Reviews from

Iambic is the Treachery I Speak

Don't trust the form - it'll fool you!

14 total reviews 
Comment from Rasp E
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Just catching up on some of what I missed. This is smooth the way good bourbon always is. You know? Mmmm, I envy those who can write sonnets. Not a talent I possess.

 Comment Written 15-May-2011


reply by the author on 16-May-2011
    Erica, I have no doubt you could write a sonnet, but I thank you for the compliment - I've never had my work compared to whisky before, and you've given me a huge smile :-)

    Mike
Comment from judy corcoran
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lol - as i said before - show off!!!
great write mike, glad i could inspire something :)

'and so the mind arrests the deeper dreams
in favour of the motion of the tongue' - very true

love judy

 Comment Written 09-May-2011


reply by the author on 10-May-2011
    Thank you, Judy :-). I couldn't resist writing a sonnet about the potential pitfalls of writing sonnets!

    Mike
Comment from Maxine Kendall
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Oh so very clever!
Just love your tell it like it is Sonnet.
The second stanza is a stand-out for me and is worthy of a six all by itself, but unfortunately it's late on a Friday - need I say more!
Also, love the couplet and totally agree. Without the 'art' of it all, what would writing be? Boring that's what!
Well done.
Maxine x

 Comment Written 06-May-2011


reply by the author on 08-May-2011
    Thank you, Maxine :-). I couldn;t resist the thought of writing a sonnet about the perils of writing sonnets!

    Mike
Comment from Judian James
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I have no sixers for you for a while yet, but this is superb. I love reading your sonnet about writing the perfect sonnet. Well done and smart as well.
"and so the mind arrests the deeper dreams
in favour of the motion of the tongue
that twists around the form to find no seams
and sighs unto the peers it swims among." I loved it!

 Comment Written 06-May-2011


reply by the author on 08-May-2011
    Thank you, JJ :-). As someone who grudgingly took to form after joining this site, I still like to be irreverent about it. The poetry's in the words for me - form is just another of the tools we employ. I'm so happy you liked it!

    Mike
reply by Judian James on 08-May-2011
    I agree with you completely but the challenge of forms somehow intrigues me at the same time, and I love a challenge!
reply by the author on 08-May-2011
    I can;t deny that restriction breeds creativity, and I love finding ways to utilise the characteristics of a form to accentuate the concepts I'm attempting to express.

    Mike
reply by Judian James on 08-May-2011
    I just bought Sally Yocom's book on Elements and Styles of Poetry. It's really quite amazing. I was shocked at how much like a text book it is and only $14.95. Impressive to say the least. Plus, across from every page describing a form and giving a superb example is a blank page for you to have a go, and write your own. You'd love this book Mike!
reply by the author on 08-May-2011
    What a great idea for a poetry book! That's like coursework, encouraging you to have a stab at each stage.
Comment from kiwigirl2821
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Holy smoking bottle Mike, I loved this! Not exactly sure why it resonated so strongly with me but it damn sure did...love it when that happens... now I've got to go find Judy's lol great work xoxo Kiwi

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 06-May-2011
    Thank you, my dear :-). I couldn't resist writing an iambic poem about iambic meter not being that great, especially after Judy's poem about trying to find the iambic vibe. I'm thrilled it worked so well for you!

    Mike
Comment from adewpearl
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iambic/beats, belting/becomes/built - great consonance of B sounds
excellent enjambment from stanza one to two.
Excellent verb choices, and, of course, steady iambic meter.
Strong rhymes - I especially like the pairing of treachery/soliloquy.
What a fascinating look at the poetic process, Mike, and in fine sonnet form :-) Brooke

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 06-May-2011
    Thank you, Brooke! Judy had written a poem about trying to write iambic meter, so I couldn't resist writing about how iambics aren't so great, iambically of course! She called me a show-off, lol :-). Guilty as charged ;-/

    Mike
Comment from Philip Shin
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Sometimes the man can be more blessed for lambic beats. The men have more skill for makiing the neck lace and such a thing. But the women is the symbol for making the lambic beats. The woman work at the lambic factory and the men love to say someday we can meet. Anyway The lambic is for skill and it is kind of sports to race with each other.I hope the woman can win over the skilled man.

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 06-May-2011
    Thank you, Philip. I'm glad you read so much into my poem :-)

    Mike
Comment from Keri353
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The picture goes well with the poem. Question: why are the first two paragraphs not in capitol letters but the last two are? I hate to be ignorant about poetry, so I had to ask.
Lines are not forced and story flows very well. Thanks so much for sharing.

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 08-May-2011
    Thank you, Keri. I write my poems as sentences, with capitals where I start one, rather than opening lines with them, or intentionally not doing so. I guess in poetry it's all a style choice :-)

    Mike
reply by Keri353 on 08-May-2011
    Ah, I see now. That is a great idea :)
Comment from sweetwoodjax
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this is very well written with good form and good flow, a great job writing this, i am not a master of iambic writing, every time i think i have it i don't so there are a lot of contests i cant' enter

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 06-May-2011
    I find it's a minset, and once it 'clicks', it can become very difficult to write any other way! Thank you so much for the review :-)

    Mike
Comment from Sasha
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Iambic, triambic and everything in between completely confuses me. This is both a fascinating, informative, and clever poem. I especially like the last stanza: For meter's only King if art is Queen, and free's the verse combining them unseen...now this I can relate to.

 Comment Written 05-May-2011


reply by the author on 06-May-2011
    Thank you, my friend :-). The closing couplet pretty much sums up my feelings on poetry. To me, the art must outweigh the craft, otherwise you're drawing a technical schematic and calling it impressionist.

    Mike