Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)

Excellent

Quite the ladies man, huh? I didn't know there was a poet's corner. Lots of good information in this one. Well done, my friend~Debbie

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016

Hi Debbie,

I haven't researched to see who all is buried there, but from my prologue notes, Chaucer is buried in Westminster Abbey's Poet's Corner, too. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.

Kim

Comment from Leineco

Excellent

You have mired Hardy's poem beautifully here :-)
Though seen from the viewers mind instead of from
his perspective you achieve the same sense of "who
is she?"

Very nicely done "-)

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2016

Hi Leineco,

I could find nothing in his biography to allude to who Amabel might have been. That curiosity was the kernel to prompt me to write this poem. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

Kim

Comment from Helen Bach

Excellent

Fascinating stuff. I wondered too who might Amabel be? It was published in 1898 when he was married to his first wife. So he would be 58 when it was published. Perhaps Amabel didn't die but married another and his anguish came from loving his wife. His second wife was nearly forty years his junior so he was clearly quite active even as an older man. His poetry and novels how a preoccupation with complicated love.
Your poem was great fun and a fitting tribute to an influential writer. I recall 'Tess' being a book we studied at school. Amabel is an unusual name perhaps she was a Mabel? X

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2016

Hi Helen,

You might be on to something with the "Mabel" theory, though I did a lot of reading, an don't recall any Mabel's either. I got the impression that he let the ladies turn his head though, even when married. Hopefully he was discreet, though, it was said he was notorious for liking the younger ladies, so he couldn't have been that discreet lol Especially marrying one 40 years younger. From his poetry, he spent the rest of his life lamenting his dead wife. So sad he didn't appreciate her when she was alive.

Thanks for a great review!

Kim

Comment from honeytree

Excellent

The art work is great
for these words written
A lot of thought when writing this poem
Great to read and written well.

Honeytree

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2016

Hi Annie!

I loved the artwork, too, and ironically, found it after I wrote the poem. I just knew she had to be Amabel.

Thanks for the grand review.

Kim

Comment from lightink

Excellent

LOL! I love this little gossipy and modernized version! So lively, also, in certain ways much more kind to Anabel than Hardy! You portrayed her in her full glamour! She deserved that after what HE write of her!
So good! Especially the tattoo was a nice touch! :)

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2016

I couldn't think of anything that would be more scandalous than that (that they could possibly see lol) for the day and age. Thanks for another great review! Told you I was having fun! ;)

*hugs*

Kim

reply by lightink on 09-Apr-2016

It shows ;)!

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Kim,

I liked this poem very much and since I love history, I enjoyed the notes very much, too. My only question is with the word choice of 'fay', meaning 'fairy', I think, as opposed to 'fey' - 'Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality'. Just curious. Probably just me!

Thanks for sharing!

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016

Hi Robyn,

I'll will take at look at that :) fey might be a better fit, as you suggested. Thanks for the comment, I'll check it out!

Kim

Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

That old goat. I'm sure he didn't age a day as Amabel got old and gray. Puts me in mind of some guys I know. Of course they never wrote 947
poems...your recap is excellent...

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016

Thanks LIJ :) I was just having a bit of fun! I'm happy you enjoyed it!

Kim

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

This captured my interest immediately, for I lived for several years in and around Wessex and have read all of Hardy's novels and quite a bit of his poetry. Your author notes were interesting background. The poem itself has something of the quality of a Gazal, with its repeating refrain, which you twist and turn with great artistry. I imagine that this will be a star turn at the Poetry Bash. It has potential for marvelously humorous inflection when read aloud!

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016

Hi Tony:

I was just having a bit of fun with the history I found. I enjoyed his poem, "Amabel," and it made me wonder who she was. I couldn't find anything in his history to tell me that secret, so I simply made it up lol :)

Thanks for a lovely review and my apologies to Mr. Hardy and Amabel.

Kim

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Your choice of artwork is awesome. Your lines flow well with an interesting story to tell. The words and art make a compelling piece.

The author notes are so informative. I like reading them. I learn so much from them, too. Thomas Hardy wrote "Far From the Maddening Crowd' , right?

Good job and thanks for sharing.

Your book is/will be awesome.

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016

Hi Janny,

Yes, he did write Far From the Maddening Crowd. :) I had some fun with this piece. Ironically, I went to find a piece of artwork after writing this (I went to pixabay, my lastest favorite place for that) and typed in blonde beauty... she came up at the top of the first page. My mind went... well, there she is, Amabel. :)

Thanks for the great review.

Kim

Comment from terry drake

Exceptional

Well this was more than delightful, it was great! I saw the comparison to Hardy's poem; but I feel you did a better job. Most probably because your language has been modernized as is more fitting for our time. I can't deny your research and clever adaptation to the original poem deserves praise.

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2016

Hi Terry,

Thank you for the fun comments. I am honored by this exceptional six star rating. It was just a bit of fun on my part :)
I appreciate you taking the time to read and review.

Kim