Thank you, Anya, for your comments. I have only recently stumbled upon this personal feud in a small part of the blogs section on Write Out Loud. Thankfully most people seem to be ignoring it - as they undoubtedly should - and are continuing to post up their poems regardless. I must emphasis that I am not speaking in an official capacity for Write Out Loud, and my thoughts are entirely personal. We have had many spats and rows in the past, but we never relish them. It should be pointed out that Write Out Loud started out life as just a Gig Guide, and that the blogs were added later. There is only so much time any volunteer moderator can spend moderating poems and comments. LIfe's too short. To suspend the blogs entirely would penalise the great, inoffensive majority, of course, but that action might have to be considered in the long-term, for the greater health of the site. Just my thoughts, of course.
Comment is about Pouring out the vitriol (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
kj
Big Sal's response to this poem can hardly be descibed as 'nonsense' that I should draw the line under and forget. Too much of a coward to come up front and be public with his comment on John's blog he chose to fire venom at me (and now my family) with the personally nasty and cruel PM below. This is completely against WOL guidelines
You REALLY expect me to put up with his PM to me kj? It is far more than just a 'spat' which should be obvious to anyone. His venom and vitriol is damaging the site. He should be shown the gate.
Hey You Cocksucking Bitch, You Can't Rhyme Faggot
Friday 1st February 2019 4:02 am
Just wanted to tell you that your comment on John's poem is as fucking stupid as you. Hope you read this because you're a fucking faggot you little bitch.
Keep talking about me bitch. I hope you do. Fuck you and your whole family you little pussy.
Comment is about Pouring out the vitriol (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I don't know what started this little spat, but it's now gone far too far. I think it's high time that all parties involved drew a line under it. I enjoy reading your poems, they really appeal to my daft sense of humour.
I also enjoy the sublime rhymes of Sal(don't deny that he is who this is about).
I just think it's a great shame to see you both wasting your talents on this nonsense.
Comment is about Pouring out the vitriol (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
<Deleted User> (21422)
Fri 1st Feb 2019 04:59
<Deleted User> (21422)
Fri 1st Feb 2019 04:40
Vitriol exuded
From a writer's pen
Is likely to just get them
In a lions den
Where all the lions don't
Don't see eye to eye
One persists in vitriol
(Which seems bit dumb to I)
The lion exuding vitriol
Is just too dumb to see
The other lions a'laughing
Laughing just at he
In lion-talk it's simply called
Getting on with others
Treating all with due respect
Treating all as brothers
But vitriol-exuders
Are oh so arrogant
They think they are so precious
Rid arrogance? They can't
And yes my fellow writer
Vitriol's heavy price
Just gets receivers offside
Vitriolers throw their dice
Their dice they hope will win them
The prize with such high stakes
The game they play is risky though
Their play could all be fake
Casinos wouldn't like this
As all us WOLers know
A gambler abusiing players
(Hot air, and all for show)
The bouncers (moderators?)
Would kick them out the door
And say so, so politely
Just don't come back no more ?
Comment is about Pouring out the vitriol (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Thanks for the insight John. Shakespeare gave great advice that I'm sure is used widely still today. I resonate most with Emily Bronte's pithy quote from my favorite book, Wuthering Heights: "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath - a source of little visible delight, but necessary."
Comment is about Yin-Yang Love (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
To Clarke and Jennifer,
I am really touched by your generous responses to 'Grace and Favour'. Thank you.
I was asked recently 'What is it about?' and I replied that it was about slowing down as the years slide by, and about seeking calmness, even serenity, within one's own world.
Chris
Comment is about Grace and Favour (blog)
Original item by Chris Hubbard
Speaks pithily to an eternal theme. Shakespeare had the last word, as usual:
Get thee a good husband,
and use him as he uses thee.
(All's Well That Ends Well 1.1.212-13)
Comment is about Yin-Yang Love (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
Wonderful! Plain in form and extraordinary in every other way. I like your style altogether too, D.K., in case I haven't told you!
Thank you ?
Mae
Comment is about Stick Men (blog)
Original item by d.knape
We know why you are here Po, to cheer us on to write more! Thanks for stopping by and playing the game! ?
Comment is about Match Point (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
Big Sal, didn’t I see somewhere you posted that you are 25? I don’t think I would have reached the same conclusion at that age.
Comment is about Yin-Yang Love (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
Thanks Phil. Tough one to write and share, but I challenged myself to dig deep and keep it real.
Comment is about Yin-Yang Love (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
Milkshake soul... can't think of a better dessert for a Thursday. Beautiful lyrics Dragan. Thanks for sharing. ?
Comment is about Thursday (blog)
Original item by Dragan Bozilov
Lysa as for Brexit and borrowing - here's one
"You're dammed if you do and you're dammed if you don't"
Bart Simpson.
Tommy
Comment is about Piggy in the middle (blog)
Original item by Lysa d
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 18:08
Damn, the whole thing is like one big slice of imagery with different twists on it.
Nice one man.? I don't know why, but the analogy reminded me of Tupac's "Me and My Girlfriend".
Comment is about Thursday (blog)
Original item by Dragan Bozilov
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 17:54
I suspect that Big Sal makes a reference to yours truly about "preach" and "practice". We all have a right to a point of view but also a responsibility to those who share this online platform we are so fortunate to use.
If I put in writing on WOL something which attracts adverse
comment, then my respect for other users of this site demands
I approach such comments via the use of explanation/ humour
and compromise where relevant. It is pointless taking a non- negotiable position and becoming "precious"/ protective about
one's work and seeing it as above reproach, with anything
other than agreement/praise unacceptable. An old saying goes:
sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt
me. Not a bad stance for putting one's own before an online
global audience with very different ways of seeing things.
Good luck.
Comment is about No one is better than anyone (blog)
Original item by Lysa d
<Deleted User> (21422)
Thu 31st Jan 2019 16:20
Hello Vautaw. Thank you for your comment ...and yes, WOL is a wonderful, cozy place to express whatever comes to mind. ?
Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)
Original item by Vautaw
At least you are enjoying her company while you have it! - it passes so quickly, but you have written it down to help you remember what it was like. Great work.
Jennifer
Comment is about Your seven. (blog)
Original item by mentalelf. Philk.
Agree with Clarke - awesome . Beautiful language - graceful darkling - slashing shadows - marching years. Can really relate to this as the years are really marching for me now, anyway. Thank you for a really good poem.
Jennifer
Comment is about Grace and Favour (blog)
Original item by Chris Hubbard
Nice! 'foundrel ' thought = thoughts leading to nothing? New word to me.
Jennifer
Comment is about Of flotsam and foundrels (blog)
Original item by Charlotte Peters Rock
Thanks for your like on Anywhere Will Do
Your poem Under the Cover of the Snow brings such a connection as each verse is read.
Comment is about Pyrola (poet profile)
Original item by Pyrola
Very moving indeed - beautifully sad.
Jennifer
Comment is about One Last Frozen Tear (blog)
Original item by Chris Armstrong
You're a gentleman Phil with that comment. I do try to be impartial and non judgmental and impart respect as a matter of course. Not always easy here I'm afraid, and sarcasm can come to my rescue.
Cheers. Ray
Comment is about mentalelf. Philk. (poet profile)
Original item by mentalelf. Philk.
The circle of life seen from different ends of life makes this special Phil. Great sense of continuity and comfort felt and expressed with real heart. I never had my own children and these thoughts rush in to fill a sort of vacuum. You hit a spot right enough.
Ray
Comment is about Your seven. (blog)
Original item by mentalelf. Philk.
Well stated Chris.
Got to be a welcome change from the eternal Welsh rain ?
Comment is about One Last Frozen Tear (blog)
Original item by Chris Armstrong
Thank YOU Phil for sharing your heart and vivid imagery with the WOL world! I am enjoying the journey here and look forward to reading more of your poetic prose. ?
Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)
Original item by Vautaw
Awesome...classic. Thanks for a great read, friend.
Comment is about Grace and Favour (blog)
Original item by Chris Hubbard
Yeah Big Sal, I guess it was more prevalent than the army would ever admit.
Comment is about The Smug Bastard (blog)
Original item by David Gabriel Caplan
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:39
MC and Don both know where I stand.
They both shouldn't be provoking others and then I won't talk shit back towards them.
I apologize if you were roped into this at all Lisa, or felt the need to respond. I also apologize for myself continuously involving you in it in any way.
The best thing to do is walk away. Yet I am hoping one of those two reads this, because if they keep it up there will be hell to pay.
I only speak up when someone diminishes my work or someone else's work. If they don't talk any more shit, then I won't either.
But they have to be willing to be the bigger men too, because I refuse to stand for any more of their bullshit.
As for all your distress, please don't take it to heart Lisa. I'm an asshole just telling other assholes what I think of them. I won’t be around for much longer anyways so don’t have to worry.?
Comment is about You pair are both great :-) (blog)
Original item by Lysa d
This poem is based on conversation I had with a fellow traveller on an overnight coach between London & Glasgow.
My companion had been a squaddy during the Falkllands conflict.
Comment is about The Smug Bastard (blog)
Original item by David Gabriel Caplan
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:33
This is exactly one of the reasons why American soldiers in Iraq started to frag their superiors.
Comment is about The Smug Bastard (blog)
Original item by David Gabriel Caplan
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:24
Makes me wonder about the 'stick dinosaurs' painted on Neolithic walls and caves. .
Comment is about Stick Men (blog)
Original item by d.knape
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:23
Every tiny victory counts, but a Pyrrhic victory does not.
Comment is about Tiny victories (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:21
Big Sal
Thu 31st Jan 2019 12:19
A few years ago a lady from a couple towns over near here drove her SUV full of her kids and nephews/nieces off a cliff trying to kill everyone. Only like 2 of the children survived, and the fact that they knew their aunt tried to take them out would then live with them for the remainder of their lives.
I only hope they got the help they needed.
Comment is about Bottle neck blues (blog)
Original item by John E Marks
I think your circumstances so nicely presented are more common then spoken out loud or written for all to read. A brave poem.
Comment is about Yin-Yang Love (blog)
Original item by Vautaw
Vishal Tyagi
Thu 31st Jan 2019 05:50
In order to clarify all your hurdles facing while using windows 10 system here we are having one of the best portal http://gethelpwindows10.com which will meet all your requirements. Try out for once.
Comment is about Jinx: Abigail Parry, Bloodaxe (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Vishal Tyagi
Thu 31st Jan 2019 05:49
If you are looking for one of the best portal http://addprinterwindows10.com/ which will let you know about how to add printers in windows 10 and will also provide you all information in the form of images. Try out for once.
Comment is about The Houses Along the Wall: Karen Hayes, Holland Park Press (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thank you for your kind words re "Boulevard". And welcome.
Comment is about Vautaw (poet profile)
Original item by Vautaw
The Great Fogginzo! What a fascinating story. I bet those students were as spellbound as I was stepping into your vivid memory. I am looking forward to reading about more of your adventures!
Comment is about Overlooked poets, open mics ... and how a blog got its name (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
Thu 31st Jan 2019 03:52
Don,
try writing some free verse
see what happens.
?
Comment is about Don Matthews (poet profile)
Original item by Don Matthews
I’m right there with you on the Boulevard of broken dreams. What a bittersweet memory. ?
Comment is about Boulevard (For my son). (blog)
Original item by mentalelf. Philk.
I do appreciate . I do. Thank you J. ty.
Comment is about Jon Stainsby (poet profile)
Original item by Jon Stainsby
<Deleted User> (5011)
Fri 1st Feb 2019 12:01
I apologise to all those negatively affected by these matters. We will not allow inappropriate material or attitudes to appear on our site.
Our approach is normally straightforward: we provide this service free of charge providing people follow the code of conduct. If they don't, we give a warning and ask that those considered to have breached the code to remove offending material; if needed, a second warning and we remove offending items; if a third occasion we remove the offending items and bar the offender.
As Greg suggests, we have seen it all before and managed to keep the site going for sixteen years, with a moderator looking after things. However, we have no moderator at the moment, and clearly need one.
we rely on volunteers to do this for us, as we receive no funding. Is there anyone reading this who would be willing to be our moderator? ideally, two or three working as a team, backed up by the editorial team.
When I put out the newsletter at Christmas asking for moderators, and a meet and greet person, no one showed up. If we cannot get one we will have to suspend the blogs until we can do so - as this clearly demonstrates - which also means no Poem of the Week for a while. We need one or more willing volunteers to police the site for us, or at least respond to complaints.
Comment is about Pouring out the vitriol (blog)
Original item by John E Marks