[ChristyElizabeth]

Ode to "Hit and Run Poets" in the General Thread

I didn’t think I’d ever find a place
on this board, to reveal this vile post.
I wrote it several years ago in case
some dross I proferred horrified the host.

Although I’ve learned a lot here from the guests,
I must confess I don’t post much at all.
I mostly read—-glean answers from the tests
(Or should I say the “testy”) as you brawl.

It’s not like everyone’s a misanthrope.
In fact, there’s several here that I admire--
The ones that tell the truth, while leaving hope
that I can truly write. I should aspire

to use strong nouns and verbs, don’t be cliche
when writing poems. And cut the qualifiers.
I'm fond of Alan Sullivan today.
His one-line counsel lit so many fires.

“Don’t pose in your poetry,” he said.
There’s others, like dear Robt and the Cantor
Who, although gruff, I always read their thread.
I also seek out Bug's and Rosie’s banter.

“Bottom’s Up!” to poems by Wendy V and Jody,
Henry Quince, Gywnn, David Anthony.
In General, I love Kevin Andrew Murphy.
Tim Murphy, when he’s not in agony.

I guess the point I want to make is this:
I read here like I’m auditing a class.
I won’t get credit, but I never miss
brawls, news, discussions. The sporadic ass.

Here’s the one I wrote in case you think that I forgot it –
It would have posted in disgrace if I had not been “audit”:


Thanks For All Your Help

You mensas, stay away (!) with your critiques.
Keep your lousy sense of abstract thought.
You say, “I hope I wasn’t too discouraging”…
I don’t think I need tissue, You’re the snot.

Condescending words will not divert me,
from writing—-should I leave that up to YOU?
While some of you are gracious, AND have talent,
some of you write poems that are McNew.

Plain folk like plain speech, and so I write it.
Re: the public – that is most of US.
Doggerel’s a common pet, I grant you,
but one that’s loved, and begs to be discussed.

This is a test to see –if. you.- can laugh
Instead of finding no wheat in the chaff.

[This message has been edited by ChristyElizabeth (edited July 17, 2004).]