Structure Stricture

There's a Dick In the Pic 😾

(Con)descend your mountain

patronise too the sea

crystallise ur pearls

of sycophancy

In the murky 

depths far

far away

from

me

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I totally get what you're saying about the poetry police, which I try not to be part of! I started at the cafe 5 years ago after a lifelong professional writing career & I had strong ideas about what "good" writing was all about. The younger, fresher writers on this website have taught me a thing or two about losing my "corrective" approach (who cares about grammar & spelling, it's the HEART of a message that matters!) But I can also see this message in a very different way, about politics in the USA, which are so divided. I just don't want to hear that crap from "the other side" (Trump supporters) anymore. I tried to understand them, tolerate them, ignore them . . . but now I'm blocking them! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

PS this poem is superb in terms of making a poignant point!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I wrote this in sheer ire as a couple of my friends who are new on here are upset because they had stuff pointed out in their poems and given tips they didn't ask for and it demoralized them. So I thought I'll make a point because it's their Art and they deserve to express themselves the way they prefer. I agree with you, my dear friend Margie! Whether poetry police or politically motivated nuisance makers, we must block!
Thank you for appreciating my point! HUGS!

[Relic]

It's not okay to bash someone or talk down to them in a condescending way in your review even if the writer is not new. But if adding a suggestion is out as well as constructive criticism, the poetry police that created this site must be defunded. :)))))

Would it not be okay to ask the owner to add a 'Yes, I want friendly feedback" or a "No, I do not want constructive critique" option at the bottom of the poem much like Deep Underground Poetry does?
Or perhaps they could just mention it in the Author's note with every poem that's posted. Much like the "Ignore grammar errors.

No one wants to find out there are faults in their writing, so let's not tell them. :))) Below, I've put brackets around the words that may need to be redacted or removed. They can be found in the "about" section at the bottom of the page.

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[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Its very sad when nice people get hurt and leave because they had flaws pointed out, or were simply made to feel intimidated about writing or were actually mocked and stalked. A friend got upset and may leave. Others felt intimidated, being sent mails etc and they left. If only this was about writing, reading, reviewing and being reviewed, this poem wouldn't have been written at all. Thank you for sharing your views, dear Relic.

[Relic]

Isn't it possible to just block and ignore? No one should be intimidated off the site by anyone.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Some people do use the block option. Others are hesitant. And anyway, by the time they decide, the damage is done.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

It takes a single line to create doubt in somebody's mind about their writing ability.....

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I think I am with you on this important subject Relic. I have learnt some things from feedback even if it was at times 'painful'. We don't learn from platitudes and we insult the art because we fail to help people to develop their creative talents.

[Relic]

...........Thanks.

[Ana Papaya]

I don't know that there's a single person here that hasn't encountered some form of harrassment.
You grow a thick skin after a little while. Sad, but true. I think the new people and especially younger writers need our encouragement and guidance. If there's a glaring error I've always pointed it out as gently as possible in a private message and I think that's fine, because typos do happen and we are here to learn from each other. But as much as there are nice people here there are at least a handful I can count who are not, in my experience. Anyway, I like your poem and what it stands for.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

A cool, level-headed approach always works, yes. Avoidance is also another way out. So nice of you to appreciate where this is coming from. Thanks dear Ana.

[Ana Papaya]

You're welcome :)

[Relic]

A clever poem with good structure. (haha)

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I have a funny bone so I appreciate your laughing with me.

[Inessa]

Wow. So relatable, Dhara. Personally, there is nothing worse than a condescending, patronising a-hole flittering in my presence. I can smell them from my years of experience in the corporate world. If only they could meet my twin 6'4 military brothers! Lol. I love the language here and the layout on the page and the theme speaks for itself. Some great responses you have too!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

All I request is that you please don't leave the cafe too, dear Inessa. You're a glorious poet. Talk to someone.

[Miss Marlette]

Had this problem too..
One poem I wrote and this guy followed and mailing me. Creepy. I ran.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

You told me about it in Feb and I remember it all too well. Thanks Prissy.

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL only my favorite kitty would write this:) tonight it's tuna for you! I wish i would catch some of these folks doing this I never seem to see it but I do have the attention span of a bunny:? These structurist and form folks are a dying breed I think that is part of the problem. I like some structure but im sorta a hybrid I'm more concerned with how words sound like a musical thing than Iambic pentographical thingamadoodles I don't even want to get into stressers good god they stressers alright. I have also noticed that many of these folks only seem to "help" females on this site which is creepy... but more so, sad:( A lot of them over the years I have taken the time to review and found they don't even respond? and I caught on to their games pretty fast:( I honestly considered opening an account with a female avatar just to f**k with them but I just don't have the time:/ I'll leave that job to the natural mousers in the site:)

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I'm glad you have the attention span of a bunny, dear friend. It helps to preserve our sanity online.
A whopping YESSS on Iambic pentographical thingamadoodles! They are just thingamoodles! Bunny is observant and so so very astute! Its awesome to be your friend!
Many happy thank yous for the review and the Tuna you sent my way with much love. Meow Meow ❤

[;)]

Isn't this write a wonderful surprise! Such a Ballsy piece, Dhara_Ditzy! You have hit the nail on the head of what is one of the major issues with this site; the overtly ridiculous criticisms by those esteemed and brilliantly talented types that feel the need to invade the personal pages of others, under the pretence of a genuine review, to push their filthy agendas, rampant Roman senatorial sycophancy and hey!, perhaps lure a newcomer (ALWAYS FEMALE, as you rightly decreed) to their page. Combine that with the occasional racist white a*****e, the resident loser of Lon Chaney proportions who has more accounts than live brain cells, the odd ridiculous millennial who bullshit's about being the mod of various sites and some kind of literary miracle, yet writes as fractured as a broken arm and the various comings and going of back scratching cliques that judge the value of work on the page with ignorance and a surefire 100% mark for their buddies......then....is it any wonder the site has become a laughing stock and place where even tumbleweeds are afraid to inhabit!? True lovers of writing and poetry or storytelling, embrace all forms of the word, regardless of who has written them or the level of their experience. Wouldn't it be a better place if everyone just embraced the efforts of others, free of jealousy, criticisms and hidden agendas, to make the site a thriving community?? Perhaps it is something we all need to think about. A thriving, bustling community is far better than an abandoned ghost town of a site where the spectres of past genuine writers lie buried in unmarked graves. As Jacob has stated below, most critics want you to be just like them. Just another sheep devoid of talent and literary expression. So keep the criticisms to yourselves. Relate to the content! Tell how it makes you feel! What it evokes in you! Share an experience with others that their words have stirred within. Otherwise this place is doomed and as everyone here surely knows, there is no better format on the internet to post and interact for writers. It's destiny is in our hands. Be inclusive, or be exclusive and accept its impending death. And as for those who love to chase tails on this site? Wake up to yourself, you f*****g rock spiders! Keep your Casanova bullshit in 1745 where it belongs! Sorry for the rant, Dhara, but as you have written, sometimes a good kick in the a*s is needed. I appreciated your poem very much. Very well done.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I love your rant, dear Brilliance! The very reason I could preserve my sanity is because I stay away or take long breaks. I'm hurt because I keep losing good friends like Prissy, Rania, Jamila and quite a few others.
A brilliant friend of mine suggested I put it out there. So here it is. I hope the culprit is reading this. My heartfelt thanks my friend.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Btw... this irritating fellow never mails new male writers here. Only females. His intentions are quite clear.

[AJNJ]

I thought this was about me but after a closer look at the pic, its not. Though I can be a dick sometimes, I never mail a lady online. Not desperate just irate.

Great post Ms. Kat! Your talons are the sharpest of all!

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Its not about you. Its about an idot who goes around imposing himself on new girls volunteering to teach them poetry. This is the third friend of mine who's left the site and run away.

[AJNJ]

wow. Okay.....