Hi, all! Options

[mayo]

I am just trying to figure out the workings of this site. I am a quick study so I hope I find my way around sooner than later.

I write poetry. I often write in first person, but I rarely write confessional poetry. I use my poems to try to touch the heart of things, the truth perhaps. Because I write stories not biographies I am not injured by any form of critique. Often my poetry has multiple meanings and I welcome readers to come to their own conclusions. I like odd words and peculiar happenings.

I am a trained philosopher. I believe that one of the ways that we access Truth is through poetry, as well as art and music, along with other things. Poetry condenses what is at the heart of things. One day I hope to write something that contains that universal truth, and if I don't I will have had fun along the way.

I will happily comment freely on others' work, but I am happy to be wrong when I am. Let me know if I have misunderstood something.

I am hoping to find a place to further hone my poetic voice. I have been happy on other sites, but I feel a need to new eyes and opinions.

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hello Mary and welcome to MM!

As I just mentioned to Jeanne and Antonio (two other newbies to MM), here at MM, we offer honest, yet friendly feedback in our workshopping forums. I will enjoy reading your 'first person' poetry - keep in mind, readers will naturally assume the content is about yourself though (which makes for great conversations). I also enjoy looking for multi-meanings in poetry and often write in the same fashion as well with my own work - although my muse has been AWOL for several months now.

The level of critique varies from member to member based on their individual goals. It can take some time to get to know each other and what is being sought. Please do wander our halls, take in our colorful 'tiles' and join in the fun.

If you would be so kind, would you care to share a bit of your writing goals with us? What can we do to help? I hope you will find MM your new home!

Please let us know if you need any guidance navigating the site or with our participation rules or other goodies we offer.

Welcome!
~Cleo/Lori

[mayo]

Thank you for the welcome. I am curious as to how often the forums are actually used? And which one might be used more than others. I have seen very little movement in the past couple days. Are there better times to come to the site than others?

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi Mary.

We seem to have high and low periods. I'd say we're in a moderate period at the moment. I personally haven't been too active since January due to personal issues and am just now getting ready to get back into the swing of things here on site. As strange as this sounds, pretty much all of our staff has had health and/or other personal issues to work through which has limited our online time. We're trying to be as active as time and schedules allow.

To answer your question, I think generally the weekends are busier here and the evening hours/early morning hours since we have members from around the world (different time zones). The most active forums are our two poetry critique forums, Herme's Homilies (fixed forms) and Seren's Synapse (free verse) followed by our challenge forums, The Acropolis (weekly challenges) and Pandora's Box (monthly challenges).

I can run some board stats to confirm and reply back again later this evening.
Cheers
~Lori

[Cleo_Serapis]

Ok - a quick stats update:

In Feb - we had 41 new topics posted
in Mar - the number is 74
in Apr - the number is 73
and in May so far, we have 59.

For the same period our 'post' stats (exclude New topics) - posts are replies...
In Feb - we had 266 posts
in Mar - the number is 510
in Apr - the number is 449
and in May so far, we have 341.

We are steady and on the rise this month.

[mayo]

Thank you for the detailed response.

[Cleo_Serapis]

You're most welcome!

Hope to offer feedback on your poem in the next few days.

At work so gonna for now!
~Cleo

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Mayo, or is it Mary? Welcome to MM, I am one of the staff here. I post a lot in the free verse section. I do hope you enjoy it here at MM. I am one of those that has health problems and have been absent a lot and maybe a lot in the future, I never know from day to day. I hope that if you have problems don't hesitate to ask. I used to post at a lot of different places, but now it is mostly here as I just dont have the time or energy to do more. I will go read some of your writing and hopefull at least comment there. Again most welcome.
Steve

[Arnfinn]

G'day. Mary,

Mate, the Earths flat.

We are all suffering from deflation.

And that's why, people turn to poetry for expression, to fill the surroundings with hot air and inflate the atmosphere with knowledge, to get things on an even keel again.


SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo. Welcome.


John.

[Maggie]

Hi mayo,

And a warm welcome from me too. I'm a bit of a newbie and somewhat a novice here. I hope you enjoy the site as much as I do. There are some very gifted and talented poets here as well as friendly and helpful ones as well.

I look forward to reading your work!!!

Again, welcome!!!

Peggy

[mayo]

thank you all for the welcome. And for the record it is Mayo.

[JLY]

Mayo,
Welcome. Many of us here find solace and comfort and MM is a refuge from the realities of everyday stress of health issues, family problems and the sinking economy.

You will find that everyone's goal is mutual in that we try to improve our craft through positive encouragement and straightforward comments.

JLY

[mayo]

Thank you, JLY, for the welcome.

[Sekhmet]

Good morning Mayo - I would like to welcome you to Mosaic Musings.
Naturally, you will look around, and decide whether this site is for you - or not; but as a relative newcomer, I have found the criticisms and suggestions to be thoughtful, and honest.
If something doesn't work - you will be told - but with the reasons clearly explained.
This is not the largest poetry site around - but all the members treat the making of poetry with a certain amount of seriousness, leavened with great good humour.
We hope to see a selection of your work when you have found an area that will suit your style.
Leo

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[mayo]

Thank you, Leo. I am looking forward to learning the many voices here.

[Psyche]

Hi Mayo,
It's a bit late to be welcoming you over here in 'Introduce Yourself?, but sometimes I prefer to go straight to the forums and see new poets' work, without knowing anything about them. It's also faster for me, since I have some problems not worth mentioning now.

So first of all, welcome to MM, and apologies for the delay!

I was following all the feedback and your answers to your poem "Mammogram", and became slightly confused as to what you're seeking in the forums. But never mind, I'll return there and post again.

I live in Argentina, so I'm not familiar with the term "a trained philosopher'. Does it mean that you have a University Degree in Philosophy?

I agree with you about seeking the truth in poetry. 'Seeking' is the key word for me, it's a good road to follow since one can express a great deal in a few lines instead of filling tomes full of dense reasonings. But finding truth is another matter, as you say!

Cheers, Sylvia***

[mayo]

yes, multiple degrees.

in the forums i am seeking new eyes and how they read my poems. If there are parts that read disjointed or discombobulated I want to know.

[Psyche]

impressive.

do u plan on posting revisions or new versions. i want to know so as to offer only comments on meanings captured by me not poetical phrasing.

[mayo]

impressive.

do u plan on posting revisions or new versions. i want to know so as to offer only comments on meanings captured by me not poetical phrasing.

I will post revision or new versions. Still testing the waters.