If you want to be read you need to read
If you want to be fed you need to feed
Too many have high expectations of greed
When in the street a friend you meet how them do you greet
Do you tell them your story complete or take a back seat
And entreat them to tell you their story replete
For over a year I have given others a chance
Reading poems, numbers grew at a glance
But in a poetic ball room it takes two to dance
Some have no interest, for others no time
Then expecting others to read your poems would be a crime
Waiting for change from a hundred note when you gave a dime
Yet to those who are reading I'm preaching to the choir
All of you have already proven your desire
It is under others I would like to build a fire
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: April 7th, 2026 02:08
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 246
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, Priya Tomar, Demar Desu - 德马尔·德苏, Tristan Robert Lange, Ellen Marsell, Nature, Durdica Porobija, Aven, DLewis88, Salvia.S, Iam1ItchyLizzard
Offline)
Comments25
Thank you SB. Yes, it does seem preaching to the choir, or to the 'converted', in some places. Though we go on and grow in the faith.
Thanks Orchi I appreciate your read and comment my friend
great message my friend
Thank you so much for reading. It is people like you that make this poem, meaningless, and a bit of a joke in that the people that need to read it never will. Your support is most appreciated.
always welcome
I see give and take here. Simple as that. In beautiful poetic form of course. 🌹 Here here my dear friend.
Thank you very much my friend for your review and support. It is most appreciated.
I always try to read poems .
Nice poem .
Thanks Priya for the read and comment. As I said in the poem, it is people like you that really don’t need the message.
Soren, no one can force anyone to read their stuff, mate. It either clicks or it doesn't. And the only evidence they have read it is if they respond. Further, if they respond with one, two, three word or very generalised answers, there remains no evidence that at they have actually engaged at all. They may well just be 'going through the motions' to demonstrate they are still here - Your Resident Cynic.
Thanks for the read Dave I agree no one can force someone else to read, like or comment on anything and that is all fine but for them to then write, post and expect others to read theirs is a bit arrogant, presumptive and hypocritical. Out of politeness and open mindedness if you are going to post read something as well.
Further support at tail of commentary here, Soren.
Thanks Dave
Bravo *throws roses*
Thank you Demar for the review and kind words
Straight talk with a working man’s grit—no frills, just truth laid out plain.
The message hits clean: give what you want back, or don’t expect the return.
Thanks so much Thomas for the read and understanding it is deeply valued
Soren, this really lands…especially with that ballroom image and the idea of giving before expecting. It’s direct, but it needs to be. There’s truth in that, and you thankfully didn’t soften it. Powerful write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️
Thank you Tristan. I appreciate the read and comment. It just seems a civil thing to do, a courtesy if you would that if a fellow poet reads one of your to do the same for them. Like saying hello and no one responds.
As for me ,I am a talentless social misfit who admires all those great masters of haiku .
I take my hat off to you.
Nice work liked it a lot
Thank you so much for the read and comment my friend
And I hope it becomes a huge bonfire 🔥
Great work
Thank you so much Nafisa for the read and comment of support
glad to read your offerings...gives food for thought
Most welcome
And I hope it becomes a huge bonfire 🔥
Great work
Very true… I believe this applies to most, if not all, things we engage in. Wise message and beautifully worded.
Thanks so much Abdullah for the read and comment of encouragement it is most appreciated
There is a rare and refreshing sincerity in these lines!
Thank you Ellen for the read and support it is deeply appreciated
Agree 100%. I've thought of addressing the issue myself. I read all works as often as I can. Thank you so very much for always reading the work of others. You are to be commended.
I will say that sometimes I do not know how to respond to a poem because i'm unable to grasp the message.
Thank you Katie for your read and I know you are one that reads regularly. I have no problem even with those that read occasionally, I know everyone has a life to live, but those that read never and continually post makes me wonder. When I am left with questions as to what to say to a poem I respond with what ever positive I can find in it.
You know you have my support, Soren. I gave it preemptively in my piece 'New Poet?' here:
https://mypoeticside.com/show-poem-219773
I know Dave you have given me support since I came to this site and I have always appreciated it Dave. You and I have similar ideas about many things from Haikus to this and I don't expect others to read a lot just once in a while would be enough. It is hard for me to imagine someone writing poetry but never reading it.
There's a lot of truth in what you say.
Well Said.
Thank You Kevin for the read and comment it is appreciated
A striking sonnet, metapoetic, about poetic frustrations and an unexpected point in the last line, which is probably humorous hyperbole, not inquisitorial intent. I like the rhymes. They're real. The whole poem is a complete whole.
Thank you Durdica for your kind words of review they are appreciated.
This is so real yet so sad.
This kind of really touched me and I wanted to thank you for sharing and writing this. I can really connect to it and I don't even know why.
(Could I probably use some quotes from it? With credits ofc. Thought about sending it a friend )
Than you Aven for your read and comment. Of course you may. I find that most flattering and thank you for that
This really speaks to the give-and-take in a creative space. I like how you’ve highlighted that reading others is just as important as being read, very true and thoughtfully expressed.
Thanks so much Gurpreet for the review and interpretation it is most appreciated
This is very good fire-starting.
Thank you so much for the read of this piece you like the others above are the choir and I have not yet found a way to get the fire to the wet wood outside
You have an excellent point...I think most people just want to post their poems...there's actually a lot of really good poems here that are probably unread...
Thank you for your read and comment. Yes that is true on many sites and in general and a poem only has value if it is read
that says it all so well...,
Thank you for your read Itchy it is most appreciated
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