Poetry

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A community to celebrate published and OC works of poetry.

Welcome to !poetry

Guidelines & Community Rules

In addition to the general rules of lemmy.world:

Published Poetry

1a: Poetry posts should include the title and the author, when the author is known.

O.C. Poetry

2a: Sharing original poetry is encouraged, but it must be preceded by the tag "[OC]."

2b: If an [OC] post is requesting feedback, it should also follow with the "[FB]" tag. It would look like the following example:
[OC] [FB] Nothing Gold Can Stay

Feedback

All feedback should be given in good faith.

3a: All [FB] requests should be met with comments constructive in nature. It is okay to dislike parts of a poem, but make sure to explain why you feel that way.

3b: Feedback does not need to be extraordinary in nature. Simply expressing how a work makes you feel is often enough.

3c: Use the honor system. When you receive good feedback, return it in kind to another author. Everyone appreciates knowing their work is being read and appreciated.

As this community develops, these guidelines may be adjusted.

Formatting Help
Work in progress

To create a line break, use two spaces at the end of a line.

To create empty space, type  . Use four of these at the beginning of a line to create a standard indent.

UPDATE:
Some methods of access do not format markdown correctly. I am currently testing various apps and web interfaces to see what does and does not retain formatting.

In the interim, it is encouraged to post text poetry as you normally would, but to include a link at the beginning or end of the post with access to a website or image that retains the formatting as intended.

Other Poetry Communities
Poetry lovers unite! In the style of the fediverse, multiple poetry communities have arisen, and will continue to rise. I will try to keep a list here of communities across instances that are worth checking out!

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

Scaldart@lemmy.world

In a castle far from every prince, by Marisca Pichette (slrpnk.net)

submitted 6 months ago by grrgyle@slrpnk.net to c/poetry@lemmy.world

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White dress frosted with lace weeping threads
hem worn from wandering
white marble halls cold as snow
sunsets blood-red, rose-red
& nights raven-black.

I tried growing my hair long
as towers, long as history
long as these empty, empty, halls.

Oils & braiding & fancy shampoos
never worked, left my hair brittle
& only just past my shoulders
years and years on.

I stopped trying to fit that fairy tale.

I thought I'd grow apples & roses
coat fields in flowers & fruit
that I'd bake into pies and press into cider
to warm me each winter next.

But I go tired of farming
my hands chapped & back aching
& when the first grey snuck into my dark brown
— never black, never luscious — hair
I put my seeds away.

One winter I thought I'd sleep
the seasons away, pad my face with mud masks
& stop each wrinkle before it formed
I was too late, of course, the wrinkles began
in my twenties, and continue spreading
like frost.

I don't sleep well at the best f times
rising to wander in moonlight
& snack in the kitchen when the mice
are sleep.

So no — I decided that the story wasn't for me.

I never learned to swim, so the pond
stays isolated. Its merfolk & frogs
unkissed, undanced. Under the willows:
only wind.

I thought finally about reading —
how else can I travel without cramming my feet
into too-tight hoes
meant only for parties?

I filled my pockets with snack & retired to the library
only to find that most of the books
are quite boring, not for me
& the cord for the kindle is terribly shorts
& the chairs not as comfortable as they looked
from afar

So no. I am not fair
or smart
or lovesick
or distressed
or waiting for someone
to tell me who I'll be.

I know:
I dread gardening
I loathe cleaning
I hate socializing.

I know:
I can't swim
can't cook
can't sleep well at all.

I know there are some books I love
but most I don't.
Some night I am light
but most I am heavy.

I know all these things about myself
& in finding out each
I lived.

I tried it all, & I've decided
I like myself best. I like wandering in the night
& letting my tea grow cold.
I like dozing on the couch
& dyeing my hair.
I like myself — a lot —
& I don't mind if I change
& grow old.

Because I know that each year I try
something I likely won't like at all
I'm knowing myself more.

& I'm loving that self
better than all the ones I knew
before.

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