The poets I ignore can worry me;
I feel I could do with more empathy.
Then ‘Why should I care?’ the dominant thought,
For they never give me the time of day;
Probably best we both do it our way.
***
It just doesn’t stop me having some guilt -
This the way creativity is built?
All this soul searching, I’ll give it away,
Why must I put myself under so much strain
When contributions here do keep me sane?
-
Author:
Doggerel Dave (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 13th, 2026 22:36
- Comment from author about the poem: I’d probably only be rude or disputatious anyway… ☺️
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 30
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, Syd, Demar Desu
Offline)
Comments13
If there's one thing I've learned over the years posting poetry on different sites, it's that transactional engagement just drives you insane! Great write!
Thanks for that Alex. Doesn't for me; quite the contrary. Each contribution presents a new view, a new answer...
How come my NS comments keep you sane? I thought it would be the opposite? lol.
You are definitely the exception which proves the rule. You provide an exceptionally useful function in the swirling mismatch which constitutes the dearest of websites present on the World Wide Web ....I've got piles of more BS here if you want it.......
I too Dave do it for therapy and yes many don't read, don't respond and seem not to care. I feel you on that point and agree that it is the minority here that make it all worth while and hold what little sanity I have in place. A write I can identify with my friend. You may say quite a few read mine but not in comparison to all those I read.
Yes - thanks Soren. I do wonder why you do it sometimes...
Selfishness Dave it is my therapy
Reminds me of the Pope and Michelangelo! When will it be finished? When it is done. When will it be done? When it is finished!
You have me there in general historical detail, Rik. However, the Sistine Chapel, buckling under the weight of other tourists and management's attempts at crowd control, was one of the worst experiences in my limited travels.
There’s a quiet honesty here—like you’re wrestling your own reflection and refusing to look away.
That tension between guilt and independence feels real, like creativity scraping itself raw just to stay alive.
You certainly know how to provide a tribute, Thomas: many thanks.
Dave, this really struck me. I think many of us who spend time in poetry communities have wrestled with these thoughts at one point or another. Honest, relatable, and refreshingly self-aware, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
I just keep on truckin' now, Tristan and I feel it is the same for you, only very much more so...
I don't get this .. maybe .. well sometimes, perhaps .. Neville
Just a mixed bag of feelings about what I do when I'm here sometimes and why. Anyway six other folks seem to have some notion.... though not where you are coming from?
Some feel they must be read, but they don't feel you must be read, which can be bloody irritating.
Some say they're up for critique but block you when you give them some.
All in all, you take something from every poet and write a poem.
That's about all I can do... except those I know from past performance...
Quite a relatable write Dave. I know the feeling.
- Syd 🍄
I do live a fairly (but by no means completely) solitary life out of choice so my presence here gives me the chance to bounce off (some) other\'s ideas.
Cheers, Syd.
Hit the nail on the head here- so let each one have their say in their unique way 😋🤔
I think, in the end, that's all I can do...
Amen to that😁✌️👍
Back in 2010 when I first began on this site it had a much smaller user base and I used to try to be kind to everyone and read and comment on their posts for the day. But there were so few users, it was dreadfully dull. I finally left the site for more active ones. It's up to you if you want to leave comments on everyone's work. I've lost my appetite for that and don't feel guilty. But that's me.
Beautifully rendered with excellent imagery and a haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
You are back on form though, Missy and that is good to see.
Masterpiece
To Demar Desu (immediately above):
Thanks for your slightly overheated endorsement. I unblocked you because I don't hold grudges forever, and hoped that you may have matured slightly after our previous encounter. However, little change is apparent here.
You chose to keep me blocked while encroaching on my space (no reply button available) which casts me as rude for 'ignoring' you.
It seems that a recalcitrant such as you will never improve.
A further block is indicated.
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