Plot Twist~

You always have known what poetry is all about Tara and you always will. Friendships blossom and sometimes fade, too. I put it down to having given/received the influence the Universe tells us we need from a certain friendship then maybe it cools. On the other hand some folk are genuinely non-genuine! (If yer knows what I mean?)  ;-)
Another insightful piece from your poetic pen. :-)

On a poetry site- poetry should be the only focus and for the life of me I can't figure out why it's an afterthought. As for friendships over the internet, well some serve better than family members and the others- um...(reference poem's context). ;) Thanks funnyman...

Shit ur speaking to the choir my beautiful one, I've noticed many times how those 'friends' suddenly
aren't for one reason or another n I'm ever on that journey for poetic
authenticity... I love ur verbage my dear :)

Amen! Amen! Rich, the term friendship has lost its true definition by so very many people. The internet allows you to be anything you want to be, but your actions through verbs expose you, revealing your true identity through poetry. Appreciateya!

That's deep.

I’ve went deeper, much deeper! Thank you 3Plus. Appreciateya!

…true Taryn. The sad part is, it’s hard to define that line that separate life from make-believe. But I thought in poetry, people usually are real because your poetry is an extension of you. I’m of the belief that when you forge a connection, develop a rapport and earn respect with someone; you don’t expect for them to suddenly treat you like a stranger. Thankya!

"yet I still lick lavender scented lines to savor
what poetry is truly all about. " [then drops
mic and struts off stage***]

ha! straight luvin this!!!!

lol… Thank you so very much Naajir! I wonder if I dropped the mic and strutted off stage because no one was left in the audience. o_O… Thankya!

dam, i feel that, too much real shit going on to let it bother you...

…that’s the point Dean, too much shit in this world to be cruel, insensitive, and distant to people who support you, your craft and considered you a friend, lyrically.  
I value my friendships/relationships to a degree that may be reckless at times. (causing my pen to ache) Even at my age, I’m still learning who to trust. Appreciateya!

when I think of strength in poetry & the fairer sex...you come first to mind...I love how you tell it like it is...with grace.-SS

Oh T, thank you for that! You are too kind! My strength has been tested time and time again over the years in ways many would crumble from, but friendship and loyalty has never been my weakness, no matter the arena, forum or platform. Thankya!

the radiance of your strength warms & shines on many...& i for one thank you:)

Tight Spin & Flip....well crafted....ONE

Thank you 2b! Nice seeing you visit my area code.....

Oh Sexy Rain.......I felt a soul enter mine......didn't realize it was you......you've written just what I've been feeling for a while.......tears are in my eyes to think such a precious soul as you would feel like this or be treated so.......heart tugging words I feel within me......standing beside you always......RL for me.....purple luv & hugs xo :)

Oh luv, didn't mean to make you cry. Not sure if my pen is emotional or just now deciding to wake up to reality. I blame myself for being guileless to others, knowing full well some people are counterfeit, pretenders, more-so over the internet. Thanks sweety!

This is why I'm so wary of people in forums or on the internet in general. It does allow you to be anyone you want, and with a world full of sociopaths & narcissists (just to name two), you can get sucked in and mind-fucked before you've even blinked an eye. I cannot tell you how many people I've known that ended up victims.  I make it a personal rule to never get personally involved with the anyone unless I recognize them as a kindred spirit or soul family.  

My Myers Briggs personality says I have an obstacle course up for anyone who wants to get to know me intimately, and only a very small percentage will beat it. It filters out the bullshit REAL quick.  Perhaps you should do that too, Rain.  

As for poetry, and keeping it real, you're doing that, i.e. - this piece right here.  

Keep doing it. Only REAL lasts. And I can guarantee you'll be the one left standing.

Thank you Ahavati for sharing your lovely perception and views on this matter. Once you befriend a poet, follow them, get to know them, develop a level of admiration for them, concerned about them when their poetry tells of pain and heartbreak in their real life, or when they disappear from the site for a long periods of time,(knowing they're a daily contributor), then you have already became 'personal' with them, and I believe the kindred spirit is moot at this point, or doesn't apply. (in my opinion)    
I smiled at your obstacle course, and the way you filter people in your life. :)  I'm not wired that way, I'm too free spirited to be heedful with everyone I come in contact with. *pros and cons to everything, huh?*I don't have rules or guidelines but perhaps your advice may cause me to rethink. Mighty fine outlook Ahavati, and I sincerely thank you.

I understand completely and you are right. I feel the same way about certain poets here that I know have health issues. So, when they disappear it concerns me too. Nothing is worse than someone just disappearing and never hearing from them again. You always wonder what happened, and wish for (or create as I do) an opportunity to reach out to their family and let them know how special they were.

"Personal" was the wrong word to choose. I should've said 'intimate'. I am personally close to several poets here without being intimately acquainted, e.g. - messaging, emailing, etc. The only people I become intimate with are those whom I recognize undoubtedly as a kindred soul tribe member.

The obstacle course isn't self-implemented, trust me. I thought I was just untrusting and paranoid until I took that test, then I realized it was simply how my personality type was wired. It really is an enlightened way to better understand yourself. Or, it was for me. Especially in realizing I wasn't alone in how I felt, and there was an entire tribe out there on the planet.

We each find our own way in time, don't we? Sometimes it just takes a lifetime.

I can count on one hand, well maybe 6 fingers, the number of poets I often communicate with in my inbox. My DU inner-circle is small, and growing smaller by the day. The bigger picture for me is on the poet's pages witnessing them grow in their craft and being there as it unfolds. That's the support and motivation we all need and want. Oh and I've taken that test too... :) Thank you for your astute response Ahavati.....

How very true Rain. It is so hard to know who is realm and if those we think we know in the realm of poetry are at all who they portray. I think some befriend me only to accumulate comments, who rarely reciprocate, and even then with hollow words. But there are some we come to love and trust our muse to share the beatings in our hearts and the truth in our souls. To me you are one of the few who I call a dear friend, who I genuinely care for. So while many come and go around us, I feel we will orbit each other here in deep space, like twin stars forever circling a gravitational point that holds us here like fiery arms wrapped around us in embrace... we are poetry!  
JJ

Oh man! You so get this ink, and me! I endorse your comment with my signature in bold print.
"But there are some we come to love and trust our muse to share the beatings in our hearts and the truth in our souls." <--- To me, when you find poets who respect your craft in a way that it forces you to polish your skills, those are the writers I want in my poetic-circle, not those who claim to admire your work but don't really like you.
"To me you are one of the few who I call a dear friend, who I genuinely care for."<-- Ditto! xo

not much to say after miss vati's very eloquent response... much more so than my "why's it illegal to shank a bitch" or "my booty doesn't like nicotine - stop blowing smoke up it" train of thought....
but i hear ya rainy lady. we all have so much reality to deal with that a period of excision is more than necessary from time to time
love your honesty here
xoxox

We should be able to come here and not deal with real life for just a moment. The extra bullshit, the stress and burdens of life awaits us when we log off, and I thought I could have a sense of poetic peace with my peers.

*If only I could master the art of 'not giving two fucks', I'd be a happier woman.* ;) Thank you beautiful!