Kind - Patrick Cornwall's Blog

I have been on this lovely Poetry Soup site since the beginning of Dec 2011. I have created friendships here as well as learned alot about different forms of poetry.I have tried various forms but always comeback to my own style. It helps that you Soupers are very kind and give encouragement. In the posting of 68 poems i have gotten only 2 mean responses and 300 very wonderful and kind responses. I bypassed those 2 mean comments  wondering in my mind what would make someone say terribly mean things. My guess is they are terribly bored and think that by being cruel it somehow lifts them above the rising waters of their life. If they would only be loving and kind with their remarks they most likely would be rescued from the flood of the current goings on of the world by a helicopter ,boat or even a log passing guided by God......

Victoria Anderson-Throop Date: 4/5/2013 10:49:00 PM cruelty is usually unfounded and uncalled for....i sometimes wonder where the poison pens find their time....unless criticism is constructive, it is worthless...when I was a kid (weeping over ugly comments)my dad told me--only pay attention to the criticism of those you honor...that bit of wisdom has taken me past the pithy characters who only seek to scandalize by their 'superior' knowledge...keep writing --your voice obviously has touched the readers that 'count'! Login to Reply

David Williams Date: 5/23/2012 7:04:00 AM Patrick hope you are going to stay and not be put off by small minded people..David Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/21/2012 8:08:00 AM I meant the general "you" not you personally of course!! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/21/2012 8:07:00 AM Patrick, you are so right. I have seen unkind remarks scattered about at Soup and usually left by just the same two or three people every time. My opinion is that if you can't think of something good to say, just don't say it, and if you want to truly offer a suggestion for improvement, do it in a tacful/constructive way or in soupmail!! Login to Reply

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders Date: 5/20/2012 6:40:00 PM Hi Patrick, I have posted almost 300 poems since January when I became a member. In that short time, I've only received one negative comment out of thousands. I have received criticism, but within the spirit of good intention. It's easy to tell the difference. I find the soup to be a positive and encouraging place to share. The one person who left me a nasty comment, I noticed was not singling me out. This person was nasty with almost everyone and is no longer a member. Login to Reply

Charles Henderson Date: 5/20/2012 1:13:00 PM Some time ago, I ran across a poem from someone who had lost their spouse. The poetry was so terribly bad, and at the same time, gut wrenching, I went to the poet's website and of some twenty or thirty poems almost all were dedicated to the spouse. I was so moved I could respond to the poems only with the small comment, that time is the only answer to anything so horrific. I followed the person for several months and though the tone slowly changed, the quality of the poems remained the same. At the same time, there were many comments expressing sorrow for the person. But there were others giving advice on how to write poems and some comments downright rude. I'm not sure that all realized what was going on in this person's life and it is a shame, that some feel they have to respond negatively from so few words written inadequately. Login to Reply

Joann Grisetti Date: 5/20/2012 11:47:00 AM I am lucky that I have not received any mean comments. I like the atmosphere that all are welcome and accepted. Login to Reply

David Williams Date: 5/20/2012 10:33:00 AM Patick, just ignore things like that, keep writing..David Login to Reply

Michael Smith Date: 5/20/2012 10:28:00 AM Amen brother Souper! (Or super brother) Login to Reply