Fluff it or Stuff it

I asked Hackmaster OrangeClouds to review a poem that I had just spent the better part of the week writing. Perhaps at a later time, I will actually post it on this blog.

"Ooooh. Interesting poem, and not bad too"

I thank her kindly for her encouragement and knowing what a nice person she is, I wondered how many points were scored on merit and what was the friendship mutiplier applied.

I have to qualify that this is not a blog entry to cast aspersions on her reply. The fact remains that her words were most affirming and they did spark of a thought. In contrast, I'm a terrible person for having such needling doubts.

I also wondered if I would lavishly apply the mutiplier to a request for comments (albeit at a number less than 1 where the comments are negative) from a very dear friend who just led in bible study.

Weighing this against the self-knowledge, garnered from numerous friends and enemies alike, that some of the things I say rubs raw, I decided that I'll leave the uncomfortable task to the nice people. So when I had the opportunity to be alone with the-friend-who-led-bible-study, we talked about hot wet blacks in Katrina's wake instead.

Going off-tangent and past the word count here, it occured to me that this is a kind of 'other-people centered' mentality too - thinking that others will do what we will not.

So I conclude, probably erroneously, that friends may not be the best critics because if their primary concern in relating to you is in making you feel good and happy, they'll either fluff it or, as in my case, stuff it. But at this point of my writing ability, I do not think I can Jack-Nicholson handle the truth and will be most delighted with some fluff. So give it to me baby - Some nice reply for this poetic fry.

Comments

[orangeclouds]

So it's tactful me vs. sledgehammer Cheemoth isit? Heh.

Aiyah I always use "interesting" meaningfully, in a way tt signals I am intrigued. Cos poem seemed to reference undercurrents tt appealed to my gossipy nature. Wasn't trying to be paragon saint of tact there.

The "not bad" is the part that refers to the writing ability. Which was true, it wasn't BAD.

[Errol]

no no. not you vs cheemoth. Its how I handled things when asked for comment. Like I says, this not about you. Your email was the prompter. :) Pls dun get angry and write bad things about me in the ST hor.

[pearlywhirls]

me thinks speaking truth in love/tact is loving too. maybe more than fluffing... dont stuff it! :) we need to all learn to tuff it by saying what we honestly think in nicely, timely fashion.

[Errol]

Tuff it! hee hee.
The woman speaks truth!