~The Dragon Flies' Lair Thread XI~

April 17, 2004 | bentfeather, and poets of the Dragon Flies' Lair

[Darksheare]

OUR lot.
*chuckle*
Maybe we'll be 'tenth life' cats someday?
Seven toe cats are supposed to have luck.
Like Tenth Life cats.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

May I share my favorite poem and illustrator with you:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy

HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Diva,

Very nice illustration. Who is the author of the work??

I guess I should know, but I don't.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

oops-I forgot to add didn't I ? .. Pamela Silin Palmer.. check her out Ms. Feathers.. IMO she has some beautiful work. HERE

[Soaring Feather]

Oh well, I meant the text, did she do that, too.

[Soaring Feather]

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh no.. I have seen three or four names attributed to that poem. I have never taken the time to really research who wrote it. The first copy of this poem I ever saw said it was left on the steps of a church anonymously in the late 1800. I don't know what to believe. SO I should take some time and find out. Does the copyright mean he definitely wrote it?

[Soaring Feather]

Well, I just did a quick Google search and came up with what I posted to you. I think it's old and with a famous, author, myself.

[Soaring Feather]

This seems to be a controversy about the author.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I should have done this years ago... Look at this.. appears you are right..

HERE I never knew what it mean when a poem had a copyright. I never knew if you had to offer proof that it is original work in its entirety, I did notice a word here is different in different versions. Can you get a copyright for a poem if you didn't write it, but change the words?

[Soaring Feather]

Can you get a copyright for a poem if you didn't write it, but change the words?
I would say you had better not try, that's called plagiarism.Serious stuff, stealing someone's words then claiming to have written them.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

No not me.. I wonder if that has happened here.. I noticed that at the end of the poem there is the line.. be careful.. or be cheerful... so could this copyright be because this Max has changed a word.... or is the fact that he has the copyright proof he wrote it. See what I mean. I have always wondered.. just never taken the time, before now to really find out.

[Soaring Feather]

Sorry I did not mean you personally. I should have said, one had better not try.


Max was an attorney from what I have read.

Well, here's what I know for me, I copyright my work. That means I wrote it. There is another process one has to follow and have the copyright registered with the Library of Congress.



One can do a Google search on copyright issues.

[Soaring Feather]

A writer can recognize their words. I know my style of writing.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I thought I would ask a real life copyrighter while I ahd the chance.. but I Will do that bentfeather.. thanks. Have a good one. Just thought I would stop by and say hello. I see your thread every once in awhile and have always wanted to show you Pamela. Take care!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh,of course! I have many albums of poetry...which I have written. I have close to one hundred books of poetry which I have collected since I was about 10 years old. The thing is -if you took the names off of most of those poems... I think I could tell you who wrote what... I have studied poetry for many years. It is one of the joys of life, to read and write poetry and verse. Have a good one.See ya!

[Soaring Feather]

Aha, you do enjoy poetry then. :-)

Here's what I have learned and heard regarding copyrights; if one says something is copyrighted then it is. Followed up by the Library of Congress filing, of course. :-) Every poet writing on this thread or any other should copyright their work then and there.

I have heard this from writers groups I have been involved with.

[Soaring Feather]

Diva, thank you for coming by The Lair and posting the lovely graphic and work. I enjoyed our exchange. :-)

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh I have always loved poetry. Since I could first read. I don't show mine tho-
Hardly anyone has seen my writtings. It is just a hobby for me so I don't know much about publishing or copyrighting. I had a few things published when I was younger, but I didn't think about copyrighting at the time.. then I closed up the books for anyone else to see. Now I just read other people's writtings.

[Soaring Feather]

Let your little light shine, Diva. I would love to see your poetry.