Get Your Premium Membership

A sad day - Chris Green's Blog

About Chris Green
(Show Details...)
Bloggers Photo

A sad day

Blog Posted:2/4/2020 7:39:00 AM

It is a sad day here on PS as I see it. What used to be a community of poets who enjoyed writing, interacting and welcoming new members is not the same anymore. Those who felt like neighbors now feel like strangers. I have noticed it diminishing for some time now and it is very sad to me. Please don’t take this wrong, there are many people on here I consider friends and I enjoy each and every one of them.  But when a poet like John Hamilton posts a piece that basically says he is no longer going to write on the site and it receives only five comments…that is something that makes me sad. There was a time in the not too distant past when a long standing poet would do something like this and his or her page would be inundated with comments expressing that they will be missed or attempts made to  change his or her decision, but not anymore. Very few seem to care anymore. John has been on this site for years, he has held some fantastic contests not to mention posting beautiful material for all of us to read. He is always encouraging with his comments and I have never seen him be mean or condescending to anyone. To me, he is a genuinely nice person and a good friend. This is just my opinion and I mean no harm by it. It is just sad to me.  What has happened to this place? What once was a great site is no different than any of the other sites out there. And maybe it is the fault of the site, it is obvious they don’t promote interaction between poets, the two reply limit to comments makes that obvious. Who wants to have to leave a poem and come back in again to say “thank you” to those commenting on that poem. It is a hassle, I know. So what is the easy route…don’t say thank you anymore. I have written to them about it a few times and mentioned it in blog comments…it just remains the same. I still think Soup can be a wonderful site and I hope it gets there again.  John, I for one will miss you. 

 



Please Login to post a comment
Date: 2/17/2020 12:33:00 PM
Sad to hear when one just leaves our soup. Hoping he is just taking a break and will return. love phyl
Login to Reply
Date: 2/10/2020 8:29:00 PM
I will be taking a similar course - blessings all.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/9/2020 6:21:00 AM
I look in here for inspiration from time to time. I would miss it if the site died out.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/8/2020 4:12:00 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. I missed John's post as well. Much to my chagrin, it is impossible to see everything. If time is our scarcest limitation, apathy is definitely our enemy. This may sound strange but I am flabbergasted to find myself in the 'top community builders' meaning that others spend less time than me commenting~ it is very sad that members are not more generous with their comments in order to make this site more dynamic.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/6/2020 9:00:00 PM
... oh, I believe ...
Login to Reply
Date: 2/6/2020 1:02:00 PM
For~ Every~ Sad today~ There's tomorrow~ Opening its scales~ To weigh in the future~ And to find a balance beam~ In hopes, there's a softer landing~ Somehow our yesterdays were darn good~(I wish you the best, John)
Login to Reply
Date: 2/5/2020 5:53:00 PM
Thank you for posting this blog, Chris. We needed it. It's upsetting enough losing a long-time member of this site, it's even more so when that person happens to be good friend. I'm sorry, Chris:-( I don't know John Hamilton as well as you do, but I'm rather sad to see him leave as well. He's a very talented poet as well as a tough but fair contest sponsor. And I agree that he's genuinely a nice person! I really hope he sticks around, or returns again and again to sponsor his awesome contests!
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 4:50:00 PM
I'm sure many appreciate this blog Chris. If you are not going through the list when someone first posts a poem you may miss it and never know what happened. I for one would not have known had I not seen your blog. Hopefully he'll keep peeking back in like he says :) Thank you.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 2:25:00 PM
I did not post for a year. Sometimes we simply need to step back and recharge. I know my think tank had run dry. John has always been a dear friend and supporter of mine and an excellent poet. Perhaps he is like me and just needs to take a break. if he is a true poet (which he is) he will write again when he feels the inspiration. To a poet, public expression is a drug.
Login to Reply
Thomas Avatar
Fj Thomas
Date: 2/4/2020 4:48:00 PM
I did the same. Still relatively dry I'm afraid. Glad you are both here :)
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 2/4/2020 2:42:00 PM
I will soup mail him.
Green Avatar
Chris Green
Date: 2/4/2020 2:41:00 PM
I know you did Daniel and so did I. I left for almost a year and prior to taking my break I posted a piece letting people know I was leaving and the outpouring of love was amazing and it made me feel very good. John posted something as well indicating he would be taking a break and it was basically ignored. That is what this blog is about.
Date: 2/4/2020 12:29:00 PM
I did not know about this. It's sad when someone like John wants to leave. I have only been able lately to do comments on my cell phone with internet down, so I have missed a lot going on here, especially at the blogs. I sure hope John does not leave!
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 10:48:00 AM
John surely will be missed and i am hoping it's just a temporary break...he has always been a kind soul but i had noticed the pauses in his visits lately and didn't know what was going on.... so sad and i do hope he finds his way back soon! hugs
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 10:23:00 AM
John - if you leave I will probably follow .. you are my Brother and my best friend here since day one, and I really would not enjoy this site without your kind and calm energy and encouragement. You have asked me to stay many times when I was frustrated beyond expression, and I hope you reconsider. Soup Mail coming. - G (Thanks for letting me know, Chris)
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 10:20:00 AM
John will be missed. Just recently, I began reading and commenting on his words. He may have commented on my poetry, it's okay if he didn't. That doesn't bother me. Many wonderful blessings are sent his way. Thank you Chris for your friendship, for always be you. ~ Brandy
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 9:30:00 AM
i'm sorry to say but i think the site has become somewhat bland and vanilla, and a lot of that is due to the over policing of creative expression and the gagging of freedom of speech on here..there are a number of excellent writers who don't post here any more or who have left the site altogether - there's a reason for that..i for one miss the 'poetry pubs' cyndi used to host, they were really interesting and a great way of learning more about poetic techniques (and discovering new poets)..on the whole the site isn't as lively and interesting as it was when i first joined, and i too find myself visiting and posting less..
Login to Reply
Date: 2/4/2020 9:26:00 AM
Chris, this is sad news for sure. Poetry soup is not the same as when I joined back in 2008, many wonderful poets have left us either by choice or illness, or by death or the dreaded writers block or ? and yes, the commenting is less these days but if people are anything like me, life just gets in the way, I struggle to fit everything into a day with limited time available. I think everything has a time and sometimes it is 'time' to turn the page, not sure of John's reasons but if he is truly leaving he is a great loss to this site _Constance
Login to Reply
La France Avatar
Constance La France
Date: 2/4/2020 9:47:00 AM
Nina, me too !
Date: 2/4/2020 8:27:00 AM
The Soup still is a wonderful site and as a whole has been flexible responding to member's concerns. Perhaps they'll explain the "Two Reply" rule but, that being said, this is, like anything else in life a microcosm of society as a whole - a collection of expectations of their/our version of perfection, some more vocal than others. John's a great guy and should celebrate those that are closest to him (how many "Best" friends do we truly have) and, as we all should, celebrate the quality and not the quantity of it all. Emotions can get the best of us, I'll be the first to admit and to often with negative results - sorry for those, but John, party with the ones that "brung ya"-all is well!
Login to Reply
La France Avatar
Constance La France
Date: 2/4/2020 9:49:00 AM
Craig, PS does has it's flaws, who doesn't but I think it is still a great poetry site and I have tried many over the years and always come home to PS _Constance

My Past Blog Posts

 
A sad day
Date Posted: 2/4/2020 7:39:00 AM
Thank you everyone
Date Posted: 8/30/2017 3:56:00 PM
First Published Book
Date Posted: 5/19/2017 1:39:00 PM
Thank you for short story comments
Date Posted: 5/3/2017 4:49:00 PM
Thank you Poetrysoup for making me feel so popular
Date Posted: 4/21/2017 1:36:00 PM
Site freezing up
Date Posted: 4/13/2017 5:03:00 PM
Trolls on Soup
Date Posted: 3/7/2017 8:18:00 AM
New poets - No comments
Date Posted: 2/15/2017 9:21:00 AM
Speed limit change?
Date Posted: 1/27/2017 7:56:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
1/25/2024 The silent song of Chester Gray Rhymemystery,
12/29/2023 What can you say to a beautiful woman Rhymebeauty,love,
12/22/2023 Love was the sweater Rhymechristmas,holiday,
9/6/2023 Some Call It Beer But To Me It's Called Grog Rhymefun,
9/5/2023 Jimmy Buffet Was Right Rhymebeach,happiness,loss,
8/25/2023 Un-A-Peeling Rhymefruit,fun,
8/21/2023 Wildflower Rhymebeauty,flower,
8/17/2023 Softly She Weeps Rhymelove,
8/8/2023 A Beauty From Redding Rhymebeauty,
8/1/2023 Pondering Tulips Rhymebeauty,
7/20/2023 Her Eyes With Their Twinkle, Her Cheeks With Their Blush Rhymebeauty,love,
7/11/2023 Along Skips a Girl With the Sun In Her Smile - Story Poem Narrativesmile,spring,sun,
6/20/2023 Fifty-Two Dollars Rhymelove,money,
4/21/2023 Closing In, Up Against The, Tumbling Down, Just Another Brick In The, Oh Hell, You Figure It Out Rhymefun,
3/31/2023 Lost In the Madness Rhymedark,
3/10/2023 The Edge of Romance Rhymelove,nature,
3/3/2023 An Unfolded Whisper Rhymefun,garden,
2/24/2023 Size Doesn't Matter Rhymetogether,
2/24/2023 Chogadella Rhymefun,
2/23/2023 Composed By Our Love Rhymemusic,
9/16/2022 Still Free versemiss you,
3/18/2022 Oh Ukraine Rhymewar,
2/7/2022 I Should Have Bought Violets Limerickhumor,valentines day,
1/6/2022 Solitude Rhymefriendship,
12/23/2021 Finally, Christmas Is Here Lyricchristmas,
12/15/2021 Christmas Once More Rhymechristmas,
12/1/2021 Each Tiny Island Rhymewinter,
11/30/2021 Even If Its Wrong Rhymepoetry,
11/26/2021 While We Sing a Melody Rhymewinter,
11/23/2021 This Autumn Eve Rhymeautumn,night,
11/3/2021 Storm Clouds Rhymeencouraging,
10/19/2021 The Fortune Rhymefriendship,fun,
10/18/2021 The Gift of Song Rhymesong,
10/14/2021 Again In Our Dreams Rhymedream,loss,
10/13/2021 Buster's Ball Nursery Rhyme Rhymecat,dog,fun,
10/12/2021 Charming Patterns Free verselife,
10/12/2021 Close-Open Doors Rhymecheer up,
10/12/2021 Car Sick Nursery Rhyme Rhymefun,
10/8/2021 Relax Free versedream,
10/7/2021 Fighting the Tears Rhymesad,
10/7/2021 I Saw a Praying Mantis Rhymeprayer,
10/6/2021 I Caught a Falling Star Rhymestar,
10/6/2021 One Day On the Beach Rhymebeach,summer,sun,
10/5/2021 She's Gonna Blow Rhymefun,humor,
10/5/2021 One More For the Floor Free versepoetry,
10/1/2021 Upon the Ground Lyricautumn,
9/24/2021 One Little Boy and the Sunny Day Rhymerain,smile,sun,
9/17/2021 Among the Universe Rhymeuniverse,
9/9/2021 He Probably Will Rhymenonsense,
9/8/2021 Don'T Be a Jerk Rhymefun,
8/18/2021 Frogs, Frogs Rhymefun,
8/17/2021 The Buck Stops Here Rhymepolitical,
8/12/2021 Set Your Mind Free Rhymeencouraging,
8/9/2021 Carolyn Rhymegoodbye,
8/5/2021 Rainbows On Earth Rhymenature,
7/20/2021 New City Street Rhymefun,
6/21/2021 Wonderful Rhymeocean,
6/15/2021 Sometimes It's Hard Being a Poet Rhymepoetry,
6/4/2021 Hey June Lyricfun,parody,
5/11/2021 In the Land of Old Pajamas Rhymefun,
12/22/2020 Call On My Name Rhymelost,
12/22/2020 Threes Rhymeparody,
12/14/2020 Lifes Mysteries Acrosticlife,
12/11/2020 What Is It Rhymefun,
12/3/2020 The Edge Free versefeelings,
12/2/2020 Dreaming Big Rhymedream,
8/11/2020 Oh, Let His Light Come Forth - Hymn Rhymereligious,
7/10/2020 The Thorn Rhymedeath,garden,love,
6/9/2020 Summers Heat Sonnetsensual,summer,
6/5/2020 Being Kind Rhymenice,
3/20/2020 A Silent Wish Free verselove,star,,western,
3/19/2020 A Beautiful Morning Rhymegood morning,
3/3/2020 A Rattling Rhyme Rhymepoetry,
3/3/2020 Reading Her Thoughts Rhymegood morning,
2/28/2020 My Only Dream Rhymegood night,
2/27/2020 Carried Away Rhymegood night,
2/26/2020 Desperate Wishes Cast Free versegood night,
2/24/2020 Song of Love Rhymegood night,
2/21/2020 A Poem On My Heart Rhymegood night,
2/19/2020 Soundly Asleep Rhymegood night,
2/18/2020 Get Better Soon Rhymegood night,
2/14/2020 If I Gave You Rhymegood night,
2/14/2020 I See the Moon Rhymegood night,
2/14/2020 Little Candy Hearts Free versegood morning,valentines d
2/13/2020 I Count the Stars Rhymegood night,
2/13/2020 A Glow Within Rhymegood morning,
2/12/2020 Tonight I Sent a Poem Rhymegood night,
2/11/2020 Again, Just a Dream Rhymegood night,
2/10/2020 Your Beauty Free versegood night,
2/7/2020 Empty Free versegood night,
2/7/2020 Moments With the Moon Rhymegood morning,
2/5/2020 Drowning Free versegood night,sensual,
2/5/2020 She Tore It Up Rhymeheartbreak,love,political
2/5/2020 Forever Filled Rhymegood morning,
2/3/2020 To a Place Free versegood night,
2/3/2020 Blessed Rhymegood morning,
1/31/2020 If the Crescent Moon Rhymegood night,
1/31/2020 Still Standing Strong For Donald Trump Rhymepolitical,
1/31/2020 If I Look In My Heart Rhymegood morning,
1/30/2020 Sad Moon Rhymegood night,

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
Fleeting Dreams Free verseabsence,dream,fantasy,
When First Magnolia Blooms Free verseabsence,
If I Could Quatrainloneliness,
My Artisan Memory Rhymeart,beautiful,woman,
The Blue Collar Guy Free versefantasy,poverty,
Love Me In Black and White Lyriclove,music,race,romantic,
Goodnight Soupers - For Chris Green Lyricencouraging,friend,friend
Chasing After Thoughts Free versewind,
Prismatic Clouds Free versecry,lonely,rainbow,
Winded Breaths Free versewind,

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
Paloma P United States Flag United States Read
Charmaine Chircop Malta Flag Malta Read
Tim Smith United States Flag United States Read
Anne-Lise Andresen Norway Flag Norway Read
Skat A United States Flag United States Read
Lu Loo United States Flag United States Read
Joe Dimino United States Flag United States Read
White Wolf Australia Flag Australia Read
Lin Lane United States Flag United States Read
Sophie Duqueny United States Flag United States Read
John Hamilton Canada Flag Canada Read
Grant Norwood New Zealand Flag New Zealand Read
Heidi Sands United States Flag United States Read
Phil Capitano Canada Flag Canada Read
Joanna Daniel India Flag India Read
Kim Rodrigues United States Flag United States Read
Julie Bonenfant United States Flag United States Read
Christy Stover United States Flag United States Read
Inverse Storm United States Flag United States Read
Nayda Ivette Negron Flores Puerto Rico Flag Puerto Rico Read
Carole Duet United States Flag United States Read
Deborah Burch United States Flag United States Read
Akkina Downing Micronesia, Federated States Of Flag Micronesia, Federated States Of Read
Rhonda Johnson-Saunders United States Flag United States Read
Agnes Krampe United States Flag United States Read
Alexis Y. United States Flag United States Read
Darren White Netherlands Flag Netherlands Read
Sunlite Wanter United States Flag United States Read
Jan Allison Isle Of Man Flag Isle Of Man Read
Sara Ella United States Flag United States Read
Elizabeth Kinch United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Connie Marcum Wong United States Flag United States Read
Sandra Adams United States Flag United States Read
Musing Over Edges United States Flag United States Read
Jessica Wheeler United States Flag United States Read

Book: Shattered Sighs