The editor

Finally, a metaphor ...:)

Normally, housekeeping is a paid job.
but we had built a certain rapport,
and I was stupid enough
to accept his invitation,
to do a little cleanup.

Problem is, the damned thing
needed a tear-down,
and re-build.

But I am a person
true to my word.
so I did it,
I cleaned it up,
as best I could.

Privately, behind the scenes,
so as not to call attention 
to his shoddy housekeeping.

I left it sparkling,
brand new,
in fact.

A few days later,
he changed the locks,
and barred me from entering
the very home I had renovated.

So I can't even see,
if he kept it neat,
or trashed it,
just to spite me.

Author's Note

I have met many wonderful people on the WC. I have been asked to edit, only to be barred and blocked for the very thing I was asked to do. For all the people who accept help with graciousness, I thank you. For others -- if you ask for help, don't be offended when you get it.

Reviews

[NoelHC]

I like the way you have compared this to a home reno. You took the time and made the effort to assist someone who requested your assistance and after spending time making those edits to be treated like this is insulting.
There are many writers on here who act this way, that is a big part of why I have backed off reviewing and turned requests off.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. Long time no see. Yes. It is insulting and makes a person reluctant to review.

[Sammi]

Gee KLGoode it is so hard to understand people who turn their backs on those who offer us help, my daddy once told me that everything I know and learn will come from someone else so never turn a deaf ear to anyone unless I want to quit learning, and I can't imagine how this person really asked for your help and when you took your generous time to give it to them they actually blocked you, any help you want to offer me I will gladly and happily welcome with both arms open wide [and I need it too lol] -- I feel sad for you and hope that they did not hurt your feelings to bad, you were just being a good friend to them and I hope you won't quit giving help to all of us, this is a very fine written poem and I love how you got the disappointment off your chest too -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

PS I think you're fastly becoming my favorite poet to read! :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you very much. I did not have my feelings hurt so much as became angry and disappointed at wasting my time. I shall not do so again. Barleygirl's advice is smart, and I shall keep it in mind when approached by anyone else seeking assistance.

[Sammi]

I am so happy your feeling did not get very hurt KLGoode and i know Barleygirl is a really smart girl with good advice I am sure and i will read her advice to, remember you'll never waste your time on my by trying to help -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[Ted Kniffen]

KL: This seems to be a place where most writers come for a pat on the back as opposed to an honest critique.

[Lyn Anderson]

Well, a pat on the back is nice, but leaving up blatant errors is just shoddy. Thanks.

[Ted Kniffen]

A pat on the back is good, but being appreciative of someone's help is better.

[barleygirl]

I get this a lot on this website & I never offer the whole tear-down deal. Recently asked to review, I apologized for my own inclinations (in private), saying I'm not qualified becuz I simply don't like this person's message & way of relating to the world . . . explained it felt like his story was objectifying women. I got reamed & blocked. It makes me laugh now. Not worth the emotional energy to react to this s**t. But you've done a very good job of translating unfairness into creativity, which is another great way to respond (((HUGS)))

[Lyn Anderson]

I didn't offer. I was asked. I got suckered, and then blocked for my efforts. It happened, I learned. It won't happen again. Basically, if it requires that much editing, it's a paid job.:)

[barleygirl]

I didn't mean "offer" the way you are saying it in your reply . . . I mean, being asked, then offering your style of editing. I'm also talking about people who request me to go out of my way to review them, then they blast me for what I have to offer.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yeah, I guess I was just to nice to say no after saying yes. My mistake.:) I once had a random person PM me with his personal bias that a story should be written in passive past tense, and suggested an entire re-telling of a particular story. When I defended my POV, he got right offended, and blocked me. Number 1, I didn't ask his opinion. Number 2, his opinion is not valid, at least as far as my recent experiences with publishers, who prefer simple past tense and third person, or first person narration.If the person who had asked me to edit had simply said thanks, but no thanks, it would have ended at that. Passive past tense has a valid place, in historical and dramatic pieces, but in other works it is frowned upon by publishers. There are reasons why simple, clean, direct writing is very marketable -- which is why, miss Barleygirl, you need to get publishing, because there will be a market for your stories out there.:)

[barleygirl]

Here's what I've figured out (thinking back on your poem posted here) . . . if a person needs a significant clean-up, that tells me the person probably isn't going to welcome one (so I never go there) . . . if they were inclined to clean up their work, it wouldn't be so full of junk in the first place. Thank you for your kind words about my potential for being published, but I'm writing for different reasons these days (((HUGS)))

[Sammi]

Wow Barleygirl it seems a lot of the writers on here are very over sensitive so I'd better be careful how i review them before I get blocked too, it makes me wonder what anyone would share their poets with the world if they don't want to know how they honestly come across to others and want to get better at their writing, its hard to understand but I will really take what you said to KLGoode as good advice -- thank you! :)

HUGGS!
Sammi

[redzone]

Kl, you have saved my arse on more than a few occasions by "editing" my poems... If it were a paying job I think I would owe you like millions of dollars, trips to the Islands, a new car, hell anything you would want... though I also have left you a few misplaced commas or those tricky lay, lie type words on purpose just to see if you are awake... lol

some people who think they are artists, are just arrogant bores with their heads up their a*s.. but your poem is wonderful metaphor and while metaphor is needed in poetry and life, realistic poetry also is needed... and you do them all well...

redzone

[Lyn Anderson]

I appreciate it. The thing is, this one particularly irked me because I was actually asked directly to do it. I have had others reject editing because they say it's their feelings, and I just stay away from writers who say "ignore mistakes" -- the thing they don't get is, YOU CAN'T and still enjoy the story. Ever watched a really good movie that all the sudden makes a really bad cut (be it clothes, or something) or says something that is just wrong? I once watched a movie where the characters were supposed to be Brasilian but were speaking Spanish! Arrgh. I wonder how much that happens between Ukranian and Russian, for example? Anyhow, thank you, my friend. I won't bother anymore unless I am sure it will be appreciated.:)

[Einstein Noodle]

i am giggle smirking ...great write for me ..we can be so humorous without even knowing it sometimes ..i have a brother in law who is like that ...i just shake me head chuckle and walk away ..he is my brother after all and i do love him :}
E.
ps i can't believe he blocked you ...that is so funny to me ;)
pss oh...i agree with jacob ..very strong use of the metaphor

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow...you built a perfect metaphor---and yes, if people ask for help, they should expect to get it.

every comment is not going to be "oh i love this, great poem"

or in this case..."what a perfectly beautiful home you have---nothing out of order, neat as a pin!"

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks, I take that as a real compliment, coming from you, whose metaphor for me is the tops in here. I am super annoyed at being asked to give my time and then scorned for it. It won't happen again. Fair warning to anyone with really bad grammar, don't bother asking, because the answer is NO.

[Jon Roggie]

To be honest, it is tricky being the editor. It takes a different look to spot those little things. When you write it, you are too close. Some only want the pat on the back, and not a simple critique. By now, you know I am just lazy. I have no complaints when you start cleaning up whatever mess I have managed to create!

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, thanks. The person about whom I wrote this poem won't even see it, because he blocked me, after asking me to help him with edits and read and review a story.

[Ana Papaya]

That's a shame. People should be open to critique. It helps us improve. People are sensitive so behind the scenes is good way to deliver this. I am sorry this happened to you. I like your poem too.
:)

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. Another lesson learned. I shall not repeat the same mistake again. If only I could wash the bad grammar from under my eyelids ... lol

[Ana Papaya]

:) exactly, lesson learned.

[Terpsichore]

And a damned good metaphor at that.

Relationships; can't live without them, can't live with them. :))

T

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I tend to write on the reality side, not super dressed up in metaphors -- but this one called for that, thanks for stopping in. I just read "shot rabbit" -- it helped cleanse the filth of the bad writing right off, thanks!