Poetic Bloomings... glad I found you.

I was recommended a new site recently. You probably noticed from some of the poems on this page. They do prompts on Sundays and Wednesday, which are a lot of fun and really good practice. I have seen lots of websites for poets, some have been really dreadful. Even I, amateurish and unlearned that I am, cringe at some of the offerings. I know that sounds like I think 'I'm all that' but if you have looked you must know what I'm talking about. I know, from personal experience, that stringing words together in a perfection of form is not what makes a poem. It is the difference between a kazoo band and an orchestra. They call poetry a craft for a reason.

Anyway, I strayed from my intention. I wanted to say that at Poetic Bloomings not only did I find people who are talented, able poets and poets that I hope to learn from, but they are incredibly kind, helpful and encouraging to each other. The first prompt I attempted -not bad- but certainly not the caliber typically found on the site was met with positive, friendly responses, though just pats on the back is not all (smile) I want. I hope to be perceptive enough to read their poetry and discern technique and heart and thereby improve my own renderings.

I am quite fortunate to meet with a mentor once a week. He is a published author of poetry and flash fiction. He is passionate and practical about writing and an excellent teacher having taught for more than 30 years before retiring with his wife, Sharon, to WV. You can find an interview with him here: Salvatore Buttaci... 
http://poeticbloomings.com/2011/08/17/web-wednesday-salvatore-buttaci/

Sometimes, I feel my writing is nothing more than an exercise in vanity.  Other times, I feel it is worthwhile if for no other reason than it meets a need in me, a creative need. If it should touch someone else's life at the same place as mine then I guess that would be ideal.