Eddie,
I'm sorry that in the business of my life I have not frequented the Poetry forum. The infringement of your copyright piqued my interest and I searched out your work here on MS.

Your work is powerful. It is not surprising it has been plagiarized.

Friend, perhaps the plagiarism is a sign it is time for you to step it up and consider getting published or self-publishing.

Without question, you have a gift and a well-honed craft.

Keith

*

Thanks, Keith, I appreciate your kind words!

And yes, Gary, that's it exactly.

For those interested, here's the link to my poem here on MS that was lifted:

http://www.malesurvivor.org/board/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=160336&page=8

When I was in therapy for all the crap of the past, I was having a difficult time putting into words my thoughts on things. So the T suggested that I try to verbalize it to him in the first person. That didn't work. So then he suggested that I write it out. But that just felt clinical. Next, he suggested that I write it out in poetry form. That was a breakthrough moment for me because the words just flowed and flowed and flowed. I had found my voice. So to see that voice ripped off like this is very hurtful and makes it all seem cheapened.

Eddie,

Yes, by all means, it is upsetting. I've had it happen, except it was a song. The song was recorded and published under someone else's name, who also registered the copyright and ultimately collected the royalties. I learned a lesson.

Register your copyrights, "publish" your work with as many non-relative witnesses as possible, and publicize your ownership.

Your voice on this poem has not actually been stolen since you have taken action. Follow it through. It's a healing experience for survivors to defend their boundaries.

Register that poem and all the others today. It will be your own New Year's gift.

*

Eddie

I'm sorry about the plagiarism.

I know how it feels because I've had some of my photography stolen. I suppose I should have stirred up a fuss but I didn't.

Puffer