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RULES: Poem Content and Personal Attacks, Battles, or Cyberbullying and Harassment

Blog Posted:12/20/2021 1:48:00 PM

Occasionally members complain about the content of poems. It is important to remember that PoetrySoup allows all types of poems except those prohibited by our Terms and Conditions. If you do not like the political or religious content of a poet's work, do not read their poetry. Personal preference is not a reason for reporting a poem.

Personal Attacks, Battles, or Cyberbullying and Harassment

As a reminder, PoetrySoup does not allow personal attacks, battles, or slamming members. However, PoetrySoup cannot read between the lines of poems. If someone is using your name or clearly attacking you or your poetry, please take a screenshot of the comment or poem and email it to PoetrySoup. Do not retaliate. Do not react. When you respond you are stooping to the immature level of the bully.

Before reporting a poem, please objectively read the poem and determine if it can clearly be associated with you.

Remember, a disagreement is NOT bullying.

What are cyberbullying and harassment?

Post Comments

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L. J.
Carber

Date: 12/21/2021 10:05:00 AM

Not sure what this is all about, don't even know what 'POTD' means, but it's a bit sad to see rancor amongst poets,of all people, especially at Christmas when the only man incapable of hatred in his heart came to this world. As poets we know that if our words can enter another heart/mind/soul, then we have done something amazing, a miracle of transcendence. Words, unlike bullets, cannot kill but yes, they can hurt, unless you see how deeply the 'bully' must be suffering with self-contempt, and if you do, and feel compassion for someone so lost, then you will feel your soul flood your heart and mind in peace. And that is why Jesus said to forgive: for our sake, not for the other's lost soul.

Robert James Liguori
Date: 12/22/2021 10:04:00 AM

POTD is poem of the day.

Constance
La France

Date: 12/21/2021 7:14:00 AM

TPS, what is the best way to contact you? Is it on the contact us at the bottom of the page? Or is it by email off the site? Or is it on the poem of concern under report poem ? ~ peace and tranquility _Constance

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/21/2021 2:35:00 PM

email

Beata
Agustin

Date: 12/21/2021 5:18:00 AM

Thanks for the info. God bless you.

David
Kavanagh

Date: 12/21/2021 12:44:00 AM

I believe ps admin owes everyone an apology, for allowing this situation to fester, it will never stop by appeasement, only by proper governance, and if admin allows it to continue, I for one will stand my own ground, and never pander to trolling, rule books and procedures are totally impotent and worthless if not enforced, this team ps blog is nothing more than toothless appeasement, David Kavanagh

David Kavanagh
Date: 12/21/2021 6:11:00 AM

That’s exactly what I thought it’s almost impossible to govern, and hence that is where the problem lies, so long as this truth remains, it will always be around. As for where culpability is to be applied that is entirely your call, based on your response I do empathise but I stand by my assessment, cheers David

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/21/2021 5:25:00 AM

...Do not reply in kind or you will share culpability. Just screenshot and report. If it is a CLEAR violation we will take action. However, we cannot discern if poems are targeting a person unless it is evident. Unfortunately, it is always a certain small group that causes most of the problems...just like in the society in which we live.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/21/2021 5:25:00 AM

That's why we rely on members to report CLEAR violations of PoetrySoup rule. However, it's almost impossible to govern the tit-for-tat minor disagreements. We want people to display maturity. It takes two to tango.

David Kavanagh
Date: 12/21/2021 3:45:00 AM

No soupers should be made feel like they need to apologise to admin, for admins own shortcomings, I hope admin reads my latest posting (stand with me), they will see where I am coming from

Jenna Logan
Date: 12/21/2021 2:30:00 AM

I agree with your assessment that stricter monitoring is needed by the administration to prevent he said/she said tongues wagging in a tit for tat manner. I don't think any of us, whether we pay dues or not, like the idea of not being able to have a say over who will be allowed to write whatever they choose to us without us having the ability to prevent such behavior. The blocking availability is a good feature, but not when those we block can reach us in another way. That porthole gives free rein to anyone who wants to throw barbs. I've asked that this problem be addressed, and I sincerely hope admin can prevent it.

Unseeking
Seeker

Date: 12/21/2021 12:22:00 AM

Good to hear Admin! Hope this translates into action on ground as well. So far, I’ve not had reason to block anyone but I was certainly dismayed at the recent toxic developments.

Laura
Leiser

Date: 12/20/2021 7:48:00 PM

I appreciate you restating the rules about cyber bullying and harassing, PS team. Thank you. I do enjoy this site and want it to be a place of encouragement without harassment.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/21/2021 5:20:00 AM

Yes! Use the block feature. That's why we created it. However, don't forget to report clear violations of PoetrySoup rule. However, it's almost impossible to govern the tit-for-tat minor disagreement. We want people to display maturity. It takes two to tango.

L Milton
Hankins

Date: 12/20/2021 7:04:00 PM

I will stand my ground and continue to work to make Poetry Soup the best poetry site on the net. However, I will systematically deny those who harass and insult me and other poets by blocking them from commenting on my poems, thus denying them a platform, and I will simply NOT read the "work" of those who persist in obnoxious, s-stirring behavior, period! There is no need for me to say any more.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/21/2021 5:20:00 AM

Jan Allison
Date: 12/21/2021 12:35:00 AM

well said Milton and keep on building the community with your supportive comments, I've just used the block facility and will move on as no way will I be driven away from the site by those hell bent on causing aggro, Happy Christmas:-) hugs Jan xx

Kim
Rodrigues

Date: 12/20/2021 6:14:00 PM

A good thing to make clear, from all angles. Thank you. I love this site and my fellow super soupers!

Constance
La France

Date: 12/20/2021 4:22:00 PM

Please poetry friends can we work on keeping PoetrySoup a safe haven for poetic minded writers, Merry Christmas ~ love, peace and tranquility _Constance

Tania
Kitchin

Date: 12/20/2021 4:18:00 PM

My apologies to team poetry soup regarding my poem. I did not realize it was against the rules. I was trying to stick up for my friends on PS. I will from now on report and notify PS admins as needed instead.

Mark Koplin
Date: 12/20/2021 5:34:00 PM

I don’t think you owe anyone an apology Tania! My hat is off to you for standing up for what you believe!!

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/20/2021 4:54:00 PM

No problem. Reacting and retaliating often make things worse which is why we have the following policies. Do not retaliate. Do not react. Thanks

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 12/20/2021 3:24:00 PM

I really like your response to all the childishness I see going on. Nobody is perfect here. I am sure I have pissed off a lot of people with my strong opinions, and when I see THEIR poems with different views, I just try to hold in my anger and move on past those poems they write. I have seen some really hideous things said about unvaccinated people, for example. But if they want to joke about us, so be it. I am a big girl and can take it. Also, as you said, you do not have the ability to "read between the lines," so I really like your solution to that problem using screen shots!! To quote Edward "Let there be peace on earth." (and on SOUP)

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 12/20/2021 3:06:00 PM

I wish every souper would just listen to this song. Let there be peace on earth. Happy holidays! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h16DmdQvxB0

Robert James
Liguori

Date: 12/20/2021 2:50:00 PM

"Can't we all just get along?" -- Rodney King

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/20/2021 2:51:00 PM

That would be nice.

Jan
Allison

Date: 12/20/2021 2:15:00 PM

so is voodoo child's bully bully poem going to be removed - I am yet to hear from Tania if she removed her POTD?

Mark Koplin
Date: 12/20/2021 5:39:00 PM

Admin, can you not see the antagonistic comment made above by voodoo child? He does not have a book called that. Here is your chance to show us.

Jenna Logan
Date: 12/20/2021 3:17:00 PM

@Team Poetry Soup, I'll adhere to the rules. Moving on...I will notify you if/when further instances occur. Thanks for responding.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/20/2021 3:06:00 PM

@Jenna Logan, if someone violates PoetrySoup rules, please follow the directions in this blog. Do not retaliate. Do not react.

Jenna Logan
Date: 12/20/2021 2:58:00 PM

You missed your chance to see where the bullying was going on when you removed Tania's potd, and deleted her poem from the site. Voodoo Child was harassing several of us on her poem. How unfair that her poem was removed and his is still on site, since he's the instigator. Three weeks on the site and he started badgering many of us.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/20/2021 2:25:00 PM

As we read the poem, it is just about bullying. What do you read in that poem that we are missing? Please EXPLAIN. Do not say we ignore things and then don't tell us what we are missing. Who is that attacking and how can we tell? If you don't want to explain here, email us. However, PoetrySoup cannot read between the lines of poems.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/20/2021 2:23:00 PM

their poem was the catalyst to why Tania did her POTD - whats the point in pointing things out to you, you just ignore our concerns.

Team Poetrysoup
Date: 12/20/2021 2:20:00 PM

Who is that attacking and how can we tell?

Sam
Kauffman

Date: 12/20/2021 1:51:00 PM

Thank you! Sending you joy and blessings at Christmas!

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