Good morning, all. With Stephen away for a few weeks, I decided I
should check in on the list, which I've not done in some time.
I should, perhaps, use the sign-off Chris uses, alerting people to my
erratic energy. So, for those who did not know of that, now you do.
Also, this past few months have been difficult for me. My mother died.
My next-door neighbor and friend of fourteen years died. And now, a
very dear friend is facing more-or-less imminent death as well. My
participation on the list has never been high, but lately I've not
even been doing the snapshot poems.
I tell you this because I am about to ask you all for a personal
favor: let this list return to a passionate but civil discussion of
poetry and poetics, our own and that of others. Let its history -- and
your personal, cranky histories with one another -- fade away. Keep
the focus on poetry. If you must continue personal conversations, do
it back-channel.
At least for the next few weeks.
I'm reposting this, which Chris offered the list a few days ago:
Adapted by Annie Finch, with thanks, from Jane Raeburn's Maine Pagan
Mailing List guidelines
1. When you reply to a post, consider carefully whether your
posting is of interest to the entire list, or whether it is a
response only to one person.
2. Agreement and support for one another are always welcome.
However, if you are simply saying "yes!" or "me too," without
adding more information to the thread, consider doing so in
private e-mail.
3. If you must criticize another's post, consider doing so in
private e-mail. If the person has made a genuine error, this
allows him or her to save face and apologize for misbehavior or
correct misinformation, rather than having misdeeds pointed out
publicly.
4. It is entirely appropriate to disagree publicly with another's
stated views. Name-calling is inappropriate. Expressions of
disagreement should be confined to criticizing the words or
ideas of another, rather than the person.
5. When expressing disagreement, the following steps are
recommended:
* Express respect for the person and faith in his or her
good intentions.
* Point out any themes or ideas with which you do agree.
* Express your own opinion pleasantly, with respect for
the rights of others to believe differently from you. On
the Internet, strong language does not enhance the
effectiveness of your communication. It simply makes you
look strident and overbearing.
* Offer factual information where possible, backed up with
sources. Quiet statements of fact win respect from those
following your conversation.
* Offer sources of factual information (books, web links,
etc.) that might be of interest to others interested in
the topic.
* Use humor when appropriate (i.e. when it helps lighten
the tone of a discussion without being aimed at other
list members)
6. If a thread or posting on the list makes you angry or sad,
consider not responding at all, or doing so in private e-mail.
If you do decide to respond to something that has pressed your
emotional buttons, do not press Send right after writing your
response. Let it sit in your Out box for 24 hours. Then look at
it again, and consider whether this response is the one that
best enhances your own honor and advances the knowledge of
fellow list members.
I am, of course, not abiding by this final suggestion. But I am
sending this to Stephen, for his approval, before posting.
[Stephen has told me to send this on.]
This list is very important to me, personally, despite my generally
low and always erratic participation. The snapshot tradition has
carried me through many difficult, dry periods. I would like the list
to be such a treasure to you all.
Thank you.
--
sharon brogan
http://sbpoet.com
406.578.1788
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