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Laura Leiser Biography

I am a Californian, born and raised. My husband, Greg, and I Iive in San Diego, California. We have two grown sons, both married. Our older son, Eric, is an artist and filmmaker and our younger son, Jeffrey, is a film editor and composer. Their work is featured on their website, Albino Fawn Productions. We have two adorable grandsons, the younger just recently born in June, 2021. We also have two adorable granddaughters, the youngest born on 2024. I was an R.N. for many years, and chose to retire early. I am a Christian and active with the women's ministry at my local church. I love music, the arts, and have dabbled with poetry off and on for the last several years.

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My Grievance

Blog Posted by Laura Leiser: 12/20/2021 8:57:00 AM

I am disappointed that at this time of the year when we celebrate Christmas and goodwill that Poetry Soup is inadvertently becoming an increasingly divisive place. To give both "Bully Bully" and "Voo Doo" poems POTD awards mocks those poets who have beautiful poems that deserve recognition (more than these do). Does the PS team mean to encourage this kind of bullying behavior? If so, this is very disappointing for a poetry website to stoop so low. I'm sure there will be repercussions for me for posting this blog, but it's getting ridiculous and makes me less likely to want to post here. Too bad...I truly have enjoyed this site ( for years) in so many ways. Hopefully we can ignore this acrimonious behavior or block those who stoop so low as to continue to fling insults at one another. It will just go on "ad nauseum". I wrote a little poem a few days ago about my take on bullying..whether you agree or not, I choose to ignore the vitriol altogether. I prefer engaging in words that uplift rather than tear others down., Life is hard enough as it is, especially in this day and age. God bless you!
Laura

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John Watt

December 22, 2021 at 5:11 PM

Laura, I salute you for taking a stand against acrimony and divisiveness on PS. Not engaging in negativity is something we can all try to do to keep small flames from becoming contentious infernos. What trolls feast on is attention. If we spot abuse/bullying, let's take screenshots and report. If we find disagreements, let's do what we can to engage in civil discourse, and agree to disagree. We're a family here, let's work out our differences and learn to get along. Let's support and encourage those who have been bullied or maligned. Let's all make this the kind of site that we would be delighted to invite our friends to. Thank you for opening this dialog.

Laura Leiser

December 22, 2021 at 9:11 PM

I may have not used the correct venue via blog to state my grievance, but now that it’s done I’m glad it was brought to PS team’s attention. This is a great site in so many ways, and most of us here want to keep it positive. Thanks for your consistent care and encouragement to so many here, including me, John! God bless you and your family this Christmas! :)

Sam Kauffman

December 21, 2021 at 2:17 PM

Laura, thank you for your courageous blog. I heard "make a difference with what you have" in a sermon. We as poets can make a difference with our words - positive words that can make a positive change by lifting up our fellow poets. I truly believe none of us has "arrived." We can learn so much from each other. I learn from every souper everyday. My heart is saddened when one poet thinks and feels they have nothing to learn and takes on the role of expert. I think your advice to "ignore the vitriol" is sound and very wise as hard as it is to do. Sending your heart blessings of comfort.

Rob Carmack

December 21, 2021 at 11:49 AM

Laura I know you and many others want peace here, but given the human condition, I just don’t believe it is possible. Not a true and permanent peace anyway. To me, the haters are a gift. Like this very blog, and all the support it shows. And like it was with The Beautiful People, as they waxed and waned (both in mood and number), one is able to see who sways with them and who remains true. God Bless You Laura and Merry Christmas.

Rob Carmack

December 21, 2021 at 4:25 PM

William, indeed this life is a war in every place and in every way. Glad admin got one.

Rob Carmack

December 21, 2021 at 4:22 PM

Laura - It is good to see you are brave enough to speak up. No matter what happens, don't let the haters make you leave the site. That is what they want and that is what keeps them going more than anything else.

William Kelii Kekaula

December 21, 2021 at 12:48 PM

I simply acquiesce with your assertions, Rob. Goodness fails to be true lest evil gives it purpose. As noted, an individual has been steered towards the exit by the administration -- cues of effectiveness. Blessings Rob and Laura, to your loved ones as well, on the upcoming days ahead ... and the many years that follow, Aloha!

Laura Leiser

December 21, 2021 at 12:23 PM

I agree with you, Rob, about the human condition and realize there will always be trolls and poor behavior. But, I just could not remain silent as things were escalating in a negative direction yet once again. Now that PS team is on it, maybe they can figure out more effective ways to combat these issues. Merry Christmas to you and yours! :)

Constance La France

December 21, 2021 at 7:31 AM

Laura, well said, it is a very sad situation ~ love and serenity _Constance

Darlene De Beaulieu

December 21, 2021 at 7:30 AM

Hello Laura, This is suppose to be a friendly site, friendly to everyone. I feel there should not be any friction here at all of any kind. People her should be friendly to everyone here. This is how I feel Laura.

Unseeking Seeker

December 21, 2021 at 12:05 AM

True what you say. However, insulting behaviour cannot and should not be tolerated. There is no need to trauma bond. Perhaps, if admins are lax, we each can take a call on who we wish to block. There seems no other practical option to cyber bullying.

Terry Flood

December 20, 2021 at 3:32 PM

Spot on, Laura. Hard to see how to stop it. In the short term, blocking may have modest effect. In the longer term only completely ignoring offensive comments and/or deleting them may cause the offenders to look elsewhere for their, usually anonymous, kicks. Terry

L Milton Hankins

December 20, 2021 at 8:23 PM

Terry, your point is well-taken, and I am resolving to take that approach whenever I see something that offends me.

Andrea Dietrich

December 20, 2021 at 3:32 PM

I like your idea to ignore acrimonious behavior, Larua. if everyone did this, it would more easily remove the need for retaliation. There is bullying going on with both sides of the political arena and it's a shame if poets cannot get along despite political differences. We are a microcosm of the world here, so we need to show our sensitive side to each other , as difficult as it can sometimes be.

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 1:36 PM

shame somone has removed Tanias poem but not voodoo's which started it all in the first place. No wonder folk leave the site with such favouritism shown

Mark Koplin

December 21, 2021 at 10:37 AM

Admin has deleted voodoos poems

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 6:30 PM

My reasons I seldom POTD was emailed to TPS, whereto, they've responded professionally with their terms and conditions, and not a piece of their mind! 'Twas read after my comments below. Jan's point, "folk leave", it's my interpretation that few PS members that post elsewhere, no longer post here--it gives no cause they'd be considered "former" PS'ers--"serious", is subjective, methinks, "food for thought".

Mark Koplin

December 20, 2021 at 3:39 PM

William, I don’t think you need to be dropping snarky comments when people are being serious!

Team Poetrysoup

December 20, 2021 at 2:08 PM

Read our latest blog.

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 1:59 PM

Hmm, someone? Truth takes a sad turn, tho' I'm not surprised, yet that truth eventuates with PS members taking footholds in other poetry websites.

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 1:47 PM

I doubt very much if Tania has removed it as she was making a point, I will mail her

L Milton Hankins

December 20, 2021 at 1:43 PM

Unbelievable!!! My mind is boggled by the lack of fairness and superficial treatment of this very real issue!

Mark Koplin

December 20, 2021 at 1:20 PM

Potd is pretty much like politics, you might not agree with it but it’s won by popular vote. Instead of posting your concerns here and possibly making yourself a target of one of these trolls, I would recommend that you ignore the ones that offend you or send a complaint to admin via email. Merry Christmas!

Team Poetrysoup

December 21, 2021 at 5:37 AM

EXACTLY Mark! It's amazing that people reply in kind and then wonder why it continues.

L Milton Hankins

December 20, 2021 at 7:13 PM

That is precisely what I intend to do in the future, Mark, and If I do, I will provide them with everything they need. But, on the other hand, I won't be reading their snark any more, so I doubt that administration will be hearing from me.

Andrea Dietrich

December 20, 2021 at 3:28 PM

I like your response here, Mark. I do not know anything about the Tania event, and I think I want to avoid that thing, whatever it is.

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 1:35 PM

Dirt is always on top and no matter how deep you dig, it'll still be dirt ...

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 1:27 PM

Mark I have seen POTW with few reads and no comments yet it still gets POTD so its not always won by 'popular vote'

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 1:15 PM

Laura, I agree, and I'm sending you and TPS an email, Aloha!

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 8:46 PM

Mahalo, Laura! Smiles rec'd!

William Kelii Kekaula

December 20, 2021 at 3:21 PM

Mahalo, TPS! Your cut-N-paste rec'd!

Team Poetrysoup

December 20, 2021 at 12:36 PM

As a reminder, blogs are not to be used for public venting. However, to address your concern, we do not manually select the poems of the day. We use an algorithm based on the selections by members.

Team Poetrysoup

December 20, 2021 at 2:18 PM

@L MILTON HANKINS Please provide specifics, but read our new blog and associated links first. Thanks.

L Milton Hankins

December 20, 2021 at 1:40 PM

Several of us have been deeply offended by a few of the "poets" here on the site who persist on trolling, denigrating, insulting, and using disparaging language. I have been a target for over a year, I have notified Administration, and nothing (absolutely nothing) has been done to stop this behavior. If you want more specific information, I'll be more than happy to supply it!

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 1:35 PM

I see someone has removed Tania's POTD but leave voodoo child's 'bully bully' which started the issue. It beggars belief!

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 1:25 PM

sorry you felt compelled to remove your comments Jenna but I understand why you didit . Admin could I suggest that you actually monitor the poem chosen as POTD/POTW BEFORE it is shown on the site, perhaps that would prevent issues in the future.

Team Poetrysoup

December 20, 2021 at 12:54 PM

Jenna, maybe you can email us. We cannot determine anything by that post. Seems like you have some insider information. Email us. This is not the way to attempt to fix problems. It only makes things worse.

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 11:59 AM

Great blog Laura, but in truth I'm SO glad Tania got POTD in her rebuttal of the prev potd - there are two sides to the story shame a troll is back under an alias and causing issues and stirring the pot

L Milton Hankins

December 20, 2021 at 10:27 AM

I couldn't agree more, Laura. I have struggled with the idea of writing a similar blog, but I felt it would just pour gasoline on the fire. Thanks so much! I have also struggled with how to deal with the trolls, the insults, the put-downs, and the mean comments. I am blocking and will continue to encourage everyone NOT to give these people a platform.

Jan Allison

December 20, 2021 at 11:54 AM

well said Milton, just keep on doing what you are doing writing excellent poetry and supporting others with your comments and being a community builder. I will never be deterred from writing poop poetry (albeit it has been deemed 10th grade) and trying to make folk smile

Laura Leiser

December 20, 2021 at 10:29 AM

Thank you for your response, Milt. I think you are right. I know you want peace on this sight. Best to not add fuel to the fire. Hugs! :)

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