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For The Love of Poetry - Poetry Soup

Blog Posted by Tom Woody: 7/12/2025 10:49:00 AM

There are many poetry sites available via the Internet where amateur poets can hone their craft, correspond with and learn from others, have access to "The Greats" and in general, fall in love with poetry. Poetry Soup is one such site. Let's celebrate the privilege each of us have to be part of this thriving, ever expanding community. And let's do everything we can to ensure new ones feel safe and at home. There will always be problems and issues to contend with, just as there are in virtually every facet of society. Issues can be dealt with. People should be cherished. Wishing all a wonderful weekend. Tommy

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Brandy
Nicole

Date: 7/18/2025 7:47:00 PM

It's always about love, kindness, compassion and understanding; when it comes to poetry and friends. Even more so, with those not in our constant circle. :)

Tom Woody
Date: 7/19/2025 4:27:00 AM

Bill
Baker

Date: 7/15/2025 2:54:00 PM

Thank you for expressing the thoughts of many of us, Tom. I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/15/2025 4:32:00 PM

Yessir Mr. Bill

Sam
Kauffman

Date: 7/15/2025 1:52:00 PM

Thanks Tom for taking the time to write such an encouraging blog. I love to write my own poetry, don't even know how to contact an AI site and, like Maria, believe poetry forms community between poets and those who read poetry! This site is a haven! I send out a rhythm and rhyme every day to friends and people who seem to enjoy what I write. Sending you blessings!

Tom Woody
Date: 7/15/2025 4:32:00 PM

It can only be a haven if we reject the descent into name calling and the mob mentality. Thx Sam

Maria
Williams

Date: 7/14/2025 6:44:00 AM

Such a heartfelt and beautifully expressed message, Tommy. Your words are a gentle reminder of the power of community, empathy, and shared passion. It's true—poetry connects us in ways that transcend distance and difference, and places like Poetry Soup become more than just websites; they become havens. Thank you for encouraging kindness and inclusivity. Wishing you a wonderful week...Maria

Tom Woody
Date: 7/14/2025 11:17:00 AM

You're a true gem Maria

Rob
Carmack

Date: 7/14/2025 5:48:00 AM

Tommy, a noble goal but, it is in our nature to fight and to clique. Be it cats or dogs, pepsi or coke, etc (the correct answers are dogs and pepsi) :)

Tom Woody
Date: 7/14/2025 11:39:00 AM

Agreed. Rules schmules. What defeats hate and vitriol is love and unity.

Rob Carmack
Date: 7/14/2025 6:18:00 AM

The Coke I can understand, but no dogs? Chew on this; the Bible mentions dogs forty-something times, but not domestic cats. Yes, there will be conflicting POVs and there is going to be conflict in general. Rules and regulations that try to eliminate or mitigate this will just cause other problems.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/14/2025 5:55:00 AM

Sorry Rob, I'm a Coke guy, no pets. And yes, like I mentioned on a fellow poets' poem recently, whether it be here or somewhere else, really any facet of society there will be disagreements and conflicting pov's. Such is life for the present

Keith D
Trestrail

Date: 7/13/2025 6:15:00 PM

I’d like to see a monthly Soup podcast. Selected Soupers could tell us a little about themselves and select a poem, or poems, to read. Not just an audio but a visual as well. All this keyboard anonymity doesn’t tell us too much about who we really are.

I Am Anaya
Date: 7/20/2025 4:32:00 PM

Counseling or psychiatric therapy, podcasts or even tarot card readers ! Everyone pitches in.

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/15/2025 3:20:00 AM

Nope, it’s me alright. Trump has hair. Check out a limerick called The Price of Apartheid.

Richard D Seal
Date: 7/15/2025 2:55:00 AM

I found the poem, it appears to be aimed at Trump rather than you. He's very passionate on the subject it seems.

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/14/2025 5:31:00 AM

Tell me about it. There’s a hate poem written about me on the new poems page called The Old White Boy. Written by a FDC! I just roll my eyes. Welcome to my world.

Richard D Seal
Date: 7/14/2025 5:23:00 AM

No cliche there Keith, I often ffs at some of the things I read on this site

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/14/2025 3:23:00 AM

Don’t all self-respecting poets swear, drink and carouse! Or is that a cliché?

Richard D Seal
Date: 7/14/2025 2:32:00 AM

We had one of those years ago. Eileen, Nette, Richard L, me and several others. It was organized by a chap name of Drake (a very funny funny guy, who couldn't refrain from swearing), audio only but great fun. Oh for the old days.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 6:17:00 PM

Hey I actually like that idea.

Keith D
Trestrail

Date: 7/13/2025 4:41:00 PM

Okay, maybe now?

Tom Woody
Date: 7/14/2025 12:19:00 PM

Stinking pigs. Always getting drunk then making a mess

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/13/2025 8:25:00 PM

I'm giggling. :) Yep, I asked for it. I think I'll not follow the path of wee wee. I'll find my way home another way.

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/13/2025 8:01:00 PM

Right, you asked for it. A pig walks into a bar and orders ten drinks. After he drinks them all, the bartender says, “Don’t you need to know where the bathroom is?” The pig says, “No, I go wee wee wee all the way home.”

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 7:35:00 PM

Did Brandy say humor? I believe we can oblige, what do you think?

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/13/2025 6:46:00 PM

Beyond the positive feedback, a little humor is definitely is needed here. Just sayin'.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 5:32:00 PM

Too funny Keefer. I think many shy away from blogs even when they are positive because they're afraid of getting attacked. Just once I'd love to see the ones who come out of the woodwork to support anthology blogs support something forward thinking. Alas and alack

Keith D
Trestrail

Date: 7/13/2025 4:34:00 PM

I don’t have anything to add. Just wanted to make you hot. No, not in that way (I can’t work miracles), I mean your blog!

Tom Woody
Date: 7/14/2025 4:40:00 AM

My hotness has always been inherent ;)

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/13/2025 6:41:00 PM

Smiling at you. :)

Craig
Cornish

Date: 7/13/2025 11:54:00 AM

Agreed Tom, we've, and many, have had their differences, and like pecking orders, or perceived exclusive cliques at the "High School" cafeteria tables, we must, for the sake of humanity, be mature enough to move on. Ditto to Anaya below, and we've all been sinners - I'll own that, and am sorry - life's way too short!

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 12:00:00 PM

Thx for support Craig. Time to focus on our own individual integrity and move forward

I Am
Anaya

Date: 7/13/2025 9:21:00 AM

Y E S! For the love of poetry I joined poetry soup to learn poetry forms, technique's and y e s to be a part of a community It's been a really good run for me Now any place of gathering shall have their share of haters, manipulators, hate recruiters, innuendos, nitpicking drama queens, gossipers, name slandering, those who've sold their soul for an administrative approach, you name it! Religion/politics/AI/Envy/Jealousy it's all here and we don't have to be here so please try not to insult other poets I <3 Poetry Soup and I shall continue to be kind and comment to support and encourage poets as best I can and I hope more will be grateful (like me) and be kind to each other Great Blog Tommy my poet friend Keep up the good fight and always be true to you! Yet Isn't it ironic that the one reporting other poets has two accounts? Policy #10 You may only have one PoetrySoup account. If we can determine that you have multiple accounts, we will delete ALL of the accounts without warning.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/13/2025 1:52:00 PM

Anaya, you preach for peace but often leave hateful and accusatory comments. I tried to extend the olive branch to you recently and then saw more rude comments you posted about myself and who you refer to as the "mean girls". It's time to move on. Sincerity should not be fake.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 9:30:00 AM

Appreciate your support for kindness, generosity and peace Anaya.

Crystol
Woods

Date: 7/13/2025 12:47:00 AM

So, yes, Tom...I will celebrate with you all!! Btw, you are proof that one need not blow smoke and be untruthful when commenting on a poem that you don't personally enjoy or understand or that you think could use some improvement. You speak your heart and mind respectfully and constructively. We are all individuals with diverse tastes so we won't always love others writings. As long as we remain respectful and kind but if we cannot then just don't feel obligated to comment. Thanks for the blog Tom and the reminder! Xoxo

Tom Woody
Date: 7/13/2025 5:39:00 AM

We're so glad you're here. A positive force for sure

Crystol Woods
Date: 7/13/2025 12:47:00 AM

I am also grateful for this site.As a self taught and novice writer it takes courage to post poetry that is likely to be read by educated and successful writers. I was super glad when I was embraced by the community despite my lack. In the past year, since I began posting here, I've recieved 99% helpful, courteous, encouraging, and kind feedback. The 1% criticism sticks with me which is just human nature i think lol. I appreciate all of you who go out of your way and use your precious time to support me as i learn and grow in my poetry!

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 7/12/2025 2:53:00 PM

What I'm drinking at moment contains no alcohol, but I'll raise a toast with it anyway. Amen, Tom! *whisper*sparkling cider...

Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 3:07:00 PM

Yessir Mr. Ibeh

Constance
La France

Date: 7/12/2025 1:42:00 PM

Tom, nice blog, do you recall making fun of me for using my Ojibwe name, which I am proud of, some years ago, you and your buddies at the time were pretty demeaning to me. Not community friendly, I was very hurt by that and still remember the unkindness ...

Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 3:08:00 PM

I could bring up many old things too Constance but I moved on long ago. Peace

Constance La France
Date: 7/12/2025 2:50:00 PM

Tom, I accept your apology, but the deep hurt remains. I am mentioning now because it happened, Cannot be totally erased. My people have suffered greatly in Canada and to be mocked for a name of honor given to me is something that stays. But I am willing to move on.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 1:52:00 PM

Yes, Constance you're absolutely right and I believe I apologized long ago so not sure why you're resurrecting it. Let me apologize again and offer a reminder that we've all said things we regret at times. Then we move forward better, wiser

Brandy
Nicole

Date: 7/12/2025 11:36:00 AM

I appreciate you posting this blog, Tommy. :) I'm not one to linger on the negative, so this post brought a smile. There's so much negative around us, and for some unknown reason, it has found a way to invade the poetry world. I try look at the lighter and brighter side of each moment here, embracing kind words while treasuring the friendships made. I'm not naive to the negative. I just ' choose ' to hold friends close while looking forward. :)

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/12/2025 11:20:00 PM

I’m kind, kinda.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 1:50:00 PM

I hereby dub thee Queen of kindness. Let's spread the love...

Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/12/2025 1:41:00 PM

It's very difficult at times, especially when you see it all around. However, the more I push it away and look for the good, the better things are. For me.

Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 11:51:00 AM

If all of us adopted that philosophy we'd all be happier I think