I've been part of this list from its inception, working closely with John to
develop it and its links to publishing ventures and activities throughout
the world. It has been, and remains, a place of great diversity, offering
bright and articulate exchange, a place for developing friendships and (most
importantly) extending one's thinking on writing. It has changed my life and
allowed me to enter into debate with poets of all persuasions, from all
parts of the globe, age groups and genders.
The list has relied on common decency (though not without the benefit of
heated exchange, we are after all in the real world), and a shared passion
for all things relating to poetry and poetics. Sometimes the list has gone
off-topic, but by and large these digressions have been fruitful and
entertaining. But we're not here to talk about science, psychology or
engineering, except of course in its direct relation to writing poems.
Surely there's no need to even articulate this?
The list is sometimes forthright and challenging; but never threatening,
gratuitous or prejudiced; and suggesting that poets here are behaving in
this manner seems misjudged and, to be honest, quite offensive.
Poetryetc welcomes women and offers a place for women to speak safely as
equals with men on the list. Gender issues in poetry and poetics remains an
important part of the list's mission. This surely doesn't need regulating?
So I do not want to be part of a list that relies on rules or explicit codes
of practice. In fact I don't want rules at all really. Perhaps it's all down
to finding one's way here in this sometimes bewildering territory of names
and voices from around the world. If so, new members should just take their
time to enjoy the space without feeling the need to impose legislation! It's
often better to listen hard, more than talk hard.
I personally (calmly) resent that I should have to apply to be here, or sign
up to a code of practice to engage in any form of exchange with women on
this list (many of whom I already work with), and I would personally regard
this as degrading for any woman who has already chosen to be here actively,
positively, contributing to the list.
I fully respect that some people feel more comfortable in a world governed
by rules, but the list has survived without such systems and has flourished
because of it. There have been rare (very rare) exceptions when someone has
caused extreme offence, and action has been taken. We all work (as one would
expect) to avoid such situations.
Perhaps one ought to consider how the poets here have already negotiated
their own space and developed their courteous and positive membership of the
list without recourse to such things as application forms and codes of
practice. It will be a sad day if we were to resort to the use of such forms
of control, merely to share our passions with other human beings. This is a
valuable and open space: so let's not ruin it.
Best
Chris
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