Welcome to OpenLinkNight everyone! My name is Brian Miller and I will be your host this evening for our 30th week. Verse is no doubt already flying around the room and I will explain how this works if you will indulge me for a few minutes.

While in college, I was the victim of two break ins. Both occurred while I was at home. One, I repelled the invader as he was coming through the window, the other not so much. Two men pushed through me into the townhome and one watched over me, while the other searched the property.

In the end, they took one thing, a list of names and telephone numbers that was posted on the wall. Thankfully, I was not hurt in either and the damage was minimal. But I doubt seriously anyone would say it is no big deal for someone to break into your home and take something that belongs to you.

That being said, just this week several poets that frequent the pub had poems taken from their blogs by another poetry site and posted in an attempt to garner poems for a self published book they were putting together. One of the comments back when they were asked to be removed was “what is the big deal?”

Well, it is a fairly big deal when something is taken without permission. Depending on copyright, it is against the law. It also can get in the way when you are trying to publish material, if the parameters dictate it can not be previously published outside of your personal blog.

I won’t go into all the fine details on copyright as I am not here to give legal advice, I will just say don’t take without asking. I can not think of any reason why an upfront conversation is not had prior to taking someone’s work. If you want to honor them, ask first.

Alright, if I have not scared you off with that come on in, let’s get down to business. Here is how this works:

• Post a poem on any topic to your blog,
• Link in the poem you’d like to share (1 per blog, please) by clicking on the Mr.Linky button just below.
• This opens a new screen where you’ll enter your information, and where you also choose links to read. Once you have pasted your poem’s blog url and entered your name, simply click submit.
• Don’t forget to let your readers know where you’re linking up and encourage them to participate by including a link to dVerse in your blog post.
• Visit as many other poems as you like, commenting as you see fit. Chances are if you comment on others they will comment on you. Funny how that works.
• Remember, we’re here for each other. Engage your fellow poets, talk, chat, comment, let them know their work is being read, and enjoy the input you also will receive. Feel free to tweet and share on the social media of your choice.
• Finally, enjoy–this is poetry alive.