Martin - thanks for the poem, and its haiku-like economy.
The closed-off impression is unfortunate, and I think built in to any
list, until one takes the gamble and starts participating. But post a
note on a topic that interests you, and I'll bet you'll find some takers.
Martin Dolan wrote:
> Joe (and Anny)
>
> It seems you have only had limited success in drawing out the
> long-term lurkers like myself. Still, you've managed to draw me out of
> my normal reticence. As a silent subscriber, I read most of the posts,
> although I have been lurking long enough to pay less attention to some
> posters than others (just my tastes and preferences, of course -
> nothing personal).
>
> Other than lack of time (I spend my days indulging in the quaint
> rituals of bureaucracy), I think the greatest constraint to my active
> participation is the closed-off impression that many of the list's
> exchanges convey. And I'm not sure whether I have much to add to what
> can be rather arcane discussions. I imagine myself sipping on Anny's
> cup of tea and just shuffling my feet and clearing my throat. Perhaps
> an inconsequential remark about the weather (still very dry, here).
>
> To take up Anny's invitation: I'm Australian (though Scots by birth),
> located in Canberra. I "do" workers' compensation and workplace health
> and safety. I began writing poetry again (after a long post-university
> silence) ten or eleven years ago. My long-delayed second book should
> be coming out shortly.
>
> Here's one I'm currently playing with:
>
> Scissors, Paper, Rock
>
> i.
>
> Your blades slice my words
> even as I write them;
> the thin strips that are left
> will not rejoin themselves.
>
> ii.
>
> What I have written
> can cover anything:
> a heart beating out time,
> the sullen grey of rock.
>
> iii.
>
> Heft of rock in hand
> and the weight of breaking:
> not even your steel mind
> can resist forever.
>
>
>> I'm trying to think about the nature of this list, what it ought to
>> be, how
>> to make it more useful, etc.
>>
>> There are currently 195 subscribers to Poetryetc. During the month of
>> September, 49 subscribers posted something to the list, but discounting
>> those who posted only once, or who posted merely informational pieces
>> about
>> readings or blog updates, 35 members (by my count) participated in
>> discussion & those discussions were further dominated (in number of
>> posts)
>> by about 20 regular contributors. I think I understand what those 20
>> to 35
>> list members use the list for, but:
>>
>> Here is what I'd like to know: If you are a silent, or near-silent
>> subscriber to the list, what do you use it for? Do you even read the
>> posts?
>> What would draw you toward greater participation? You can post a public
>> response to these questions, of course, but if you'd like to go
>> back-channel, please feel free to drop me an email at [log in to unmask]
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Joseph Duemer
>> Poetryetc Co-manager
>>
>>
>
--
Tad Richards
http://www.opus40.org/tadrichards/
http://opusforty.blogspot.com/
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