A quick note on the thread drift. It does matter that the thread-originator, Janice, doesn't mind, but threads belong to the Sphere as a whole, not their starter, so there needs to be a bit of collective discipline.

We currently have three topics going - the Ward story, an analytical discussion of a Swedish poet, and a debate about a Scots one. That's ok, just about, but I wouldn't normally want things to sprawl in this way. Here, it's just a tribute to the rich possibilities of the topic - and to the knowledge and wit of the members!

Peace, John. Garrioch's fine by me.

Thanks, Adam, for wisely stepping in.

The intended thread topic was the CW story. We don't want the discussion to develop into a vindicative witch hunt.

Max asked a reasonable question on ethics: Are google translations on a par with submitting what is essentially another poet's poem to a relatively obscure contest? No, most definitely not, is my opinion and I'm glad Max asked.

I think this thread can die a natural death now.

Adam, thanks for the clarification. Incidentally, Janice suggested that I should start a new thread on the Finland-Swedish poet we were discussing. I'm not sure that I particularly want to do that at present, and feel that the discussion has more or less run its course, but if I did feel so inclined, what are the rules for new members starting new threads, please? Do I need to have 15 posts to my name, or is there some other qualification?

Hello William, the fifteen posts rule only applies to posting poetry or fiction for criticism on the workshop boards, and I think - though I'm not sure - you should post 15 crits before posting your own work. That can be clarified by a poetry moderator. In any case, it's good manners to crit others' work more often than you post your own.

By all means start a discussion thread at any time. If it's about the literary canon, then Musing on Mastery may be the place.

just to note another example has come to light:

http://kimmoorepoet.wordpress.com/20...ew-forster-16/

http://flaskandpen.com/poetry/the-be...f-damselflies/

To start a thread for critique of your own poem, the guidelines say this:

"As a new Member, you have to undergo a small apprenticeship before posting your own works for critique on the Metrical, Non-Metrical, and Fiction Forums: you must wait at least one week following your Membership approval and offer a minimum number of substantive critiques before starting a thread of your own. The minimum number of critiques for poetry is fifteen on the Metrical, Deep End, and Non-Metrical Forums combined. For the Fiction Forum, the minimum is three."

But there's no rule about starting a discussion thread, and those are always welcome.

Just to keep this post to the thread's actual topic: Oy! I cannot believe the chutzpah this plagiarist creep displays. Good for Janice for outing him more extensively.

I should have read all of the above replies, but I'm pressed for time.

I propose that about five or ten of the best poets here compose really catchy and good damnations of entity Ward, in a manner that makes it clear who he is and what he's up to, but that are not quite libelous (even in Britain).

These should be good enough to endure and become fairly famous.

Then he can find another vocation, such as carpenter, or perhaps take up international diplomacy as a trade.

Umm, Allen, umm. I am not sure that is such a good idea. I mean how can we pick the five best poets. There's you and me of course, :D but the other three? We don't want to start intra-Sphere rows. You know how awful those can be.

Terrific idea, Allen! Why don't you start? Put up half a dozen or so, to inspire the rest of us, but make certain that they're catchy and snappy and slappingly good. And that they're really yours! Janice is watching, and sometimes her determinations will amaze the troubled midnight and the noon's repose.