in essence and in purpose, She is beautiful.

[inflames]

• in essence and in purpose, She is beautiful.
  
  She's an excellent matchmaker:
  
  • setting us up through screens.
    knowing exactly what we want before we know it,
    and pushing us in the direction of it before
    we can even count the spaces between the seconds.
  i'm not a fool and i know it won't last forever.
  
  for a long time now people have scampered through Her pages
  and dropped off the book when they find what She knew they were
  looking for.
  
  they leave a little piece of themselves behind
  and despite their absence, i can still name them all:
  
  • amy, greg, heidi, rob,
    penny, max, e., sonne, nick,
    amanda, courtney, jay, sophia,
    harriet, ahuva, merin,
    april, kristina, sarah
  • - to just scratch the surface
  of those who took a little bit of me-
  and left a little bit of them- when they
  picked up their courage and ventured
  out of Her pages.
  
  • She's an excellent matchmaker,
    and although there's miles of pages between
    me and them, they'll always be a part of me
    
    and i'm ever hopeful i'll one day join them.

A/N: To all those who have been here, gained what they needed, and moved on. I would never advocate leaving TPS (I love it too dearly), but I do believe She serves a purpose... some of which is to help people fully embrace their "real life". Take this as you will (but please keep posting your poetry!).

[ladylilith]

A beautiful sentiment. Truly. I feel like I'll never be ready to let Her go. It's kinda sad to be 'left behind' though (even though the company here is next to none!) But it's kinda special that each of us would have a unique kist of names, like a poetic statue of remembrance. This really struck a chord with me, and I think it goes without saying who I was thinking of throughout the whole of the read. I wonder if She forces people out who are ready to go..

I'll stop waffling! But it's a really moving write.

Love and hugs.

Xxx

[Sasha]

I'm not ready to let go either... just not yet.
That's indeed, beautiful, Flamey! this piece has this bit where we all can relate to, and echo your words. It's overwhelming, you know, in a good way, there's something magical about 'her', and just magical.
Love this bit a lot, it's wonderful, and touching, and wonderful!

Sash

[everhopeful]

Can you guess my favourite part? lol
I didn't expect you to take my nagging to heart, and not only write something but pick such a poignant theme for those of us who've been here a while and developed friendships which mean so much, even in absence. This is a really wonderful tribute to TPS and the people who helped to make it so much more than a website to you personally; I guess everyone could put different names in the appropriate section, but the sentiment would remain the same. I know I've taken a lot from this place and the people, and indeed you personally, into my life on the other side of the screen, so this really touches me deeply. It makes me feel like I'm lucky to be part of such a brilliant community.
You rock!
P.S. Since I'm in a demanding mood, any chance of an audio version of this? :)

[Dew]

How wonderful....often I wonder where people go and get off to when they leave the sanctuary...as if they journeyed here and left 'there' wherever it was. I have to remind myself they never left wherever they are...they just peeked in from their RL...but no matter how hard I try to see it pragmatically...I can't help feeling like this is another land, an other place that we return to RL from, changed. It's not facebook or twitter or myspace or a match.com or other kind of forum...its not even an average poetry forum...it really is a sanctuary...so appropriately named. I don't know when i'll be ready to leave the nest, but I find it cozy here...even when it gets quiet and I feel a little bored now and then, it picks up and posts like this one remind me why I persist...I loved your take on the 'purpose' of TPS. To give people what they need in their time of it, and send them back into their lives new and ready. Beautiful. Just beautiful. - dew

[inflames]

Thank you, all. :) I'm glad you share similar feelings about this site. She's a beautiful thing.

[Psyteth]

That was wonderful. I've been part of a couple forums over the years. And this one has a trait that always stood out where you can tell a lot of people feel connected to one another and I can't help but feel welcomed all the time..

I think this is the only poetry forum I even feel comfortable in. I know I'm not the most active but I always browser in the background. I wish I could say I got to know people here personally but I'm as bad as getting to know people online as I can be in real life at times. But I am honest when I say I appreciate everything this place has done for me and all the wonderful people that I've come across. I'm not sure I would have written as much as I have if I didn't have an outlet to share with people that love poetry as much as me.

Even when Jay passed a part of me actually mourn for him even though we never knew each other or really spoke.. but just as I follow your poetry I followed his as well and both have inspired me from time to time and I've always enjoyed what I've read whether it be a poem or a response to my own.

As someone stated this truly is a sanctuary and I hope I can get to know people better in time.

[SweetSophie]

Flamey!!!! Was that my name I read? LOL. You've captured the heart of TPS. She takes us in, mothers and coddles, empowering us to be able to go on without her. Even though we leave, we can't help but stop by once in awhile, to vent, read, and grow. I have missed you dearly. So glad to read you again.

Love,
Sophie

[inflames]

Thank you! :) I always appreciate the comments - and Sophie, it's nice to see you online!

[dwells]

The title says it all, something akin to the truth we all seek, cheers!

[flux]

This sparks my imagination. That's one thing I love about this place, one voice inspires others, where else can a poet find that? Beautiful title and the poem's contents inspire.

[rupertpupkin]

Hi, very honest sentiments expressed here. I felt it captured perfectly how most of us feel about our TPS expierience. An inspired piece of writing and a lovely compliment to the poets mentioned and to all of us who share this space and time. Nice one, Sean.

[inflames]

Thank you, all. :)

[matches]

Hey inflames,


I have just read your work.
I found it a delight and a joy to read.
Excellent work here, excellent work and more.


until...

[JuniorRobin]

Hi Flamey,

Sadly (and predictably) I have nothing particularly clever to say but I really love this piece, though it does make me wistful for (my own) tps golden era. As you know, I'd never really thought about it in this way but you're so right. It's both good and bad, mostly good but tinged with sadness, things won't be the same and I know it.

To (sort of) quote a better man than me "consider me one honoured Southerner" and the feeling is very much mutual. Not sure about referencing that Northern so-and-so at the end there though! You're all very much missed.

JR

[Josie]

This was written from your heart and the beauty of the sentiment brought tears back into my eyes. It helps to know there is a sanctuary to welcome those who enjoy reading and viewing art, and to give the opportunity for a writer or an artist to share. It is easy to feel a connection to others who enjoy certain topics and forms of art. The encouragement from others at the sanctuary may be the only opportunity for an individual to gain feedback. Life is a journey and this is a meaningful part of it.

[JASON]

congrats on the light 'silent one'

[LorettaYoung]

I was inspired deeply by your poem; there truly is something special about this site; one really feels that the poets are all happy for one another, happy to read and learn from the work, and share that delight. Your poem is beautiful, Congratulation on the spotlight. Best Loretta

[everhopeful]

I've noticed something about this which I didn't the first time around, and it's actually now my favourite part of the poem, even more so than the name dropping - it's the capitalisation. Perhaps I'm bringing your other work into the equation too, but I know how significant those capital letters are.
Although I understand and appreciate what this one is about, it also serves as a reminder that our history back on proboards will never be lost, so long as it lives in our hearts. And that's a bit more sappy than I like to be in my comments, but damn you, this poem actually makes me get a bit misty-eyed.
This is a keeper, congratulations on the spotlight.

[shays1]

Having come into the sanctuary only recently, this poem reflects some history and deep emotions shared with its members. It also hits on the newer members, like myself, where we know the day we join, but we do not know when the day will come when we leave. There might be a feeling of tug of war between "moving on" and staying with friendships that have been built. Very appropriate tribute to the site. Congratulations on the spot, giving more people the chance to read it.