Another dilemma...need advice- esp' from longtime Dopers and Mods

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Ok, I have been seriously considering posting one of my own (if not my best) poems on here, to share with the ladies.
I noticed a few others here have done the same, and thought it might be nice to reveal a softer side of my myself. The poem I have in mind is extremely special and personal to me. I consider it to my best work, to-date. Only two people have ever read it in the six years it has been written.

I have a phobia about putting my work online, anywhere. I have written some works specifically for online use, but they are only silly jokes and have no deep personal value such as this poem does. I would really hate to be “plagarized” by some dufus. Yes, I have read the disclaimer on SDMB about copyright info. However, according to the disclaimer, if I were to post my poetry, wouldn’t it become the property of the Chicago Reader to do with as they please? Besides, couldn’t some websurfing schmuck c&p it from here and take it as their own? How would anyone know?

I don’t know what to do. Should I post my poetry or not? I really would love to share, but I must go with a saying that I heard once: “When there is doubt, there is no doubt.” Unfortunately, I feel I should not post it. What do you Dopers think?

My apologies if this belongs in a different forum, but I felt it should go in MPSIMS since it is more about my feelings about my poetry, than ATMB.

2

write the poem by hand, sign the poem. Scan the paper and make it into a JPEG. Put the picture on your own website. Then just put a link to it on the message baord. It could still be copied but it would take much more effort.

3

I’m not really sure I can give you any advice. You seem to have covered the consequences of posting it pretty well. It appears to me what remains is a personal decision.

This has happened here at least once to my knowledge. As far as the Reader using posts from this board, the only instances of that I’m aware of are for Cecil’s books.

4

mblackwell’s suggestion also negates the problem of sharing copyright with the Reader.

5

No. It’s still your property, but they can use it as they see fit.

Sure. However, if it’s any consolation, there’s very little violation of what’s on the web.

Someone would have to inform you. Your course of actions depends on whether you registered the copyright or not.

6

I’m a newbie, but I offer my perspective anyway.

I wouldn’t post it on any SDMB. Given that you seem to be very worried about it and sensitive, it would make for excellent troll bait–and I suspect you’d be wounded if someone did try to mess with you about it.

I’d do as mblackwell suggested.