Beware the Venom Within

Comments on a poem of tragedy and tears are called funny and clever in words of praise, 

When what the poet used were words full of loss and heartache.

Posted words often inappropriate, simplistic, and just plain odd, but because most are kind, 

Folks said thanks, even though these comments of fluff and flowers often felt so incredibly fake.

“Look at me, see me, applaud me, think me special,” every gesture seemed to say.  

“Come and visit, and we’ll all play.  Rally ‘round me, and I’ll reward you. Being here is all it takes.”

Maybe it’s culture, language or upbringing. Benefit of the doubt may be deserved. 

But understanding ends right here and right now when the gentle soul of a dear friend is at stake.  

Be careful with your kindness, fellow writers.  See cyber-stalkers for what they are.   

Don’t encourage; it might come back to bite you. It could be your soul that draws the snake.

Mind Rape

I am a trusting person. I think we all have to be, if we are to bear our souls as we do on our blogs.  Today, several of us who have written for She. More Than a Pronoun discovered that our words have been stolen and posted on another's blog.  Two others, actually.  That we know of.

Mine were plagiarized by a young woman who goes by the name of "Blossom" on thought.com. I have reported her to the administrators of the site, e-mailed her directly, and posted comments on her blog warning her fans than they should not trust her posts. In doing so, I discovered that we are not her first victims.  Apparently, she has been caught at this before.

What she and another blogger named Lightspeed (also on thoughts.com,) have done is sleazy at best and illegal at worst.  It would be nice to think that they will be kicked off the site and the issue will be over. But I know in my heart that this won't be how it plays out.  Sure, the site may kick them off, but they will simply move on, and target someone else.

I'm seriously pissed off that Blossom stole my words.  But worse, she stole my trust.

I know that, thanks to her, I will be censoring my every word I write from now on.  And it just won't be the same.

P.S. In order to post a comment on Blossom's blog, I had to join thoughts.com. I did so about an hour ago, using a picture of a thunderous sky (reflecting my mood) as my profile picture and not one word of personal information.  As I was writing this, I received mail from another thoughts.com users, a woman, hitting on me!  Good grief.