Hello fellow poets,
I wanted to take a minute and really express some heavy gratitude that I wasn’t sure how to say until tonight.
First, I want to say thank-you to Brian Miller at dVersePoets for inviting me to co-host tonight’s prompt. For me, it was a once in a life-time opportunity. It means more to me than words can even express which is pretty big, I usually have a lot to say. It made me feel like I was a part of something that I have come to look forward to multiple times a week.
As an adult on the Autism Spectrum, I often struggle in social situations for many reasons and I often find I feel left out because I don’t know how to respond or because I have inadvertently misunderstood the message itself.
Last May, when I wrote my Ivory at Midnight, and was encouraged to share it, I was nervous. I thought – what if they hate it? What if they say – “You call that poetry?” I was more than comforted by the welcome I received and soon learned I had found a gold mine of writers who write with a passion I never thought was possible at times.
It might sound goofy or dramatic to say that DversePoets changed my life – but it actually did. I actually haven’t read a book in awhile because I constantly have catching up to do with all of your amazing pieces.
During Open Link Night, I often curl up in my reading chair and read them aloud. I try to read all of them if I can, because I’m literally worried that I’m missing out on something spectacular. Some of the pieces I have read have literally blown my mind to the point where I have to stop, pause, and read it again. Sometimes I don’t comment because I’m literally speechless but I do my best.
I want to make it known that you all have such a special place in my heart. During my cancer scare last year, these prompts were part of what kept me going. The prompts and talent have challenged me to be a better writer and also a better friend. I couldn’t ask for a better group of poets to be a part of. Stay amazing- keep on – stay just as you are.
Thank-you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Leary
Gretchen Leary (McIntire) 
you make me smile really big…
i will be honest there are days i wonder why we do it…and specifically why i do it…because at times it can be so frustrating…part of whih is weight i put on myself as well…just a few weeks back i had a really heavy time and well..
all that to say…this is exactly the reason i do…and i hope we do…and why we keep going…
thanks for the smile…
great job tonight.
You are a special blessing and a very gifted writer I always look forward to reading you work. You have a very unique voice that always inspires me. Thank you for being here.
You are incredibly talented Henry. I also look for your name as well. Thank-you.
You are a very talented writer. Keep on writing and sharing. By the way, I have a secret – I have the fears you have and I felt that I was such a pretender to participate in the pub. But I was glad I did because I learned so much from everyone and the folks are amazingly nice and supportive. I am glad to know you and your work. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your words Gretchen, you have an incredible talent and it would be a shame if you had decided not to share it. I just recently discovered dVerse Poets but I can already say that Im very impressed with the poetry I have read so far. I wasn’t able to get through every poem from the last Open Link Night but I am trying to do that this weekend!
OLN can be a bit overwhelming in terms of volume but its so much fun and I learn a lot from everyone 🙂
Is it not possible to “like” posts that are on blog spot? I know you can comment but I never see any other way to let them know you were there and read it.
Oh yes same here!
wow gretchen..thanks for this..like bri mentions in his comment above…there are times you get weary but then, statements like this make me remember again why we’re doing this…so…thank you…
Hi Gretchen – I’m another person who actively looks for your name – although I have signed up to follow your blog now, which does mean that I never miss any of your posts 🙂 When I first entered the dVerse pub I felt like a total fraud even thinking that I might have written a poem – let a,one that I might be/become a poet. But with the encouragement and acceptance I found there, and the prompts and challenges to improve my writing, I find that that word poet sits more cofrotably on my shoulders. Hey – they even asked me to join dTeam!! Your post here reminds me why I scarcely hesitated before saying yes to the invitation!
Hi Tony! I’m glad you said yes. 🙂
Maybe one day it’ll improve my typing too 😉
🙂 heh
Wow, Gretchen, remember when you were discouraged last week? And now the a-MAZ-ing Brian asked you to co=host.
Hon, I did not know about your cancer scare. So much in one young life. Your way of relating Asperger’s touches me because it keeps me on track with Riley and hers. Like I said, sometimes I feel like your “Aspie Auntie,” Manic depression is mine, and we both own our conditions and our lives.
I have never been able to real all the Open Link Night poems. Brian works fulltime and seems to be EVERYWHERE. How does he do it?
Finally = I love your work. Keep ’em coming, as I try to write to your prompt about songs. Problem is, I have so many faves… Love, Amy
What about Riley’s favorite song? 🙂
Well, I did one on my fave performer, Barbra Streisand, and you were the first to comment! Riley’s favorite song is different every day. Sometimes she’s into instrumental, mellow but recent music; other times, she’s the B52s and “Love Shack,” so it’s really a matter of a phone call! Oh, she also loves Gene Krupa’s “Sing, Sing, Sing,” because she’s a drummer, too…
🙂
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Such a lovely message Gretchen ~ I too have learned the value and importance of community – then and now ~ Thank you for sharing your lovely work with us, week after week ~
Thank you, Gretchen…so glad you’re a part of dVerse. I’ve had some very insecure feelings (especially when I first started writing) and have only had positive and supportive feedback from this wonderful group of talented writers. I’ve felt very accepted.
Gayle ~
Hi Gayle, so glad to have met you 🙂