I don't think lurkers are counter to the mission statement. I think its fine. I lurk many other sites and never comment. You owe us nothing, so don't feel obligated to comment, but also don't be afraid to comment. I follow you, I'd be glad to hear what you have to say. For instance... I dig the poem.It could be just me, in which case I'll get and take what's coming to me, but hubski incubates a fucked up kind of performance anxiety in me. Right now I'm having a bit of an internal conflict about whether or not to just erase everything I wrote and remain silent.
It's not just you. I have friends that I consider very smart and capable people. They post prolifically on FB but are afraid to post on Hubski because they don't think it will be "good enough". It's a mixed bag, part of me thinks this is good and part of me thinks it's too much of a barrier to entry. But unlike you, most of these guys haven't spent time lurking and don't have a feel for the site.