The Rhyme of the Scraper

I.

Here is a rhyme

for this troubled time,

when a scourge operates a scraping bot

and steals people's stories, a lot!

II.

Thinks he’s coy

acting like an immature boy.

But we’re onto you!

Yes, that’s true.

III.

Play all you want.

Go ahead and taunt.

Many voices you violate

But your comeuppance we’ll gladly wait.

IV.

You’re just a hack

Prestige you’ll never get back.

Reports have been made.

Infractions will be your failing grade.

V.

You’ll probably steal this poem

due to your scraper’s indiscriminate roam.

Won’t filter this jabbing stuff.

And boy, life will get rough.

VI.

Let the writers write

And stop taking a bite.

Such talent is not you.

Yes, that’s true.

Story Behind the Poem

Several years ago, a person joined Hubpages. His intent was not to write stories. Instead, he wanted to steal as many article he could get a hold of.

He discovered there was a grace period between the time an article is sent to be publish, and when it was actually published. During this period, he struck. He took the stolen material and placed it on his own blog. In addition, he made sure to remove the writers' name. I doubt if he read the articles.

Writers were frustrated. Articles they had just sent to be published were suddenly labeled as "copied" and they had to plea with administrators that there was no way they plagiarized an article they had just written.

The plagiarist in question was discovered. He was sloppy and eventually his site was shut down. Still, it left a lot of bitterness among the writers whose work were stolen before they could complete the publishing process.

As for this poem? Yes, it was plagiarized by him.