The Worst of the Worst

Yes... This is such an empowering write, David! It has spunk, at the potential to move!
Excellent spill. We need more of this.

Delanee.

then more you shall have LOL :-)))))))))

to be honest, the poem is quite risky, speaking truth to power may have consequences, we shall see :-)

thank you so much for your visit and complimentary comments :-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Dave, I live in St. Paul Minnesota, where there's many a poet, but no one knew poetry.

Poetry is as big here as it was in Greenwich Village. Once home to several large publishers and famous authors, this small city boasts a long history of literature.  In fact, I live right next private school where F. Scott Fitzgerald attended and I'm just a couple of blocks from his 'Holy Pope of Poetry,' Garrison Keillor.  Now to my point; St. Paul is also home to what I've often referred to as the 'Poetry Mafia.'

You either have to kiss ass to get in, or you're out.

Kissing ass requires you to attend dull poetry readings.  After which you have to stand in a short slow moving line, with an overpriced poetry book in hand, to fawn over the featured Mafia Poet's boring book as they autograph it.  Most important, once the Poetry Mafia becomes aware of your presence, you must be prepared to drop to your knees when asked.  (Shame on me) I could say a lot more but won't.   Better to stop my diatribe now, before I get in trouble with the web mistress.  Regardless, your courageous write struck a chord in me, so I just can't help but rant.

Keep up the good scribble. 👌

there is so much truth and wisdom here. The minute a poet expresses a belief that he or she is better than ever one then all poets should beware and aware the using the block button. blocking someone toxic makes the site a happier place to be, Imagine this site with almost no personal drama: It is possible

Rant away my friend you have wisdom to spill :-))

It's extraordinary (and depressing) how insecure some groups are, needing to defend their patch through mafiosi tactics. Current U.K politics is not a bad example - and expected - but poetry groups, oh dear.
Excellent write by the way.

sadly it is a microcosm of real life all forms of life visit this site including, sexual predators, bullies, liars and gang creator/recruiters, haters for no reason. people intimidated by lies on their character and their group

it was reported to me that certain people were saying things like:

"Don't get involved with him, he's a dickhead"
"He is a narcissist, a nasty piece of work"
" He couldn't critique to save himself"
"His poetry juvenile crap"
"He is a bitter and hateful cripple"
"Never use poetry medics the guy is an asshole"
"You can be his friend and my friend!"
" The legless cowboy"
" suicidal? i wished he'd just do it"

The list is almost endless, vile poems and hate-filled comments are all here. We must all learn, to read between the lines.  report block and delete

thank you for your understanding

When I saw this .. I just wanted to reach through the screen and pound some heads! But, then they are the true cowards,  hiding behind a shield .. David you are just you .. funny, loving, raw, telling it as you see it, learned it, were dealt it, keeping it real, some folks just can't handle it ... keep shining my friend !!  

This is a reflection of who they are. Not who you are. Hugs!

I had no idea such a drama was being played out (under my nose so to speak). Such bullying comments are unacceptable by any account. I would like to say more but am a bit stunned at the moment.

I have seen worse things than that, but don't get me wrong DU is still the best poetry site on the internet IMHO

It seems no matter what you may be part of there is always someone or a group of someones who think they are better than everyone else and deserve no less than a kissing of their ring ... it's such a shame that we don't do more to lift each other up .. especially in self expression,  which can be so hard anyway ... excellent spill David

I couldn't agree more with you bravo :-))))))))))))))))

Oh. You forgot to mention the crew with multiple profiles parading as living parodies whilst assuming multiple identities and spinning a web of lies to catfish innocent people; which has driven many from the site over the past 4 - 5 years !

yup, block voting in the comps to ensure a picked winner, multiple profiles announced and secret. men playing women, women playing men for nefarious purposes, predators protected by anonymity, vile poems protected by not mentioning names, but many of us know who they are about, personas commenting on their other personas, voting for them and boosting their likes and RL adds which break the site's guidelines goes unpunished.

I would vote for a one persona policy applied to everyone, maybe its a forum campaign issue that needs to be talked about

thank you for your wise words :-)))))

I used to think they were alright but I am now totally

“maybe its a forum campaign issue that needs to be talked about...”

Yes, I think it should be discussed openly, and members should be tracked & monitored by their IP address to encourage people to demonstrate some kind of honesty & integrity; by deleting all their additional secondary accounts, before admin taking on that role themselves if the said persons refuse to act upon the request to delete their additional profiles.

I dunno... but something like that needs to occur; and truth be told, it’s why I never engage in the writing comps because it’s a rigged system.

If people are creating multiple profiles to post more content, then that issue also needs to be rectified; say from posting 2 to perhaps 4 in a 12 hour period instead of the current 2 posts within an 8 hour period.

A few writers that were here previously, alerted me to the issues of multiple profiles and catfish behaviour and such in 2015, and they’ve since left.

Sad really, that a cohort of doped up sociopaths out of their mind could ruin a site like this; and even more sad in that nothing is done to address the blatant head fuckery and BS antics that these people deploy !

Sighs.

Anyway, I wish you wish well in addressing these issues because if you don’t; nothing ever changes and we all know that something needs to change.

thank you - a poetry site like any other is a microcosm of the real world sadly :-(

oy vey. i feel like i've missed some major drama somewhere... someone's going to have to dish, spill the tea, show receipts and whetever else the cool kids are calling it these days...
its unfortunately,  just a symptom ov the anonymity afforded by the interwebs. it just breeds the kinda twats conceived thru anal sex... like lawyers, trolls, bike cops & cyber bullies.

I love your response, it really cheered me up, made me smile and laugh, you still have that gift :-)))))))

#warmscottishbearhugs

#ninjakittyhugs
i should say that i have 2 profiles but when i'm using this one,  the other is inactive & vice versa. the folks who are knocking around with 5 active profiles knots my bloody brain

some people have multiple accounts but they don't all use them for nefarious practices, unfortunately, some do :-))))))

The rally call has been sounded! I miss so many beautiful voices who left our chorus because of such behaviors & treatment. Almost left once myself. Guess I'm just too stubborn to quit. I'm here for the long haul!   :-)

Super fierce hugs!!!   :-)

I am blessed that you didn't leave you  are a constant source of loving support and you are a great poet. If you left a little part of my heart would wither and die

so, no pressure LOL,

((((((((((( tight pouncing hugs ))))))))))

:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) <3

Ah hell...the pressure's on now...No worries! I'm of good German stock with a twist of Irish & Scottish thrown in for good measure. Very sturdy & stubborn. You're stuck with me!   :-)

This made me smile.  I appreciate your heart. My personal philosophy is that the sort of people you describe desperately crave attention to bolster insufficient self esteem and that fear is the motivating impulse behind their need to form hateful cabals, judging people they don't know, putting them into comfortable boxes, out of intimidation. It is not others these sorts are intimidated by, but the self, projected outward. Courage is calm. True self love radiates love and doesn't judge. The worst of them are the narcissists. I call this flavor of sociopath the heart blind. It is very noble to stand up to this behavior, but I believe ignoring it is the best path, focusing on people worth interacting with. I look around for people not getting much love on their writes and try to spark interest in their writing with regular reviews for instance. I'm glad you're on the Guardians staff David. It is meet that you should be a voice for those who become disheartened by these sorts. All the Guardians should have your kind of heart. Namaste.

you are so very wise and I truly appreciate your wisdom on this subject,  I had a 19-year career as a senior legal advisor on welfare rights and civil rights I have spent most of my life fighting this scourge and representing the downtrodden and those with no voice - old habits die hard. The problem with being a guardian is two-fold, you are not allowed to block anyone which I agree with, but it is impossible to name and shame the perpetrators. The only avenue open to me is to write poetry about it without mentioning any names. My muse is varied and I don't see why I can't write and follow it  - thank you for the visit and such wonderful comments :-)))))

It's been great reading you. Thank you. :)

A-fucking-men. Have no interest in any politics behind the DUP scene. None of my business, but multi-profiling.....

The whole concept says nothing to me about my life. I have far better, and sadder, things to do with my time than parade as a poetic clown. Then you wait until a person completely destroys your integrity, pride and ancestry, by insisting you are poet X, Y and Z, Although a private issue, feel more can be done to assist my sanity.

In the eyes of my dying parents, I know the truth.

quite a few poets not only have left but have been treated in such a way. The treatment doled out to victims is always pretty subtle attacks in public no names mentioned - not a good legal defence, if you have acquired enough evidence to establish a pattern then cyberbullying can be established and litigation can start

More could be done but we all need to stand up and Complain with evidence, like private messages in any multimedia platform.

People are getting bullied and have been bullied off the site we all need to fight back :-)))))))))

Believe me David. I have a good friend who is a top draw lawyer. One of his partners is an expert on cyber litigation/crime. This whole affair has shaken me to the core. Doubted everything I have stood for. But more than this, so more, thrown daggers at my dying parents. I no drama queen. Far from it. My friends in the 'real' world would hammer me. Lol. Slap me back to sense.
BUT such is my conviction. My total disbelief in humanity. I am prepared to spend £much to prove my innocence

If I can be of any help do not hesitate to ask, many have gone through similar. I hope you persevere and whatever you do "Don't Leave!"

Truly appreciate your kindness. I will not resort to PMs. All of me will appear in public domain. I have absolutely fuck all to hide. I will remove the final dagger plunged deep and let it glisten with my truth. There comes a time. When enough is enough. I no longer prepared to carry the pain of another. I have my own....

Amen - I am in the same process, not taking shit anymore, they will get theirs, very soon

If people feel the need to put down your work, you must be doing something right. Small people try to isolate and ridicule those they con not control, write more speak out, fight

I do try but I feel I am failing. Almost makes me want to write poems only about candy floss and kittens.

Balls to that David write the fight tbh most of this goes over my head I write what’s on my mind and like and comment on what I like leave the bitching to the bitches. Keep fighting the good fight 👍

how did i miss this gem.