Friends and fellow poets:

I have been the victim of a lot of flame-attacks hereabouts of late; why? I can't understand it. I just deleted one of the more vicious ones, which postured as a reply to my T. S. #600. I was well within my rights as a global moderator and as Poet in Residence in deleting it, as the flamer actually claimed authorship of my sonnet, quoting it mockingly in its entirety as his or her own #6000 (or was it #60000? There was no comma, only zeroes), and making merry with my name and specificities with uttermost contempt.

Just what a person who suffers from crippling depression needs, don't you think? Why, that'll snap me right out of it! What perfectly r-r-r-ripping fun to execrate someone who is trying to save his life by being useful! Really clever!

Failing to understand all this, I am attempting to deal with it by humor. Hence, the following:

Transcendental Sonnet #601:
Aim and Flame

I must have become an authority figure
When I wasn't looking I must have grown bigger
Such that I've become a target drawing the fire
Of unhappy cyber-strangers drawing the ire
Of various bored malevolent passersby

Who surfing seas of cyberspace happen by my
Sonnets here where I am Poet in Residence
Strange strangers who savage me leaving my defense
To such people of goodwill as do not hate me

I observe these interlopers don't debate me
No dialogue but monologue by hit-and-run
I fail to understand why this is such great fun
For those who aim and flame attack but to retreat
Then scream about their liberties should I delete

*~ ( + ) ~*

+Steven Curtis Lance

from Transcendental Sonnets and Other Observations, Copyright MMIV Silke LLC

(I would ask readers to check out my new book at the links below, but the flamers always have a field-day with that, so I won't. Oops! I just did!)

How funny! i like this one..leaving me thinking of IT only as a tiny speck surfing seas of cyberspace..could it be the same person under different name??
good sonnet!! diona

I'm sorry you've had to deal with flames, Steven. It's an unfortunate part of the internet, everything being exposed to any given comment, and it's even more unfortunate that people are immature enough to post such comments. It would be nice if everyone were to be considerate, but.....*shrugs*....I guess the world just doesn't work that way.

~Best~
Megan

Geez, I cant believe someone did that to you, I am sorry you had to put up woth such nonsense. Look, you made a great sonnet out of the experience. You have to know your sonnets are good when someone tries to steal what you have written!

Hang in there!

Love,
Dara