Our new web site is dedicated to those who are passionate about poetry. There are of course, many poetry sites on the internet - some good, some bad and some just a single page dedicated to one person's own offerings. Poetry Shared is different because you are both the poet and the publisher. As a member of our new community, you choose to share your work with the whole world and you directly post it onto the site without any editorial delay. And, of course, you are able to read and enjoy the work of all our other community members.

These pages are yours. You can write your thoughts and immediately publish them here. You are also encouraged to comment on and critique the work of others. It is said that 'No Man is an Island' and it is the case that only by a free exchange of views and opinions can we ever hope to learn how others see us.

Amateur poets are welcome - in truth, all of us are amateurs at some point. And please, don't be put off by the purists who will preach Iambic metres and line length and then ignore emotion and free expression. Feelings are the most important aspect of any artistic work.

I believe that poetry, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If a child gives you a sad bunch of wilting, wild flowers and proudly puts them in a jam jar on the kitchen window sill, if they please you, then they are beautiful and that is all that matters.

This then, is your poetry site. With your help we will make it the best poetry site on the web!

Jane Manning