Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig...
I figure I might be missing your blind contest writings... and peeked in your portfolio, more for enjoyment than deep contemplation. This story in a poem leading to a punchline entertained me, and I didn't really pause.

did not know his ding from his dong.
(I got a solid chuckle here... very amusing)

"I'm sorry(,) sir, I was not privy to that,
(cause I can't help myself... that direct addressment comma)

but I'm certain his face rang a bell."
(Ha! punny... a nice spin on using the idiom ring a bell)

 Comment Written 21-May-2017

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reply by the author on 21-May-2017

Hi Turtle,

I don't think you've missed much. This was my first member-sponsored contest since I got back, although I have done entries for a couple of site ones.

Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad it gave you a chuckle.

Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is indeed a shaggy dog story, although I wasn't quite sure what one was until I read a few entries. Yours is the cleverest because it's humorous and makes some semblance of sense. Good job. I enjoyed reading it. Marilyn

 Comment Written 17-May-2017

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reply by the author on 17-May-2017

Thank you for the kind comments - I'm glad you found it funny :)

Comment from Rasmine

Excellent

Well, I don't see any copying. There are people who will look for the nitty gritty and then blow it out of proportion. If it's unknown and a very old joke, I think that it is up for grabs. law I think gives the public access if the writer is dead or it's over 100 years, not sure on that.

 Comment Written 11-May-2017

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reply by the author on 11-May-2017

I have based poems before on stories and folklore that I didn't invent, as have a great many poets - I don't think anything is wrong with that. Apparently some do, so to be totally open, I put in a note about it. It's not an apology. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

reply by Rasmine on 11-May-2017

I know, I saw that. We can write poems based on other stories and stuff. You did well. :)

reply by the author on 11-May-2017

Thanks :)

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Hahahaha!
OMG, if this does not win the contest then there is simply no justice in contests here at FanStory at all, which I am beginning to suspect is the case anyhow.
It's wonderfully well rhymed, well told, and simply hilarious.

I wish I had a six left to award you for your outstanding achievement here.
I can do one thing for you, however. I can be sure to vote for you come time to vote.

"His face rang a bell..." Priceless, heh-heh...

 Comment Written 11-May-2017

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reply by the author on 11-May-2017

Thanks so much for the lovely comments, Dean. I'm glad it gave you a laugh :)

reply by Dean Kuch on 11-May-2017

You're very welcome. :)

Comment from Nikki-Nicole

Excellent

VERY GOOD poem.
It tells a good story and has rhyme.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
Thanks for sharing your Shaggy Dog Poetry.
Good luck with your future writing.
-Nicole-

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

Thanks very much for the kind review and good wishes.

Comment from ~Dovey

Excellent

All of that for... the punchline... wait for it... "his face rang a bell" lol
I didn't count the words, but I'm sure you must have to be contest compliant. You did a great job of writing a ramble in loose abcb rhyme over several stanzas all to come up with that punchline. I tripped a couple of times reading through the stanzas, but I think that it was more because I wanted it to be abab rhyme instead. The stanzas I enjoyed the most told of Hope and Michael and even included some internal rhyme.

Thanks for sharing, I had a laugh!

Good luck in the contest!

Kim

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

Loose rhyme? It's the accent, I tell you. When are you going to lose it? Glad it gave you a laugh, and thanks for reviewing.

Comment from Thomas Bowling

Excellent

Very funny through out. I've heard the joke before, but not in poetic form. Good job. But ge real, who can rhyme anything with Strathclyde?

I applaud you.

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

Thanks very much for the great review. I'm working on rhyming something with "orange" for my next one.

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Shaggy Dog Poem. The poor bell-ringer died and can't be replaced. The only one that came close to replace the original bell-ringer had a terrible accident. Maybe the church should modernize and get an electric bell-ringer.

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

I suppose they should get rid of the pipe organ too? Heaven forbid! Thank you for your review, much appreciated.

Comment from JanPerry

Excellent

The timing follows that of a limerick, it has several in fact. I enjoy the humour, it sounds professional. Is it a copy?
It looks like there is no one sane enough to do the job! Good fun on every line.

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

The story of the bell ringer, and the punch line, are a popular shaggy dog tale. To my knowledge, it hasn't been presented as a poem before, and the details - like the other people in the story, I made up. Thanks for reviewing.

reply by JanPerry on 10-May-2017

oh, so it's a story and you turned it into a poem? A novel idea.

reply by the author on 10-May-2017

Thanks for the lovely compliment - but it's not really all that novel. Pretty much any work of art is telling or retelling a story, whether it be true, fiction or legend. A bit like Banjo wrote the Man From Snowy River based on a story. Or they made a movie for Bill Murray about a story of a groundhog. So my taking 5 words and turning them into a 400 word story in a poem isn't really all that unusual.

Comment from Hitcher

Exceptional

Ha ha, now that my friend was funny, still laughing : ) so I guess you could say you did a fine job, except I didn't think it was too long or longer than necessary. I think you did a awesome job of the length and the quality. A contender for sure in my book. Loved it!!

 Comment Written 10-May-2017

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reply by the author on 10-May-2017

Thanks so much for the lovely review, and the generous six stars! Glad it gave you a chuckle :)