For Those Who Critique

 
Three year's ago
lacking any skill set
I became a member
reading not writing
was more my thing

A lover of expression
I enjoyed turning
ordinary words into
the extraordinary
never knowing most
considered this a talent

Crafting flow
or rhythm truly
puzzled me no I
definitely wasn't
gifted

Anonymity allowed me
the freedom to relax and
explore my writing and
soon my confidence grew

Feeling quite ill after
posting a few deeper
and darker depths I
debated deleting a
friend reassured me
most poet's often felt
this way it wasn't to
long before my fears
eased

After submitting poem's
I quickly discovered
comments, critique and
even some read list's I
flourished in the kinship
and support

How in heaven's does one
go about finding words of
appreciation when no word
in any dictionary or otherwise
remotely describes my well of
gratitude meaningful and
gracious words fall flat

Critique for some a simple
matter of personal opinion
other's like myself it's an
invaluable tool

Quite flummoxed
at how one corrects
what isn't understood

I devoured the massive
amount of poem's,
reading lists, poets,
poetesses, comments,
reading recommendation's
forum's and competition's

In the circling game of
follow it never occurred
to me that slowly I was
learning

Understanding taking
shape steadily becoming
more skilled I was evolving
turning into something more

Your critique, kinship
and steady support will
always be remembered
as a significant guiding
force

I've found a secret place
somewhere a confused
little green worm keeps
watch buried way deep
underground is the place
where I can write and
finally be free to be me

For those who
offer critique
my gratitude is
boundless, for
all that you give

I Thank You
with the
Deepest
Of Respect,

The Squad👣
aka
Survivor