
Write for one’s self
Only then will it have meaning
and depth that speaks to others
Forms are fine and fancy words too
But, if you really want to connect
your words must all ring true
Choose not to write for accolades
of unknown publishers who read
multitudes of words each day
with swiftness and care-less speed
Write first for yourself
Share with friends who see
Who feel the depth of your soul
For that’s all your writing should be
So, write your stories and poems for you
You might even put them into a book or two
and give them to folks you care about
And friends folks who care about you
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Today is open link night at d’Verse Poets Pub. Over the past few years, I have seen many different kinds of bloggers. Most write from a perspective that is special to them. Some write in hopes of getting lots of likes and comments, which is nice. Others write for several prompt sites such as d’Verse. Still others write so they can promote themselves or products on their site. But for me, I like to write for myself. I feel if I do that and others enjoy it, that is satisfaction enough. It is wonderful to connect with all of you and I love doing the prompts on d’verse, And, I do enjoy all the likes and comments and an occasional reblog. Most of all I want to write meaningful poetry that says something that connects with others. I will let you be the judge of that!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com then click on Mr. Linkey to read more.
I remember reading something Confucius talked about that your poem reminds me of. He broke it down into actions done for “profit” and actions done altruistically. Some say there is no such thing as an altruistic act. I disagree.
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You are right! Because we benefit does not mean that was the motive.
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This reminds me of “Poems from the Heart”. Wholeheartedly agree with all the points you make with such honesty. Writing feels hollow otherwise.
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Thank you Dora. I believe if I write with feeling others will enjoy it and some will follow.
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Wonderful point of view on writing! 🙂
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Thank you so much! It works for me!
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I’m with you, Dwight.
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Yes! Thanks David!
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I totally agree with you.
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Thank you so much~
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You’re welcome 😊
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I write blog posts because I like sharing things I enjoy, and I hope others will enjoy them as well.
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Yes, that is the best way to do it!
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😀
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Agree with your point of view, Sir. Wonderful writing.
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Thank you so much Rosida!
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How do you go about having someone go through tour stuff to make sure it makes sense. When it comes to rhyming poetry I think it sounds ok but when someone else reads it the rhythm is not the same.
Did you just bite the bullet?
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I don’t spend a lot of time on that. I take feedback from my blog and others who read it. I operate from a train of consciousness mode and do very little editing. If I repost poems, I may do some reediting at that time. Thank for you thoughtful questions.
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Thanks Dwight for the feedback. I will definitely take on board.
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you are welcome!
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Lovely Poem Dwight and a lovely reminder of sharing and writing our story for the joy and love of it. At the end of the day, that’s truly what matters most. I do love your gifts of the heart written down in to words to share as a legacy of your love. ❤️ Cindy
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Thank you Cindy. I feel very strongly about leaving a written record of ourselves for the next generation to find and explore. I appreciate your ongoing kind affirmations.
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The blood thirsty for accolades and ratings have driven most poets to sacrifice meanings and truths at the temple of rhymes. To connect with others and heal society’s e wound through our poetry, poets should endeavors to connect with others through their meaningful passionate words that are not divorced from reality. Roth, permit me to call you ‘a sage poet’. Your poetic message rings out so true and loud.
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Thank you so much Henry. I do agree with your first statement. I am a big fan of authenticity in writing. Without it the soul is lost! And thank you again for your kind affirmation. It is greatly appreciated!
Dwight
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Always my pleasure Roth.
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Agreed! I chose to stop submitting my poetry for publication because it took a bit of the joy out of it for me. I love writing for me, and sharing with a select few who appreciate! Thanks for the lovely thoughts.
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That to me is the best reward! Why chase rejection. It is sort of like buying lottery tickets! :>) Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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Dwight, I think you have succeeded in writing to please yourself and others. I know your poems and photos please me! Very helpful post! ❤
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Thank you Cheryl. It seems some lose themselves in trying too hard to be what they aren’t. I appreciate and am humbled that you enjoy my work. That means a great deal to me.
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Thanks for the poem. Yeah, writing for yourself is vital sometimes. Finding that joy in writing is what makes your work readable too, I feel. Great post!
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Lovely. This poem speaks to me, especially this “Write for one’s self / Only then will it have meaning / and depth that speaks to others”, since I’ve been thinking about my motivation to write.
In the past, when I started to write, inspired by authors I admired, I did day-dream a lot about prizes, fame, money, etc. But I only came to like my writing when I started to write about what I feel, what keeps my mind busy, or what I wish for – in short: it felt true when it came from a place within me, without thinking about what it might lead to.
By now, I write to express myself and to process things, and I write for people who might relate or feel similar. I would lie if I said I don’t like validation – quite the contrary, but I feel like I’m not alone at all in the writer’s community – or that I don’t want to make a bit of money with my writing, but it certainly isn’t the main motivation anymore.
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Thank you Nadja for your wonderful response. You have learned a valuable lesson… to be true to your self. Yes, we all enjoy the validation, but you are right that should not be our main goal!
Dwight
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Great poem and great advice.
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Thank you very much Ron!
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Hmmm, good words & thanks for sharing…. This resonates well with me
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Thank you very much for your comment!
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I am with you, Dwight! Great advice.
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Thank you very much!
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks Chuck!
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Always a pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, Dwight!! Have a great day!
😊👍✨✨🎉
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Thank you Chuck and you too!
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I love this and of course you are right ~~ I feel that by authoring a blog, I’m leaving a piece of the real me behind for family and friends. I also self publish my poems, thus far, seventeen hard cover books / poetry and photography/art. Cheers!
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Wonderful! Thank you for your comment. I am glad you are able to leave this legacy for your children! An amazing body of work!
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An excellent post 👏👏👏
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Thank you so much!
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You’re very welcome indeed
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‘if you really want to connect
your words must all ring true’
I agree with you 100% on this Dwight. You can use all the fancy words you want, but if they’re not the words of your heart they will fall on deaf ears. You write for yourself but your words ring true to many!
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Thank you Ingrid! I am very glad you enjoy my work, and I do appreciate yours as well!
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it so cool information, thanks, this is my self roule in the world net is respect… before sharing something with the world we must accepted we are and our close community first then, we will be writing something for this moments and the next generation
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you are right … words have powerful impact on the lives of those they touch. Sharing is for us, but also for others who can benefit from our work. Thank you!
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yes this is it , exactly 🎉
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Right on point sir writing of ourselves is primary thing
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Thank you!
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I’m in agreement. I realized last week that I’d been writing for myself for probably 50 years. Last week I started a class to learn how!
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Ha ha… are you the teacher or the student!?
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I’m the student! 😂🤣
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:>)
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Wonderful. I write to share my heart and understand my world.
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Yes, and it comes through as real and authentic! Thank you so much.
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I write always for myself first, but I am hoping for a connection and a way to reach a wider audience. I’m learning like everything, it all just takes time. Those that are genuine will find us and we can share in thoughts, advise and sometimes just connect. Since Falling into this blogging community, I have already found such amazing talented persons just like yourself. I look forward when I have the chance to stop in and see what those I have met are doing. It’s such a great thing to be able to connect to creative all over the world. Thank you for sharing the beauty you see and write about. I am truly enjoying following you.
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Thank you so much for checking me out and reading and especially taking time to comment. It is a wonderful community of very supportive people, who like your self are looking to connect with more than just form and poetic theatrics. I love the interchange that takes place.
Dwight
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I wholeheartedly agree! 🙂 It all begins when we write for ourselves .. the words then in turn connect themselves with the world.
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Yes, that is very true! Thank you Sanaa. I am sorry I missed the live meeting, but I did enjoy going back and watching it after the fact.
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I love your thoughts on writing for yourself. It is the only way to put words into action.
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Yes! :>)
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Very nicely put, Dwight! I remember you giving me this advice after I wrote ‘Who are you’ (a Hendecasyllabic poem) I haven’t forgot it and I think too that remaining faithful to the art is most important. Everything else is side business.
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Truer words have never been spoken, dear Dwight. I think a lot of people feel that type of ingenuity when they’re not truly writing for themselves, but rather for what they see as an outcome or reaction. There’s nothing wrong with that, I sometimes do the same, but I recognize that if I personally am not writing for me as well, I can’t live entirely in the writing. A sort of disconnect or fatigue if it’s not for my own self at all.
Just my thoughts on that, don’t mind my rambles. 😀 I agree with everything you said here and more. Write because we want to, write because there are others who care and want to see us grow, write because, above all, it’s something that we want to improve, see, and hold in our arms knowing that pride of making yourself proud.
Such a lovely piece.
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I can relate to that advice. I decided it was time to try writing stuff I don’t get to write in my job. I’m hoping that a few readers will come along for the ride. It’s interesting to learn about other writers’ motivations and perspectives.
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Thank you! I am sure some will come by and read your work. This is a very encouraging community of writers.
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I love your pickin chickens post. Do you have any place for comments!
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Thanks! There’s a form for comments down the bottom of the page. I may need to move it up. At the moment I’m grappling with how best to present what is turning into a non-linear, episodic novel on a WordPress website. I want people to be able to come in at any point, dip into the story and read an episode or two, not to feel that they have to start at the beginning, but at the same time to recognise that there is a before and an after to the episode that they’ve just read. My hope is that some will be drawn in sufficiently to read the whole thing from start to finish. Whatever a finish might look like in this context 🙂
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Looks like you are well on the way! I loved your story!
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Thanks, Dwight 🙂
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Your are welcome!
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I always find it extremely reassuring when I read something like this, for it reminds me that I don’t have to veer far from what feels right to me, and to trust my instinct. Thank you for this read x
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You are welcome! I am so glad it connected with you.
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Yes.. I agree about this… but maybe for us who have our sustenance it’s what we should do and live the publishing world to those who need it
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Yes, for sure! Thanks Bjorn!
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You’re so right. Once I stopped writing what I thought I should write and began writing what I wanted to write, only then did I realise the power and joy writing brought to my life. Thanks for sharing this. 🤍
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Thank you so much, and good for you in making the choice to change.
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Thanks!
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Thank you!
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This of exactly what I needed to hear tonight. Thank you 🙏🙂
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Thank you! I am so glad it connected with you. Keep on writing!
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So true… Write for yourself… I’m trying to achieve that😊
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Nice one!.😀
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Thank you!
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Thank you!/
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Good one
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You are an inspiration to me, I am going to follow what you said.
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