After dropping poetry online for nearly a quarter-century, I agree with 1.032... definitely an activity in which only a minority of folks embrace. Still, I do agree that Substack is well-suited for a such works, so at least there is that.
I always enjoy your poetry - it resonates with the “me” of those times too. I will always welcome your poetry from the past or whatever you write currently!!
I see your disclaimer now. This is something that adults already understand - to read whatever we read with the knowledge that NO ONE turns out to be an expert, including the “experts”, themselves. The only expert is our own knowledge, understanding, discernment and experience of and for ourselves. I don’t need social media telling me what to believe and not believe on Substack and forcing authentic publishers to put a disclaimer on everything they write. That’s why I came to Substack; for perspectives and real articles - and get away from social media and recently Substack is recreating the same platform.
I hear you about disclaimers, Ki, and agree with your astute take. Unfortunately (and thanks to the hyper-litigious culture in which we live), 'Disclaimers' are practically required these days for a writer to protect themselves, especially if they discuss anything even remotely controversial. I don't like it either, but it is now the way of the world.
Thanks you for the very kind words on the poetry as well - appreciate them muchly :-)
Poets understand the depth of those words, I understand them now, as I have many times in my life.
I hate that this will be the last poem you post, Stone, but I also relate when change comes upon us we must react. I too started my second publication because sometimes there's pain, or remorse not to move in a different direction with a whole new perspective. I've been out of commission for a month and was forced to take a mental and physical break, but I will be back writing very soon. May this new year bring you much joy, satisfaction, and good health. And, I will look forward to the new you! ~M
Very astute and gracious thoughts, Monica - thank you! <3
And yeah, Substack has many wonderful things about it, but it does have a restrictive vibe when it comes to what content one can post whilst being successful. I mean, one CAN post anything they want, of course, but traffic seems to be most engaging on 'niche' sites; as such... well, the whole 'When in Rome' analogy ;-)
We'll see how the coming months unfold, but for now I feel like I almost HAVE to funnel this into a niche if I want it to be successful.
I love your poem. I haven't read your previous poem posts but look forward to discovering them. You have a gift for conveying deep emotions in few words.
Thanks so much, Gail, I am glad you do! And when you get a hankering and want to explore further, I have a special tab set aside for my poetic drops...
Good stuff Stone. I’ve been posting poetry with audio on my newly named stack Youngblood Elixir. I know there are many authors to read on here but check it out when you get a chance. As far as the comment earlier about poetry I think this is a good platform to post but it doesn’t get much traction. However, poetry demonstrates the versatility of writers, and challenges them to get something out in a creative way that touches readers differently. Both author and reader are affected at a deeper level.
Substack is the ideal platform for poetry, it just doesn't gain a lot of views.
I wonder if that's more because it's a community of writers, rather than readers, or that reading poetry is a definite minority activity
After dropping poetry online for nearly a quarter-century, I agree with 1.032... definitely an activity in which only a minority of folks embrace. Still, I do agree that Substack is well-suited for a such works, so at least there is that.
These days, very minority activity.
I always enjoy your poetry - it resonates with the “me” of those times too. I will always welcome your poetry from the past or whatever you write currently!!
I see your disclaimer now. This is something that adults already understand - to read whatever we read with the knowledge that NO ONE turns out to be an expert, including the “experts”, themselves. The only expert is our own knowledge, understanding, discernment and experience of and for ourselves. I don’t need social media telling me what to believe and not believe on Substack and forcing authentic publishers to put a disclaimer on everything they write. That’s why I came to Substack; for perspectives and real articles - and get away from social media and recently Substack is recreating the same platform.
I hear you about disclaimers, Ki, and agree with your astute take. Unfortunately (and thanks to the hyper-litigious culture in which we live), 'Disclaimers' are practically required these days for a writer to protect themselves, especially if they discuss anything even remotely controversial. I don't like it either, but it is now the way of the world.
Thanks you for the very kind words on the poetry as well - appreciate them muchly :-)
Excellent work, Stone, and boy do I not say that often about others' poetry
Very gracious of you, John - thank you. As a person who is lean with my compliments of poetry as well, your words here are very much appreciated.
PEACE IN OUR TIME
I’ve been heartless yet again
poor you: victimsed
you have seen through my deceit
tho artfully disguised
the jury’s hung
the quitting bell has rung
cruel curses flung
merciless tongues
our wells gone dry
the hills too steep to climb
it’s out of reach
peace in our time
some battles have been won but the war is lost
some provinces regained but at what cost?
the prize I kept my eyes on has no value now
paint my coffin baby blue
fill it with damp sand
i really did my best for you
supply outstripped demand
my mouth is full of ashes
I can’t win
and crimson gashes stripe my skin
the fix was in
my head’s begun to spin
lost paradigm: peace in our time
some battles have been won but the war is lost
some provinces regained but at what cost
the prize I kept my eyes on has no value now
i gave you all i had to give
you demanded more
what we’ve lost is lost for good
nothing can restore this ravaged land
too many fires fanned
I’ll lay my hand on yours no more
our love’s a farce, a desperate pantomime
we can’t regain peace in our time
some battles have been won but the war is lost
some provinces regained but at what cost
the prize I kept my eyes on has no value now
[This is a song. If you provide an email address, I can send you the sung version.]
Poets understand the depth of those words, I understand them now, as I have many times in my life.
I hate that this will be the last poem you post, Stone, but I also relate when change comes upon us we must react. I too started my second publication because sometimes there's pain, or remorse not to move in a different direction with a whole new perspective. I've been out of commission for a month and was forced to take a mental and physical break, but I will be back writing very soon. May this new year bring you much joy, satisfaction, and good health. And, I will look forward to the new you! ~M
Very astute and gracious thoughts, Monica - thank you! <3
And yeah, Substack has many wonderful things about it, but it does have a restrictive vibe when it comes to what content one can post whilst being successful. I mean, one CAN post anything they want, of course, but traffic seems to be most engaging on 'niche' sites; as such... well, the whole 'When in Rome' analogy ;-)
We'll see how the coming months unfold, but for now I feel like I almost HAVE to funnel this into a niche if I want it to be successful.
A lovely and soul searching poem! You go deep….i think poetry encourages it, makes the reader feel it, the unwritten thought “screams” !
“The moving finger writes, and having writ moves on …”
Very beautifully put, Annette, your thoughts on poetry. I could not agree more... <3
And thank you, for the kind words as well...
I love your poem. I haven't read your previous poem posts but look forward to discovering them. You have a gift for conveying deep emotions in few words.
Thanks so much, Gail, I am glad you do! And when you get a hankering and want to explore further, I have a special tab set aside for my poetic drops...
https://stonebryson.substack.com/s/poeticgestures
Good stuff Stone. I’ve been posting poetry with audio on my newly named stack Youngblood Elixir. I know there are many authors to read on here but check it out when you get a chance. As far as the comment earlier about poetry I think this is a good platform to post but it doesn’t get much traction. However, poetry demonstrates the versatility of writers, and challenges them to get something out in a creative way that touches readers differently. Both author and reader are affected at a deeper level.