Abandoned Writers Cafe

Empty rooms in empty halls.

Accounts silent - long abandoned

the words bankrupt

vacant fronts of creativity 

washed over; hollow; run down.

Verbs sway on rusted hinges

the strains of old poems

cross pages like tumbleweeds.

Profiles shuttered - desolate

unopened for years, collect dust

while messages to forgotten friends

go unanswered

Pinned to a page 

like wanted posters

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I still visit the profiles of old friends here, some that I know seldom if ever, revisit the site. Others are departed from life itself. I revisit their comments on my posts on other sites as well. I'll find one and say, well, wasn't that nice? This is eloquently poignant. I enjoyed and I relate. F.

[Relic]

Thanks for reading, Fabian. :)

[redd Brick Keshner]

As do I. They are like monoliths on a partways barren land.

[Paul Bell]

I think this is just what happens on poetry sites.
Poets leave their mark and leave.
I like the laid back way of this site.
Things seem to make sense here.

[Relic]

I've been here a long time. It has good things about it. Thanks, Paul.

[JackValor86]

Omg, meta poetry, a poem about the poets and vacancy of this site. GOLD. this is perfect for its time a place. A poem right where it should be. Like this poem wouldn't make sense in a book. and I have had similar thoughts about the activity on this site

[Relic]

Thanks very much Jack. I've been here a while now and I've seen so many disappear. Even some recent writers seem to have vanished.

I appreciate the review. :)

[JackValor86]

Cheers to the writers cafe!
*takes sip of red wine

[Relic]

Raising my glass along with you. :)

[Ms.Quoted]

That is very good. Stellar visualization. Short yet poignant. Leaves the reader with a seed of forlorning.

[Relic]

Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate it. :)

[Smoking Man]

Excellent description of a melancholic introspective view of how a writing site might be compared to deteriorated furniture.
When the writers abandon ship like "The Mary Celeste"crew and passengers in that infamous tale.

[Relic]

Ah yes, I've read that tale which is very intriguing...good comparison.

Thanks very much for the review, Mairie.

[Smoking Man]

You're welcome,it was my pleasure and yes I've also been fascinated by the mysteries of "The Mary Celeste & Bermuda Triangle".

[Relic]

I used--and occasionally still do--watch the videos on youtube about them. I was fascinated by the mysterious when I was younger.

[Smoking Man]

I've even written a few stories based on a similar theme or genre.

[Relic]

Really? I must read them soon. Are they posted? Will they be posted?

[Smoking Man]

Yes to both,but I've put them on other writing sites,hopefully I'll upload them.on Writerscafe very soon.I'm pretty pleased to be receiving comments and reviews on WC being a newbie.
The other sites I use are like"The Mary Celeste",people read but never comment 😢

[Relic]

Yeah, the lack of comments is a common thing nowadays on almost any site you go to. I'm on another site and I was fortunate to be well received there. I think if you can latch onto people and review them often, you'll receive the same in return.

[Smoking Man]

I agree with your prognosis with regard to obtaining reviews,I guess you only get out what you put in (it's a bit like life).

[Relic]

Yes, I would agree. You reap what you sow. Of course in saying that, I can remember doing so many reviews and getting hardly anything back. haha but whatever, as long as you try that's the main thing I guess.

[Smoking Man]

I'll be totally honest with you that I don't tend to waste my time reviewing lots of other folks writing if I'm not receiving reviews on my own.
I can quickly tell when folk want me to read their stuff and it's not reciprocated because you tend to receive lots of requests from the same writers.I tend to give folk the benefit of the doubt but once the return review isn't forthcoming from them I just move on.
It's better to have a small group of faithful or loyal band of friends and stick with them.
Like on Facebook you can get lost in a sea of souls or faces.

[Relic]

I used to write about that type of fishing scam some people would pull in order to get reviews. I've deleted people on my friends list over it. I declined a lot of friend requests over it too.

I'm not on facebook myself. I don't like it.

[Smoking Man]

Same here but I'm not a collector of faces and I hate Facebook.The problem with FB is that it shares and passes on information to third parties.My email inboxes are filled daily with junk mail sent by Facebook third parties or sponsors.

[Relic]

My phone/internet/TV provider (Fios) does that. I get calls from telemarketers in different states (United States) all day long. I get junk mail from them in my mailbox too. :(

[Smoking Man]

I wouldn't mind the junk mail but I find it quite offensive and aggressive with the content.
I've tried unsubscribing and blocking but these companies use multiple email addresses.
They are mainly gambling,sleazy dating sites like Russian brides or Harmony,Bitcoin,life insurance,funeral related,sex health,real estate,the list goes on and on.
Luckily I don't receive telesales marketing calls because I use a device with my service provider which cuts them out at source.

[Relic]

Wow, they're really flooding you with all they've got. I could certainly use a blocking devise or service. I'll have to ask my service provider about it.

I have to run but it was so nice talking to you Mairie. I'll be reading more of your work soon. :)

[Smoking Man]

Great !!!! And likewise it's been a pleasure too,by the way what's your name?.
I look forward to reading your writing soon and I'll try to post some new stuff this weekend,just let me know what genres you like.I have a huge portfolio of writing including over 150 poems and 30 plus stories,plays,novels etc.
Have a great weekend Mairie

[Relic]

I'm Tim. I don't think I have any favorite genres. I like whatever strikes me as good.

read moreI'm Tim. I don't think I have any favorite genres. I like whatever strikes me as good.

You have a great weekend too.

[Smoking Man]

Ok that's interesting to know Tim.It was just with reference to me uploading something for you preferable from my portfolio.

[Poetic License]

(Now for the goofy comment I very first thought when I read your first snippet "Empty rooms in empty halls." Empty chairs and empty tables. Yeah, I know.
But then the piece that followed really built on my first impression, as I expressed earlier.)

[Relic]

I forgot about that. :) Thanks.

[Poetic License]

Sorry, just my goofiness. Once a musical geek.....

[Relic]

Goofiness is fine here. :)

[Poetic License]

Going to have to remind you that you said that...... snarf. I truly am sorry to be so irreverent on such an amazing piece. I've read it twice again and still feel the "haunting" quality.

[Relic]

haha

No need to apologize. I'm easy. :D

[Poetic License]

Oh, I really liked this. REALLY. Certainly emotes the desolation. Makes me want to know why, to try to peek past the grime covered windows and wiggle that board across the window to see if it just might pop loose enough to show what happened. Personal growth achieved? Self implosion? Loss of interest? Sailing to new islands? No inspiration?

I love the mystery you create. It reads like an epitaph for a Historic Route 66 ghost town begging further exploration.

Very, very, very well done.

[Relic]

I appreciate your creative and interesting review PL, thank you.

[Matthew Kult]

Some have passed on or found other forms of media. Been here off and on a long time. Names come and go.

Matthew

[Relic]

I find it kind of sad to see familiar faces disappear. I'm off and on here all the time. The site's not the same to me anymore.

Thanks for the review, Matthew.

[Matthew Kult]

You are welcome. But don't give up my friend. New friends await.

Matthew

[Relic]

With all the departures, I've always come back. :)

[Jacob Clifford]

Fits to a T. There are so many friends on this site I never see anymore. The community is always changing and, seemingly, shrinking. I love the use of "fonts of creativity" and "verbs" to convey the message of absent writers.

[Relic]

Thank you, Clifford.

[barleygirl]

This is very fitting! I've been on this website for about two years, but I take month-long breaks now & then when I get swamped with life. I find that when I return after a month's absence, so many friends have closed up shop. It's like this community is an ever-changing entity. Your poem is full of excellent descriptions & your extended metaphor is well done, so consistent, just like I like 'em! *smile* Fondly, Margie

[Relic]

Much appreciated Margie, thanks. :)

[humbleServant]

this one matches my sadness because one writer on my friend list just closed her profile but your words captured how I am feeling in the moment perfectly!!

[Relic]

I'm sorry to hear that. People close profiles all the time sadly, though a lot of writers often come back. Anyone I would know?

[humbleServant]

Poetic License

[Relic]

Ah, I see. That's a shame. I know there are people that are discouraged because of the lack of reviews. That's happening on all the sites. PL my come back, you never know.