Feeding the Monster

http://www.virtualpoetryreading.com
from JoeUser Forums
I post the poem
I wait for comments
I check two minutes later
I promise not to check
for 30 minutes
I lie

I check again
I notice my poem fell
from the top slot

I hate the top slot poet
I think he’s pretentious
I have slipped farther down
the list
I don’t know why
they’re commenting on his dreck
I know he is overcompensating
for his small genitals

I think she’s so untalented
I know she only gets noticed
because her avatar shows cleavage
I notice I dropped even further down
I bet she has one of those “Word-A-Day”
calendars and tries to work it
into each new crappy poem

I count
I’ve dropped to 17th place
I re-read my poem and
I confirm its merit

I’m bored by the “Editor’s Picks”
I wish I was an editor so
I could ban the usual six people
who get picked
I know that won’t happen
I don’t kiss their asses

I know if I revise my work
I can get it back to the
top of the list
I will resubmit the poem with
a note of self-caught correction

I wait
I check

I become discouraged
I am ignored
I log off for the night

I come back the next morning
I see one comment
I note it is supportive but noncommittal

I comment on other poems
I think this will guilt them into
commenting on mine

I miscalculate again

I hate this site
I resolve to find a better poetry website

I hate all the ego games
on this site.


Listen to the poetry at
poetry
4,362 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I love it, because it's a feeling I'm all too familiar with.

Speaking of poetry, I'd love to submit some stuff to Virtual Poetry Reading. And I've now gotten my mic set back up . . .
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Speaking of poetry, I'd love to submit some stuff to Virtual Poetry Reading. And I've now gotten my mic set back up . . .


Thanks for the kind words! Yes, please send me a soundfile! You're on! -- Moskowitz
Start11 - Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11.
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I wish I could get ONE featured article...in all my 3 years I'm pretty sure I haven't. I like to think there was one...but that was probably a dream.

I don't think poetry ever gets featured...such a shame.

~Zoo
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Speaking of the poem, I'm curious as to which site this is that you're discussing. I'm not super familiar with all the poetry forums out there, but this type of behavior is nothing new.

And it basically sucks.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Speaking of the poem, I'm curious as to which site this is that you're discussing. I'm not super familiar with all the poetry forums out there, but this type of behavior is nothing new.


I thought he was talking about this one. Of course this is even worse since poetry isn't the main focus here...in fact, it's not really an afterthought but more of a nagging gnat in the forums. We just keep throwing it out there. Luckily we did get our own subforum in writing.

~Zoo
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually it's a composite of many sites.

This poem is not actually about a poetry site, its more about the ego involved with writing and posting.
I think poetry actually finds its audience, which is why there's so little of it that actually sells.

Most poets appeal to so few readers that each poet is essentially a cottage industry unto itself.
I have a very small following of readers to whom I am grateful.
However, I am not aggressively trying to sell books anymore - I want people to hear / read my poems, hence my free site.

I'll give away my poems for free. If you want a reading, however, that'll cost ya.

Thanks (and send your poem), Moskowitz
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have a very small following of readers to whom I am grateful.


Of which I proudly count myself a member. I check Virtualpoetryreading dot com Every. Single. Day.

Rock on Buddah. You are the coolest.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
I know this so well although I have to say I don't bear anyone ill feelings for gazumping me on the list. This comes from all the years accepting crushing defeat as a musician.

This is goood, none the less.

I have finally got my set up sorted out at home and will be sending you a few recordings in the next week or so.

Thanks for being patient.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

My wife has instructions to publish my poetry after I pass on. That way, I won't have to strangle every wannabe critic who thinks they can make it better by changing the entire damned structure of the poem. I just don't "do" poetry anymore.

The lyrics that I've posted, though, have never generated mre than 3 or 4 responses. I'm just glad I'm not writing for an audience, or I'd stop altogether.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

The lyrics that I've posted, though, have never generated more than 3 or 4 responses

Lyrics and poems are the same.

~Zoo

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I love reading you! I haven't been on your virtual site yet. I'll check it out at some point!
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey I'm reader #3 and proud of it!

You are the super coolest and have a really cool voice. If you haven't went to his poetry site you all should. He has a link at the bottom of his poem.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hey I'm reader #3 and proud of it!

You are the super coolest and have a really cool voice. If you haven't went to his poetry site you all should. He has a link at the bottom of his poem.


Hey, thanks! BTW, I'm sorry I missed your birthday, but I hope it was great!

Best wishes, Moskowitz