Trolls abound on the Internet,
Creeping out of the dark, like moles.
The ones who lurk on poetry sites
Are better known as poetry trolls.

Poetry trolls attack other poets
With their combative analyses.
Their belligerent behavior
Borders on what might be a disease.

They often feel compelled to respond,
As though they have to give their two cents.
The pat they give themselves on the back
Must be a form of recompense.

Offering nonconstructive comments
Is one of their central attributes.
They think they're being insightful, but
Instead, they come off sounding like brutes.

Nasty, vicious, they seem to thrive
On looking for folks to demean or attack.
It's almost as though these people are trying
To compensate for something they lack.

Are their lives so miserable,
Or are they so deeply insecure
That showing restraint in commenting
Is more than these poor souls can endure?

In dealing with these crazy people,
Frankly, you simply cannot go wrong
If you ignore their comments and dump them
Into the trash can where they belong.

-by Bob B (1-19-22)