squid152: As I go into dark days beware what you might read...
    DIS-illusioned: Why, 'cause it may not be legible--lack of light and all? :-p -
    Celtic~Soul: Dis, I think you need a hobby. You're spending waaaaay too much time in the forums... :-DDDD

    Hey, I know. How about taking up writing? nyuck-nyuck ;-) -
    DIS-illusioned: Writing? Me? Pfft--never!
    Profile Thoughts tend to inspire. To what end? ... I do not know. Hmm! ...
    :) -
    jjstar: Yeah, totally agree, Dis...at least the profile thoughts make me think about writing...and William, at least it's positive misery...:) -
    squid152: In one hour we gain an hour.



    -
    Louisiana Poorboy: Hi Squid, I have an agreement with the gators. They knock on my door and I toss out a literary critic. -
    artemis53: Like that one, Poorboy. We do the same in Florida. Now if we can train 'em to get golfers... -
    Saucey: Can't wait to see what will be birth from the deep... -
    pRINCEssStar : Long live metaphorical mark and tammygail my friend. -
    dancerwriter: Dancerwriter-about my writing- I wondered ifyou knew whne you rated my poem
    " Fabric Of My Dreams", you said you were gave me a six star, (I was delighted, thank you)but it came through on my poetry as a five star. Could you please clarify this rating, as I told Tom, but have had no reply. Six stars are precious. Regards Lesley J. -
    fairy77: Hi Squid,just wondered how you are?Have a great weekend.Drop me a PM.thanks beth hugs. -
    hollyinvesuvianite: Hi Gary- I am wondering if you are doing alright- Your friend, Holly -
    jellyshark: squid's been in the hospital, try to get his numbers right, because of all the alcohol, his livers in a fright -
    Treischel: Hope he is doing OK. Been missing him. -
    jellyshark: In a hospital bed for four weeks, and a nursing home for two, what's next for squid the poet, it's an answer I wish I knew... -
    Treischel: My prayers go out to him that might recover. -
    jellyshark: Holly, Debbie and Treischel, I have forwarded your thoughts and prayers to Gary, a few times. He's been very ill, with some serious health problems. When I mentioned your names he perked up just a little bit. I've known Gary since we were 12 years old in 1976 (junior high school), kept in close touch all these years. I've been visiting him about twice a week for the last 6 weeks (since his hospitalization). His liver failed, and he had ammonia in his brain, which almost put him in a coma, brought on by years of alcohol abuse, all while not visiting a doctor when he should have. He wrote of depression, but it was so much more than that. Alcoholism does not discriminate, be it rich or poor, smart or dumb, alcohol does not care. Gary's friends have tried over the years to get him to drink less, but he made his own decisions, and one needs to help themself before others can help one. Last year Gary tried to get me to write poetry on this site, but I told him I'm more of a reader than writer. My two previous posts here were in poetry form for Gary. He's been bedridden for over 6 weeks, requiring 24hr care, with no signs of improvement. His motor skills are shot and he has trouble speaking and he can hardly even sit up on his own or feed himself. It is all so tragic, his friends are very bummed. Gary's got a step-father, and that's about it, other than us, his friends. Gary's writings have always been on the dark side, especially his more recent stuff, now it all falls into place, yet makes no sense at all. I wasn't going to post this, but after much thought, I had to, as much as it pains me. He loves you and he loves writing, it hurts him, you, and me that he hasn't been on this website. It's been forever since he's laughed, let alone smile, keep him in your prayers. I will give updates, and please feel free to message back. tom -
    dejohnsrld (Debbie): Teardrops flowing. I knew alcohol was involved and that combining it with depression in no good. I tried it years ago. Let him know I think of him daily and wish him the best~Debbie -
    dejohnsrld (Debbie): For Squid 152

    For quite a while
    Lifeâ??s downward spiral
    Depression gets worse
    A drink seems no curse
    For some time it hides
    Misery inside
    â??Til worsens your lot
    with cycle it plots
    Destroying who we
    And had planned to be
    Work recovery
    You have poems many
    Please keep in your mind
    Peace you seek to find
    Simpler way to live
    Youâ??ve still much to give
    Each poem you create
    I appreciate
    Poetry you love
    And your God above
    Will help bring you back
    Youâ??re presence we lack
    Take care, my dear friend
    Soon to be here again

    From someone who has been there... -
    inmemoryofsquid152: I just found out that Gary has passed away,as another friend like jellyshark, Gary has been a friend for many years and truly will be missed, i hope he is at peace now and spending time with Hemingway and the other great authors/ poets that meant so much to him, We miss you Gary until we meet again my friend -
    hollyinvesuvianite: I have just been able to get on here now. I am so saddened by this. I was really hoping that he would pull through. Thank you, Tom, for passing on thoughts to him, and for being there for him. I will miss him very much. He really tried to bring people together on this site. Holly -
    LilHippie: Hi Gary, are you okay? Been away from FS for awhile. Hope all is well with you! You are too precious to not be around.
    -
    LilHippie: Oh my God, I just read further down. To all Gary's family and friends, I am so terribly sorry. He was an awesome person. His writing was exceptional and he was a great guy to talk to, with a great sense of humor. I am deeply saddened. Deeply saddened. RIP Gary, you were loved here!
    -
    MM lives on :) : God Bless you buddy, Gary your soul is now set free from this worry on earth, my deepest sympathy for all those who loved this kind man. I wish his poetry could be salvaged and published or some form for us all to remember him by. -


squid152: I have just been informed by FanStory that it is against the rules to promote The World in this way. I asked them, why? It belongs to all of us. I told them to deduct any points I have earned from posting it. I am not happy! The whole purpose of the project was to get away from selfishness! If these are my last words on this site, I want them to be Thank You and God bless.
    redrider6612: Ah, I wondered if that was going to be a problem. When you post something, you have to check "yes" in the box by the statement that says the post is your own original creation (or something to that effect). I don't think they will kick you off the site for one violation, so don't worry about it. -
    DALLAS01: Too bad. It was a nice idea and I enjoyed what I read. -
    LilHippie: Sorry. Truly. Loved the community of it best of all. -
    LilHippie: And don't speak of last words! We will all miss you, including FanStory, believe me. No talk of last words, older female hippie rules!!! Unless it goes by college degrees, then you got me. Damnit! -
    squid152: The world is still alive I see, Keep adding to it! -
    Nhala: WORD UP MAN
    I AM DEAD SERIOUS
    word up
    that is sooooo beyond ridiculously, ridonkulously, irrefutably, INCONTHIEVABLE tru -
    squid152: What do mean man? Talk to me. -
    Nhala: oh i remember now bro, i have to dumb myself down and edit myself and censor constantly or I get banned in one night no problem, it is too bad, i love this place otherwise. ur bro in arms
    byron the raven nhala barrera george clement! -
    xotic flotsam: Posting Pink Floyd my friend? My view was during the "Dark Side of the Moon". Holy crap. What a freaky, wildly artistic show. If you can, watch "Pulse". Ya freakin' cool hedonist. -
    squid152: Smokey Robinson is doing a poetry reading here locally in L.A. California. -


squid152: Please enter a line to add to this poem called The World. Enter your text in the open box at the END of this poem way down below.

This title was suggested by another poet. I can't remember thier name, but it sounded approriate for this collaberation project. The first line is:

The world can be such a lonely place
    shelley kaye: The world can be such a lonely place
    without a friendly face....

    -
    barkingdog: Hand in hand with open hearts
    Hopeful that world peace soon starts -
    donaldww: These words conjoined lift spirit and redound -
    LilHippie: Without a child to love, there shines no light from above -
    LilHippie: the cold empty hand has no glove -
    LilHippie: to the delight of children on the beach below -
    squid152: When fairies dance and often glow -
    tinams: Where you and me and he and she contentedly shall be -
    sndsndsnd: Wrapped in the arms of all humanity -
    guinea: No longer will there be pain in our hearts. -
    Joan E.:
    My thanks for your reaching out
    Showing what being human is about
    -
    Bina1: Caring and sharing with everyone we see -
    pharp: Be kind and show love towards one another -
    fairy77: I liked to walk a mile in your shoes and see where it takes me:) -
    venika: Hand in hand with friend or foe -
    squid152: I laugh and love, don't matter the color -
    Chris Tee: Behold the warmth of our hearts
    And spread it to all world parts -
    artemis53: Allow yourself the time to heal. -
    sndsndsnd: Open your hearts and your minds will follow -
    Bobbi22: With the wind at our back and our future before us -
    Tiny Owl: Let's learn from history, so not to destroy us -
    IndianaIrish: Discover the joy in life through the eyes and laughter of a child -
    cvcopac: Let the soul's portals open wide
    and take and love the child inside -
    LilHippie: Love freely to ensure not one child be denied
    -
    nancy_e_davis: Honeycomb: Of hope for tomorrow and peace worldwide -
    hollyinvesuvianite: The depths of our souls will flourish and all hatred will have died -
    pattipac: If we share our souls' melodious love song. -
    margaret lacey: respect people on the way up in life because you could meet them on the way down -
    l.raven: A world were God can look and see
    the children he loves happy and free -
    Gert sherwood: There is a land of Peace Somewhere Somewhere there is a land of Peace
    to tread its golden ways.
    -
    gifted$1: How, then shall we spend our days? Fractured, torn and fighting? Or loving one another, with harmony abiding? -
    kleinifer: Some will never be heard nor be seen,
    but it is time to make them feel
    like they are always near.
    -
    yonashalom: Whether across the oceans, deep in the mountains, or different hemispheres -
    Phyllis Stewart: The road of life is bumpy,
    pothole filled and rough,
    but when we walk with others,
    life doesn't seem so tough. -
    ennahanid: The potholes
    are of our own making
    May we follow You
    with fewer missed steps.
    A stride of confidence
    that fortifies us
    and diminishes any doubt.
    -
    Frank Atwood: Confidence begins in the words we speak.
    Negative words reveal negativities we teach.
    Speak positives and all doubts are relinguished.
    But too, many use words to make them look distinquished.
    May each word we speak and write, remove an evil many never seek.
    For the darkness in this world
    is revealed through the words mankind chooses to speak. -
    Starlit Ink: ok squid, herer is my line:
    So at last we will walk side by side -
    Gert sherwood:

    Ok Squid my additional line as you instructed--

    hear mysterious sound of voices that flee, from the edges of the shadowy sea

    Gert
    -
    Doc Holiday: Before taking that midnight swim, we say a prayer or sing a hymn -
    hollyinvesuvianite: Before leaping into the unknown, our faith blossoms into petals that keep us afloat. -
    robyn corum: We can relax and enjoy the ride, knowing all of life offers us Hope -
    artemis53: And with that hope we'll find a dream
    Proclaiming it a personal theme. -
    PJJuarez: Here's my piece:
    Our dreams become shared realities
    As we weave our fabrics together.
    Forgive the past, forgive once enemies.
    Let's stand tall then dance with one another. -
    artemis53: for in such dances joy is found by ev'ry step we take, Allowing us a unity for circles rarely break. -
    Razz: Go into all the world and teach the gospel to every creature. God's truth is the same yesterday, today and forever. -
    Kingsland: We the people of the world want peace. We the people of the world want to eat. We the people of the world deserve compassion. We the people of the world need to get past hate, encourage love.
    We the people of the world need to leave greed behind and all join together. We the people of the world want unity for one and all... -
    squid152: We the pepole of The World have not shown The World anything yet! The World has just begun. A song still yet to be sung. -
    Kingsland: Put love in one hand. put compassion in the other. Mix in some empathy. Then we wait for it to flower... -
    dejohnsrld (Debbie): It can be pure torture to make it through each hour
    But wait we will and if we are still
    The answers will slowly come, and with great patience the seeds will grow
    Waiting is the key to getting to know
    What we reap is what we sow -
    squid152: I didn't believe my eyes. The world is still spimming, Maybe the end, is just the beginning, -
    fairy77: a few tiny steps can open many doors:) -
    kiwigirl2821: especially when a love stronger than the soul that binds us, lies shivering in a dark lonely cavern waiting for release into the light...peace walks in silent but powerful strength within us all... -
    October21: find that strength and turn it to good, love and laugh and be happy as you should... -
    xotic flotsam: The world creates your coast... your charge... mine, rapt... two souls harbor in one heart... Behind the door...lighthouse dock chisels my... obloquy into new raw love...your world melds into my rusted tears...shivering...the world,your world...
    Unspeakable poignancy
    Relief... Rescued... Inside my head...you...the world...love...step to me...answers... -
    Titanx9: Gary, just want to tell you why I hadn't been reading most of your "rat" series. I don't like rats!! I'll keep on looking at what you're posting. Peace and have a great day!! -
    squid152: The rat seams to have have takin' a walk. Don't mean he is dead though. This is not my poem. It is yours. Please add to it with your most thoughtful words. You can easily change the theme. This is a project. That was the whole idea in the first place. It aint about me and a stupid rat, Take the lead and write one line and we will all follow. -
    Meta~Mark: Right on, I have been informed that a snake lies within the grass and have deceived you my grasshopper, I want the hydras of war to seek havoc upon thir very souls at once for this failure of a woman has taken her claws of deception into you like a vulture, seek shelter now... L) -
    squid152: Here is my first line...There are rats in my attick... -
    Titanx9: Who are all the "one-time wonders" who sign on to FanStory and go around giving out "two and three" star ratings? FanStory needs to educate on how to rate and communicate before they allow newbies sign on. If you're a serious writer and the victim of this mindless rating, it can be a little maddening! Peace.... -
    squid152: I just got a 2 from a newbie. -
    fairy77: oh god I got a one when I started to rhyme again and a three from a kid.I know your suffering LOL!beth -
    squid152: I would really like to do do something like this again. I felt so at one one with all of you and happy! -
    twinklepoems: I hope you do it again. I missed it the first time around! -
    squid152: Tinx9 started it. Check out my reviews for once apon a time and add your contribution here. -
    Saucey: stopped by to let you know you are in my thoughts & prayers. We are lights to a dark world we are not perfect but we shine I start by getting the beam out of my eye so I can see clearly to get the splinter out of others. Love you. -