In the Beginning

this page
intentionally left blank

for
poets &

word thieves

for empty-toothed words,
for smoke-filled words
for words arranged

like p's and q's
illogically reversed

twice before

repeating

Blech. OK, so if it's not a silly haiku, I'm a bit rusty when it comes to poetic verse. And I won't even claim this page was crafted to get me back into the habit — it may very well be too late for that.

Rather, I had the grand idea for an open poetry forum after a poet friend left a few comments on my blog that were, by far, insanely better than my original posts. Seemed a shame to let such words shuffle off into the ether.

Hence "Numb Benign" — a fairly simple page to which any number of folks can post. If you're interested in co-authoring this joint, hook your tin can up to mine and let me know. I hate to resort to cliches but, well... the more, the merrier.

And while I don't want to let my true schoolmarm colors shine through, there are a few rules:

• Keep the content PG-13 (i.e. safe enough for folks to check from work computers without incurring the wrath of Big Brother)
• Feel free to re-post any poems originally on your "other" page to this one — maybe use this as an opportunity to increase your readership. If that's your thing.
  
• If you wish to repost anything you see here, please ask the author for permission first — because we're all about giving credit where it's due.
• Keep personal details to a minimum — particularly if you know me (if you know me, you know why. If you don't know me... then you have nothing to worry about).

Or in the words or my high school study hall teacher: WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T.

But then again, she called me by the wrong name for four years straight (regardless of the fact that the roster was correct), so she may not be the best guide in terms of etiquette. But you get the idea.

Also, while this is designed primarily for "new" creative material, feel free to post the occasional poem or two from your favorite wordsmith — just make sure all the proper credits are there.

Numb Benign may disappear if activity is too infrequent, non-existent, or just all-out embarrassing.

And on that note... pencils up.

You may begin.