As of today I have completed one year of Gather membership. It took me a few weeks to get my feet wet. The "Best Love story Ever Contest" sucked me in. I casually read one story and then I was hooked and had to read all twenty finalists. Edward Nudelman won it! Since then I have joined many groups, started my own groups, connected with hundreds of members, made some amazing new friends, and have so far redeemed points for $125 worth of gift cards. I have six pages of articles, five pages of images , and 133 pages of comments.
To mark my anniversary I am republishing my first Gather gush poem because I still feel the same way about the wonder of this website. I am grateful for the supportive interactive nature of this site and for the encouragement I have received and have been able to give to fellow writers and artists. Thank you Gather!
Gather is a Feast
Feeling peckish for a nosh, a tasty bite, a tidbit?
Gather round hungry hounds and at the table sit
Feast your eyes, a lavish spread ~ a gorgeous smorgasbord
Grab your napkin; bow your head, this meal you can afford
Delicacies of literacy, photography and art
Steamy streams of consciousness, stories from the heart
Raise your glass, let's have a toast:
To recipes, we love the most
To politics, religion, travel, and haiku,
Editor's picks, tags and tricks, members old and new
Fill the teapot, pour the joe
Constant Comment, Orange Pekoe
For dessert ~ creme de la creme
You may get back what you put in
Lick the frosting off the cake
What you get is what you take
And do not hesitate to rate
The work you think is really great
Random musings you are choosing
Fiction flashing, fashion, schmoozing
Use your noggin
Come on log in
Gather is a feast!
copyright 2006, J. Hersh




Comments: 15
Encountering this poem again, remembering your elegant first line drawing icon of a face back then, these elegant sophisticated rhymes of delight and invitation that embraced the Gather community, now I can envision a fuller picture of Jan Hersh author, poet, dancer and celebrator of life's smallest pleasures, which more than amply confirms the enchanting first impression I first had.
Jan, you have helped make my Gather experience an unforgettable one and this year unforgettable with your verses, photos, comments, and kindnesses.
I am so glad you are here, and as vibrant and celebratory as ever!
Thanks Barbra, John, and Michelle!
Cheers, lovely lady!
Laura, you are love personified and hope that we can all celebrate these anniversaries face-to-face here in California before the year is over.
Thanks for showing, Amy, Joanne, Mugg, and Madame Donna!