Since my return, I have wondered about our new community and how it is growing. What seem to be the major issues that effect us? As poets we are constantly (or should be constantly) training our mind's eye in our observance of life. You would think that should make us pretty good communicators no?

I think you the reader would be surprised by the answer. Poets do not have ink running in their veins. Nor do most of them sound like they are speaking in a constant flow of Iambic Pentameter. As such they are subject to the same foibles of the spirit most mere mortals are subject to.

We have our likes, our dislikes, we are even known to have petty natures. Poetry has so many divided camps. There are those that consider structured forms to be the syntheses of poetry. Then there are the free form let it all hang out crowd. We also have those that feel that their work should rhyme. It is the interaction of these main camps that I think I could improve my communication skills.

If you look at my badge it shows a "Trustee" badge. It is not an "Advocate" badge. Yet, I think that we collectively as a group need to encourage each other to be better than we are. If a member of this community is recognized as a poet we should applaud and acknowledge that accomplishment.

I have been thinking of some of the recent responses that some pieces/poets have generated. Although the general thrust of responses has fallen into what I call "Constructive Criticism" the over all tone has been less than encouraging.

It is really hard to give an honest critique of anothers works, without the poet feeling pretty exposed. It is also very difficult to read something that is just horrible...by what ever definition you choose to use, and not leave a comment...

Originally, the idea of an advocate or mentorship program was floated about. What has happened to that idea? Have any poets asked to have help with editing or working on their work? Have the advocates out there asked if a new poet would even want their help? As I have been gone for some time, I am in need of information.

A poet is much more than just a person who writes poetry. As a general rule they have thoughts and opinions that at times are better expressed in a Forum topic. Yet to date I have not seen a real change in the number of Forum topics, or posts.

If you and myself are going to make this a virtual poetry community, then there is more to creating a community than just posting poems.

I want to know what you are thinking. I want to know a better way to critique anothers work. I want to know what sort of ideas WE as a community can generate to make us collectively better.

Thank you for your time.

-David