Angela has overlooked the passage:

"Anyway, you have written some better poems. I can't tell you lies; and that's why I have become somewhat dissatisfied with this poem and certainly with you. But please don't think I don't like your poems."

She has said "these are my friends and i have to speak up" but does it mean we all have to always praise a poet our friend, even if he writes a poem no better than his others? Dear, I am not that person who will always say something good about bad poems, and this is for sure. And people should not think of it as "arrogance".

I think John has understood that I have not done injustice to his poetic talent I admire, but he won't expect me to praise a bad poem either by him or by me. Good relationships and friendships have NOTHING or LITTLE to do with CRITCISM if criticism wishes to be just and honest. Anybody can spoil young poets (including John and I) by praising their bad works too much. John, I never meant to spoil you at all. And I don't want to be the spoiler myself.
2005-10-23

AmonTheDark
with all the rage and hatred in the wrold one one think that with time everyone
would let bygones be bygones but the wrold is in a say way maybe thibngs will change maybe they want but this poem points that out i think. awsome poem
2005-10-19

chasingtheday
wow, i think sofiul should leave here. he is arrogant to all. i did not notice this poem, due to my way of if no one visits my work i won't theirs, but just noticed angie's refrence to your poem in words to sofiul in zoya's poem.

he for one is someone that keeps saying in im and poem comments read my work this and that. i find his beratement of you here despicable just because you say look deeper... he offends all with his words and then cries i am misunderstood when they become angry with him!
2005-10-19

John, I kind of like your poems posted so far at Poetbay, but don't you think it's so presumptuous to say, "Look deeper in my poem and find out the true meaning of creativity?" This poem is not even good if I compare this poem with others you have written so far; yet this presumtuous and precocious claim is absurd, so absurd that I may not look into this poem again.

Anyway, you have written some better poems. I can't tell you lies; and that's why I have become somewhat dissatisfied with this poem and certainly with you. But please don't think I don't like your poems.

I would have loved to talk to you about this matter, but I will be away for three weeks.
2005-10-19

Zoya Zaidi
Dear John, Every poem of yours is a pleasent surprise! you have such empathy for those who suffer, for the those living on the fringe of society, for the under dog, the down trodden... you have tha germs of a great poet in making!!!
(((hugs)))
2005-10-19