Dear Writers and Readers,
We noticed some less-than-exemplary behavior on Prose today, which forced us to take action against some users. This is a gentle reminder that, while we try to remain as uncensored as possible, some forms of content are simply intolerable. Please note the following passage from our Terms of Service, under Prohibited Content:
Content that is unlawful, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, indecent, lewd, suggestive, harassing, threatening, abusive, inflammatory, fraudulent or otherwise objectionable, or invasive of privacy or publicity rights;
In today’s case, harassment was the keyword. We have taken steps to punish infringing users, and prevent future infringements. Note that we will not be adjudicating arguments, disagreements, or squabbles between users, unless we deem the language used to be grossly abusive or inflammatory.
1. We have added a report button to all posts. You’ll find the button in the lower-right options menu (indicated by an ellipsis icon) of every post. If you encounter a post that violates the Terms of Service, please report it.
2. We have instituted a temporary posting restriction policy against first-time offenders. If we find that you have been harassing folks, spamming, or posting any other sort of Prohibited Content, you will be prevented from posting, commenting, and sending messages for a minimum of three days. Repeat offenders will be permanently banned.
3. We have added an internal feature to remove offensive posts. Posts that violate our Terms of Service, or that provoke grossly abusive or toxic comment threads, will be marked as such and removed after 24 hours. During that period, commenting on such posts will be disabled.
Refer to Section 10 of our Terms of Service for all forms of Prohibited Content: https://theprose.com/p/legal/terms
Happy Writes,
The Prose Team
You are Very Kind—
Truly paper rules my Life
Its tooth & texture
I have loved—
as a maker of
scrap paper
on which
I scratch up
loose leaf
and rhyme;
A strange filigree
front & back
inscribed
on a crumple of
ever changing time.
I am towed
by the lines
of this paper trail
which my own wind
scatters without fail &
Should you find a dollar
—you are very kind!
No need to ask at all—
Fold it like an origami dove
and cache it as a Sign
amid important docs
for some crucial
future moment
in ordinary time.
Keep it—
I assure you
it isn't one of mine.
#WhatDoesADollarMeanToYou #Challenge #FreeVerse
The difference...
A dollar means the world to me. It is the difference between going hungry and eating a snack. The difference between getting a new game, and waiting for my next holiday for gifts. The difference between having freedom with what I buy and being constricted to asking my parents and having them approve.
Value
The years echoed
In the voices
Of my grandparents
When they recalled
"I remember when
Five cents bought..."
It was my cost
For the quarter
They gave to me
"Remember when
Gas was less than...?"
Dad would remark
To mom, before
Handing me my
Weekly allowance
Seventy five cents
Which I spent
Thirsty for
Heartthrob news
On "Teen Magazine"
Quarters
Change
Times
Change
Empty DOLLAR$
Dirty disgusting dollars
Just a medium of exchange
Pieces of paper without value
Why do so many give control
Over their hearts and souls?
How many men and women
Have sacrificed themselves for you?
Chasing after rainbows of gold
Believing that possessing dollars
Buys love, friendship, love and happiness
Only to discover the reality
That it steals away those things
Of genuine value
Where it is never enough
An endless hunger
Ruining lives
With endless greed
For a dollar
(c) BAM
Waitress
"Good, now my baby has more lunch money," said Tracie to herself as she picked up the five dollar bill her customer left on the table. "All I need now is money for the electric bill." She owed a past due balance of thirty-two dollars. Her paycheck had already been spent on rent and a few other household expenses.
Tracie eyed the clock. The dinner rush would be underway soon. She hoped to pay a few more bills, get more lunch money for her son, and maybe have some extra cash to treat herself. It was a matter of the dance between herself and the patrons going well.
"Good evening," she would say with a smile. "Can I offer you something to drink?"
If the customers looked up at her that was a good sign. They would leave a tip. If they smiled at her, it would be a bigger tip. If she thought of something funny to say and they laughed, then the tip might actually be worth the time she spent on her aching feet.
Anything for a buck.