the views sky-rocket. (like a peep show really.)

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/21/2017 12:08:00 PM

Cyndi, I think the rhythm and the pacing of a poem can make rhyme compelling, like a good song. That said, yes - it can also be hamfisted, obvious, awkward, etc.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 6:13:00 PM

Rhyme was used as a device to memorize poetry. This is why children's picture books use rhyme. It helps them to read if there are a pattern of repeating sounds. (as a mom, I've read hundreds of rhyming story books to my daughter.)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 6:10:00 PM

I divorced perfect rhyme without so much as one regret. Though a bit of internal perfect rhyme does suddenly appear... and if I like it, I leave it in. If too much I weed it out.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 6:08:00 PM

I use internal rhyme and off rhyme. The reason being is that perfect rhyme has been used to death. cure/sure, Tea/me, jade, made. it's boring. I can even guess most of the time what the last word will be. Then? Forced rhyme! I just don't like it. But I may very much like the poet who used rhyme.

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/19/2017 5:41:00 PM

Okay, ouch - Debbie: "Too many of the poets here are stuck in rhyme time" - to me this does seem quite harsh. Hey - if pressed I will take free verse above rhymed forms; but would you divorce rhyme from poetry?

Anthony Mark
Date: 4/19/2017 5:21:00 AM

Awww ya blog trolled me x

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 9:21:00 PM

Ian has learned that Soup is not always hospitable and wisely removes his poetry in case the powers that be decides to hold his art ransom. That and his a poetic purist. He truly must write... its about the process not the recognition...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 9:18:00 PM

Like I've always said, this site should have a simple way to announce that the poet 1) is happy with this poem as is 2) would like a few suggestions on how to improve this work 3) would like serious feedback and constructive criticism. The stupid forum is redundant.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 8:44:00 PM

When even a PROFESSIONAL poet like Debbie is not only ignored but attacked if she even suggests one line change, then why would she paint a new target on her head and take the abuse? (Numerous publications and a book of traditionally published poetry make her a non-amateur. Her advice is G*O*L*D)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 8:40:00 PM

Hmmm... that wasn't fair of me. Some poets here have many followers, write well, understand poetry and have many followers. Some receive thousands of views.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 8:33:00 PM

PS- when a poet gets published in a journal, except for the editor saying they'd like to publish your poem, the poet rarely hears from readers. (I've contacted a few established poets and they were so grateful... several have said it had been years since they received one comment.)

Debbie
Guzzi

Date: 4/18/2017 7:50:00 PM

As a poet who grew tremendously on this site, I agree with Ruben. There is little or no response on this site to what is seen as good poetry in 2017. Too many of the poets here are stuck in rhyme time, quatrains are about as far as they get in learning poetry. I'm here & I help when I can but the attitude here is not serious, too many are simply playing.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:24:00 PM

TOM! PERFECT!!! This is what I'd love to see on SOUP!!!! I totally respect that! And its up to the poet what they see as poetry. WHY IS THIS SO HARD? It's EASY! And yes, Charlotte's writing I get!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/19/2017 5:09:00 PM

I'd love it if we could just agree that we don't need to love each other's poetry and to acknowledge that no poem automatically should be enjoyed if posted on Soup. To each his own. I'm totally fine if someone wants to say on ANY of my poems, "This isn't my thing. I'd rather ask how your holidays were. How's the family?"

Doug Vinson
Date: 4/19/2017 2:54:00 PM

Brunettes, yes.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:50:00 PM

Anyways Chums, I'm toast. I was working on more chapter outlines today, and I gotta hit the ground running as soon as my girl's on the bus. I'm behind on my novel. The whole adsense is weird and not very friendly (it seems) to sites like this one.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:40:00 PM

"Pay attention to your ad clicks. If you average 2 clicks a month and you suddenly get 100 in a day, chances are that something is wrong. If you’ve p---- someone off and they decide to fight back by clicking all over the place, you can get banned even though you didn’t do anything."

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:38:00 PM

Yup! Read the link!!!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:34:00 PM

It said "over-clicking can get you banned from adsense."

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:28:00 PM

The wordads would have generated some big bucks -- they do use impressions. I'm glad to see they are off the blogs, though... annoying...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:23:00 PM

Holy crap! READ THIS! www.nutsandboltsmedia.com/how-does-adsense-work/

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:18:00 PM

Okay... I couldn't figure out what happened to the blog formatting (Hey, I've been away for quite a while.) No font colours, no easy sizing of font and ... it reminded me of my own website on Wordpress. (bet you guys already know all this) Wordads are only available for Wordpress?

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:15:00 PM

Reading about those word ads. Hmmm....

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 10:13:00 PM

Just checked. Ruben and Cyndi are BOTH right. Impressions and clicks. Just opening a page which uses adsense generates money. But a click on an ad generates MORE money.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 9:44:00 PM

Who the hell ever clicks on those things? Anyone? I can't fathom it!

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 9:32:00 PM

WHAT WHAT WHAT? You mean the ads don't pay to be on the site? (I thought it was like an ad in a newspaper!!!!!!!!) Seriously? A click is needed? That makes no sense...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 9:16:00 PM

And what I'm saying is Mr. Soup doesn't care about what the Killjoys think. The killjoys just happen to support the censorship that has made soup worth six figures. If the ads WANTED grit and artistic vision, then he'd have supported the "Freedom Fighters." It was about the dollar, is about the dollar and will always be about the dollar (its in the about Soup. Its a site that is for profit.)

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 4/18/2017 8:45:00 PM

Tom, reply above!

My Past Blog Posts


Super Bowl Sunday-2024 Date Posted: 2/11/2024 7:24:00 AM
Maui's Wild Fire Should Be A Lesson For All Date Posted: 8/13/2023 8:49:00 AM
To Memphis From Above Date Posted: 1/30/2023 7:03:00 AM
The War In Ukraine Date Posted: 7/26/2022 2:42:00 AM
Elvis Presley Once Had Wind In His Sails Date Posted: 7/5/2022 1:06:00 AM
Please Don't Drink And Drive Date Posted: 6/28/2022 1:34:00 PM
Memorial Day 2022-A tribute Date Posted: 5/30/2022 4:39:00 PM
Coronavirus Needs To Hit The Wall Date Posted: 1/10/2022 6:13:00 PM
Look Up To The Blue Skies Date Posted: 7/19/2021 7:13:00 AM
To Those That Take The High Road-Updated with noted Date Posted: 4/11/2021 8:11:00 PM
The Rearing Twenties Date Posted: 2/18/2021 7:06:00 AM
Dark Day in US History Date Posted: 1/6/2021 1:02:00 PM
Say Good Riddance To 2020 Date Posted: 12/28/2020 7:15:00 AM
Sally's Halloween Dance Date Posted: 10/31/2020 7:31:00 PM
A Blossom Fell From The Sky In The Form Of Louise Gluck Date Posted: 10/9/2020 8:10:00 AM
The Field Of Dreams Is Life Date Posted: 7/8/2020 2:17:00 PM
A Snake In The Grass Took George Floyd Date Posted: 6/2/2020 6:39:00 AM
Sally And Coronavirus Rules Date Posted: 4/13/2020 1:06:00 PM
Sally Yearns For Her Stimulus Check Date Posted: 4/12/2020 8:23:00 PM
Hopefully March's Tears Bring April Cheers Date Posted: 3/30/2020 8:55:00 PM
To Taking A Break Date Posted: 3/13/2020 10:00:00 AM
Congratulations To Women's Soccer Date Posted: 7/14/2019 11:43:00 PM
Beth Chapman Remembered Date Posted: 7/2/2019 5:38:00 AM
To PS Why Dull Your Shining Star Date Posted: 12/29/2017 9:51:00 PM
Give Your Contest Goose Eggs To Someone Else Date Posted: 12/1/2017 11:44:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
4/23/2024	I Found Youth Flying A Kite	Rhyme	5th grade,beauty,passion,
4/15/2024	A Time To Reflect	Free verse	memory,nostalgia,
3/23/2024	Dispatcher To All Bus Drivers How Do You Copy	Free verse	care,child,
2/13/2024	Three Bad Boys Get Their Lamb And Salvation	Couplet	devotion,faith,farm,youth
2/11/2024	I Can Move Mountains	Free verse	daughter,growing up,
2/10/2024	CP	Alliteration	journey,poetry,
2/10/2024	I'll Always Remember You From Ashore	Free verse	lost love,
2/9/2024	Sally's Valentine	Limerick	humorous,valentines day,
2/7/2024	President Clinton's Headache	Limerick	humor,political,
12/24/2023	Her Dream Was A Flame That Burned	Free verse	dream,
11/10/2023	November Humback Sightings In Hawaii	Ninette	nature,november,ocean,
10/31/2023	Sally's Halloween Dance	Limerick	halloween,word play,
7/10/2023	My Kitty's In the Fishbowl	Quatrain	cat,fish,nature,
5/28/2023	Memorial Day	Free verse	memorial day,
5/15/2023	Jack and Sue's Fling In Park	Limerick	baseball,humor,
5/1/2023	If I Were Your Love	Free verse	farewell,heartbroken,lost
4/7/2023	Prey	Haiku	nature,
3/29/2023	The Sister I Know Is Close	Rondeau Redouble	heartbreak,sister,
3/18/2023	Romeo Please Find Juliet-Virelai	Rhyme	hello,longing,love,
2/21/2023	Sally Needs a Little Windfall From Covid	Limerick	humorous,
2/20/2023	The Blossoms Cleared Out	Free verse	betrayal,life,
2/19/2023	Tongue Tide	Monoku	conflict,nature,ocean,
2/15/2023	Blank Slate	Rhyme	family,home,nature,
2/14/2023	The Moon Asked the Sea For a Dance	Monoku	beauty,sea,
2/13/2023	Eulogy	Rhyme	eulogy,farewell,father,
2/6/2023	Dog	Rhyme	appreciation,devotion,dog
1/30/2023	Dear Heart	Rhyme	dark,feelings,life,sad,
1/30/2023	Butterfly	Free verse	beauty,birth,nature,
1/27/2023	We Look Up At the Family of Tracery Architecture	Rhyme	beauty,blessing,gothic,
1/26/2023	Elon and Chanel	Haiku	introspection,
1/25/2023	The Lovely Women From France	Limerick	cute,humor,
1/25/2023	Child, Child, Holy Child Yes I'M Still Here	Rhyme	forgiveness,god,light,
1/25/2023	My Dream Date Over a Moonflower	Free verse	appreciation,beauty,desir
1/23/2023	Goodbye Smirking Little White Ball	Other	anger,golf,goodbye,
1/23/2023	How Do You Feel	Free verse	anger,betrayal,dark,sad,
1/23/2023	The Frog and the Fiddler	Rhyme	analogy,divorce,lost love
1/18/2023	Dear I Left Flowers	Rhyme	how i feel,lost love,
1/16/2023	Connie's the Women Without a Ticket	Free verse	lost love,
1/16/2023	I Cherish Shakespeare's Tree	Nonet	appreciation,poets,
1/16/2023	A Winter's Retreat	Acrostic	beauty,mountains,snow,
1/16/2023	Jack and Jill Slalom	Rhyme	heartbroken,snow,winter,
1/8/2023	Shakespeare Came Back and Rose	Free verse	beauty,rose,tribute,
1/5/2023	Tatters	Nonet	humor,
1/2/2023	The Cardinal Rose To the Occasion	Free verse	beauty,inspirational love
12/31/2022	Two Drinks Turn To Gloom	Verse	abuse,death,drink,
12/31/2022	I Would Love To Revisit Norway	Rhyme	adventure,beauty,travel,
12/30/2022	Playing To a Packed House Tops My List	Monoku	giving,happiness,song,
12/29/2022	A Tribute To L Milton Hankins	Nonet	memorial,
12/28/2022	Snow	Haiku	beauty,dance,snow,
12/27/2022	I Hope For Sweets This Valentine's Day	Free verse	crush,lost love,valentine
12/27/2022	Life Is a Zoo	Rhyme	children,growing up,life,
12/19/2022	Santa Had a Change of Aloha	Limerick	christmas,humor,
12/13/2022	Baby Steps	Verse	baby,beautiful,happy,
12/10/2022	A December Memento	Quintain (English)	december,football,memory,
12/9/2022	Joyous To the World	Acrostic	blessing,christmas,meanin
12/9/2022	Joy To the World	Acrostic	celebration,christmas,
12/9/2022	She Rather Be Lost At Sea	Verse	lost,ocean,poetry,
12/8/2022	Biden's Book Has Roses and Shame	Nonet	conflict,father son,
12/7/2022	Skaters Say Hello To Winter	Haiku	nature,snow,winter,
11/29/2022	I Wish My New Year's Resolution Has Legs	Rhyme	longing,new year,
11/28/2022	Sally's Holiday Greetings	Limerick	christmas,giving,holiday,
11/26/2022	Grandpa Gave Me a Gift On Christmas Eve	Rhyme	christmas,grandfather,mem
11/22/2022	Tom and Sis Rock It-Nursery Rhyme	Limerick	brother,fun,humor,sister,
11/16/2022	Don'T Quit Your Daydream	Free verse	dream,poetry,
11/14/2022	Scrooge's Wife Gifted Her Tree	Limerick	christmas,funny,
11/8/2022	I'Ve Lost a Lot of Pie With Biden	Monorhyme	america,introspection,los
11/7/2022	A Rustic Leaf Fell To the Ground	Free verse	autumn,growing up,journey
11/6/2022	Seven Turtle Doves Nursery Rhyme	Rhyme	beauty,nature,tree,
11/5/2022	Sally Returned the Favor	Limerick	cute love,humorous,
10/27/2022	Tell It Like It Is	Rhyme	absence,analogy,angst,int
10/25/2022	And There She Was	Other	beach,beauty,sun,
10/25/2022	The Woman Weathered His Note-Nw	Free verse	child,lost love,
10/23/2022	I Walked Away From the Fast Bucks	Free verse	dark,recovery from,
10/22/2022	Quintet a Pond of Time	Footle	introspection,life,
10/22/2022	Captivation Lost	Free verse	loneliness,lost love,
10/20/2022	Halloween Sunrise	Free verse	first love,halloween,
10/20/2022	Madagascar Where Did You Go	Free verse	change,introspection,
10/20/2022	Fall's March	Free verse	autumn,celebration,
10/15/2022	Dedicated To Those That Can Imagine	Free verse	courage,dedication,life,
10/13/2022	The Most Unlikely Couple	Narrative	adventure,mystery,true lo
10/12/2022	Halloween Fear With a Twist	Rhyme	fantasy,fear,halloween,
10/10/2022	A Family of Ducks Prosper At the End	Free verse	beauty,nature,
10/8/2022	I Should Have Picked Berries In Las Vegas	Rhyme	loss,lost,
10/7/2022	The Poem I Never Wrote	Free verse	7th grade,loss,lost love,
10/6/2022	Trump Should Have Been Real	Senryu	history,political,
10/5/2022	The Young Teens Joyride Ended In Silence	Monoku	11th grade,car,grief,
10/4/2022	Women, Choose Your Man Wisely	Monorhyme	betrayal,heartbroken,lost
9/29/2022	Flock of Birds Paint the Sky Beautiful	Rhyme	beautiful,bird,nature,
9/28/2022	I'M At Your Side All the Way	Monoku	grief,loss,
9/27/2022	In My Dream I See My Bride-To-Be Handing Me Her Key	Nonet	dream,love,marriage,
9/26/2022	Dad Died During His Dream	Alliteration	anniversary,death,father,
9/26/2022	Merlin the Magic Cat	Rhyme	cat,magic,smart,
9/24/2022	We Say Goodbye To Connie	Rhyme	memorial,tribute,
9/23/2022	Repressed Desire	Free verse	feelings,lost love,
9/22/2022	His Dream Far Off	Ottava rima	death,dream,
9/21/2022	Are You Overboard, My Love	Quatrain	best friend,hurt,lost lov
9/20/2022	I Wandered Lonely As a Puppet Thru Reno	Rhyme	lonely,poverty,
9/19/2022	Autumn - Constanza	Rhyme	heartbreak,seasons,
8/17/2021	A Tribute To Carolyn	Free verse	tribute,
4/26/2018	A Look Back At Eighteen Months Here-The Show Is Over	Free verse	change,sad,mental health,

My Photos

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Fav Poems

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Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Marti Sutherland	Ecuador	Read
Trisha Sugarek	United States	Read
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Sonya Stewart	Jamaica	Read
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Anna Sabrina Tate	United Kingdom	Read
Fm Rt	Philippines	Read
Connie Pachecho	United States	Read
Rachael Sanga	Tanzania	Read
Heidi Sands	United States	Read
Cortney Bartholomew	United States	Read
Shari Thomas	United States	Read
Aqua Marine	South Africa	Read
Meg Cook	Australia	Read
Venetia Crasta	India	Read
Shabrina Fields	United States	Read
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Jan Hansen	Portugal	Read
Jane Shields	United Kingdom	Read
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