HI Mud
i think this is a great question and one I which to return to when i have more time (eg after school run, actual run etc etc)....in the meantime i look forward to hearing other thoughts on the matter....:)
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It's something of an oasis isn't it. Always, friendly and considerate..........
sometimes falling short on nice and happy!
Dark morning arrives rudely
And I not ready to greet it.
An early rise shapes a selfish space
Soon I belong to everyone.
You sleep on. I always envied that.
In the kitchen a dishevelled cat
Stumbles in circles.
Barely eating now
I wondered if it might have died.
Resentful at its arrival and now its demise
I did not hide that gracefully.
Perhaps today. Perhaps tomorrow
we'll call time.
Somethings need putting out of their misery.
Great stuff OW once again.
Hi Mud, I think this is a really interesting observation and I do follow other threads and find some of them quite bitchy/grumpy so I can see what you are getting out. I wonder if it is something to do with the fact that to post poetry takes time and consideration and is ultimately about sharing something with people as opposed to having a whinge? Also, many people on here are having a go at writing for the first time and that takes courage and trust in that they won't be ridiculed. I think most of us recognise that and respond accordingly in that we are supportive. I think there is a lot of different moods on this thread and certainly grumpiness too at times but it is communicated via poetry rather than sniping. It is definitely a really good place to be. Hester.
I have been pondering...
It is difficult to answer this question conclusively, the only meaningful way I can think of answering is to delineate what i personally find valuable about the thread which i think is this:
it is an area where people feel that they can express a variety of emotions without judgement and ridicule either via writing their own poetry, posting others poetry or just generally musing on life!...so far the atmosphere of thread has been a non judgemental one, people seem keen to understand rather than react, which may be more prevalent on other threads...that said i think it is tempting to polarise a forum which generally has many shades of light and dark. I know that when i first started on the forum I was heartened by the support and generosity displayed to me by "old hands" such as merrylegs, ian darkpeak, southern softie, zoot to name but a few (on the training in the suburbs thread i started) and i am forever indebted to them for being so welcoming...even on the darkest threads in the forum (eg, Question time) some well considered arguments are put forward and attempts at reperation made........so overall i feel that this is a nice community that we have here....
Finally all i can say is that for me personally this thread has given my such joy, an opportunity to create and discuss and to develop what feels like supportive and genuine (albeit cyber!!!!) friendships along the way...
long live the forum, and long live the thread...
i could go on for hours about how great i think it is but gotta dash, nursery pick up!
thanks mud for posing the question
An afterword on my above post in relation to Freckle's very thoughtful musing:
I would agree that on the forum and in the real world, I find the fell running community generally very supportive and filled with interesting people with a remarkable generosity of spirit. After the enjoyment that I get from running in the hills, the community is the second biggest draw to fellrunning for me. I believe that there is an absence of negativity (in terms of whinging etc) on this thread for the reasons I stated above but I would also like to say that I have found a similar atmosphere on many other threads particularly ones related to health, injury and advice for training etc. There are a few threads that are a bit bitchy/grumpy and definitely some controversial views expressed but I really value the fact that we have the space on the forum to have a whinge, to get things off of our chests and to engage in lively debates.