I came across a rec on here a few days ago about life being so serious yet unserious, because sometimes you eat a McChicken and everything’s okay for a moment or two. Silly, simple things can bring joy and laughter amongst the struggles y'know. It made me think about this poem. But I'm so so sorry, that’s really fucking awful. You didn't deserve any of that. It can be so hard to put yourself out there in the first place, I'm sorry you got nasty folks. Like it's terrible that people even need to preface their work with “hey I'm not claiming to be a good writer, not looking for critique, please don’t come for me, this is just for fun” and are still met with absolute plonks saying “you have committed irreparable sin against my eyes for posting this, actually. I must inform you of this.” And I don’t even know what to say about people criticising you for writing in English and Spanish. I mean, other than that’s fucking stupid. I’m sure your writings are very very lovely. If it's any extra help, just thinking about the idea of your silly fish poem made me smile (: Years ago I wrote and shared a poem about me not cleaning the floor for a long while after we had to put our dog down - because, if I stood in a certain spot, tilted my head just right, the light coming through the kitchen window would hit the tiles, and I could still see imprints of his little paws that had been left behind. There were nice comments, but someone said something along the lines of “hmmmmm. you should actually mop the floors once a week at minimum. that’s gross. also your rhyme is clunky” Like oh. Okay. I know, but...that wasn't why I-- I poured my grief and love into this and you're like "here's the best floor cleaning liquid to use. kys." I shared a poem about my first *real* crush too, and there were a few comments like "this is juvenile. cringe." I remember the hurt of "oh. ow. I was being really sincere there. that feels kinda soul eroding to read. Might fling myself into the sun now, cya" But hey, all of this to say: Heck yeah, keep writing! Even if it's only just for you. I've personally found having a writing outlet for myself again in general great. I also like having pieces set aside that I don't start off with intending to share with anyone - that’s been super helpful too, for like, my brain in general. Whether they're personal reflections or silly thoughts, it helps to play around and get feelings out (: Sending you kind vibes, keep on keepin' on đŸ«Ą
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Feb 13, 2025

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YES. Love this one, thank you! I almost forgot about it
Feb 13, 2025
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likelychristi no worries! glad it’s floatin’ around in your noggin again. it always makes me smile
Feb 13, 2025
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adored it. read this before bed, feeling ready to have a beautiful day tomorrow <3 thx and gn!
Feb 13, 2025
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babita you’re very welcome! Hope you have a great sleep and an awesome day tomorrow (:
Feb 13, 2025
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also, here's an extra one: Catullus 16 https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Translation:Catullus_16 (it’s a tad crass, so maybe don’t open it in the church pews or on public transport. or do!) Catullus had been getting mocked by his friends for his poems like “haha poetry? ur gay bro” so he wrote this as fuck you. I just think it’s funny to imagine a bunch of Romans, toga bound, perhaps taking shade under an arch, or walking around a macellum, making jokes to Catullus over his poems about smooching women and finding joy with “that’s some flowery shit dude, you sound like a homo” “you gotta write poems about being strong and war stuff or else you’re a sissy lol” *some things don’t change, everything’s cringe, and everyone can be a critic, write regardless. write you first.*
Feb 13, 2025

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A softshelled original that simply blew me away
 In all seriousness I don’t have the words to tell you how sorry I am that people are treating you this way and I hope you know you have nothing to be ashamed of—even if you know it rationally, I know sometimes it can still sting and affect your feelings of self-worth. Nobody deserves to be treated that way, especially not in response to a silly lighthearted poem you wrote just for fun and didn’t intend to reach such a large audience. And it’s a beautiful thing that you write in Spanish and English. This behavior is a reflection of these people, not you or your worth or skill. I’m glad to hear you’re going to keep writing. Take care of and be kind to yourself! 💌
Feb 12, 2025
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It just started as a boredom thing, finding fun rhymes and making funny connections between words. But now I have really begun to enjoy it. I put time off to sit and think, about ways to make a message come to life, in an indirect way. And it doesn’t have to have a deep meaning at all, the little things in life also need attention just as the big things do. I hope someone sees this and decides to give poems a try♄
Jan 29, 2025
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I love this question! heres a few things I return to for inspiration. Jim Jarmusch‘s Paterson to remember the small beauty in creating every day, for yourself if nothing else. All of Mitski’s live performances, (and all her records tbh) to find the balance between raw vulnerability and studied theatrics. Mary Oliver’s poems (especially wild geese) to remember the joy amidst pain. Sylvia Plath’s poems (especially Lady Lazarus) to see how one’s own wallowing can become shared catharsis when turned into art (making work isn’t selfish even when its about ourselves). Kelly Link’s short stories to find weirdness and playfulness (not everything has to have a moral or deeper meaning).
Mar 23, 2024

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