I'm a poet but most people don't even know it; although I have a lot of personal pride for my work, I'm too humble to openly show it. Every word that comes from my mind into my poems, I have to flow it; you have given me the opportunity to be accepted into you community and I'm just trying not to blow it. Compared to most of you, I'm an amateur, I'm quite sure; therefore, I have to put a lot more thought into my work so that my skill level may mature. Most of us aspiring poets here on this site may actually be gifted; that's why we shouldn't ever negatively or wrongly criticize other's work but make sure they be uplifted. I realize that, compared to most of you veterans of poetry, I can't write but why try to refute my skill or pick a lyrical fight out of spite; it is a personal opinion whether someone's poetry is good or bad so who's to say if they're wrong or right? I want to feel at home in this online poetic community; to be able to share my work and be open and free, thanks for giving me a fair opportunity. Therefore, I will give respect where respect is due; you all have shown me the excellence of your work so now give me the chance to return the favor back to you. We, fellow poets, here are actually like sisters and brothers; instead of negatively criticizing other's work and pushing them away, we should instead take the time to encourage and embrace each other. It took going through the fire, wind and rain for my gift to be discovered; now I embrace poetry in my heart, like a close and intimate lover making love to it fully without a rubber. If I'm going to write, I write with passion so I encourage all of you to do the same; I don't do this for no glory or fame or even for any of you to remember my name. So, if I fail, I have myself to blame; to uplift the veterans and the newcomers in this game is my main aim. All of my work comes straight from my mind, my hands and from my own eyes; there is no need to disguise others work to plagiarize to make a name for myself and try to rise. Poetry is a gift to me that won't leave me until I'm ashes to ashes and dust to dust; even though most of the time I don't feel like writing, I must so that my level don't deteriorate more and start to rust. I'm already a baby to poetry and my wording is very weak; nevertheless, I like to still put my words down on cyber or paper form so that my words don't sound like a whisper to the world whenever I speak. Take sufficient action to bring the conclusion to any of your work to self-
contentment and satisfaction; never down or short change yourself, not even a fraction. Let yours words flow, as easily as the wind blows; how far into it you may want to go, only you, yourself knows. I can't tell you where or how far to go but but I can only try to show you the way; if poetry is really, truly a gift that's in your heart, it is a gift that never goes away.That's why you have to mold and shape it like clay and be very careful of what you may say; once you share the finality of your work with the world, it's there to stay. Nevertheless, never be afraid to fully express how you feel, as long as it is true and real; sometimes, when you dig deep into your heart, you will find out that your words will have more appeal. Never doubt yourself and your skill or put down others because, when beginners try their best and is negatively criticized, sometimes words can kill; I acknowledge that a lot of you will do what you want and may disregard my advice so that's your perogative and free-will. To each man/woman their own, since most of you are grown; that's why I mostly keep my thoughts to myself and write when I'm all alone. Before I finally end, I want to leave you with this: always cherish any of your work, like your first real kiss and, most of all, every poem that you write, aim to knock it out of the ball park and try not to ever miss!!!