Penmanship
When writing looked beautiful9 total reviews
Comment from Eleri
This is all so true. As a teacher of adults I have found that many can hardly write at all as they use a PC on a permanent basis. When it comes to writing for an exam they are lost and what they produce is often almost impossible to read. With regard to the poem, the alternate rhyming is good and the poem is easy to understand, which I love. Some poetry is so undemocratic you need a PhD in English Literature to understand it. The only thing that I feel could be improved upon slightly is the rhythm in some of the lines. For example, 'were the many books of country life' seems one beat too long - I would have left out the 'the', and the first two lines of the last stanza read a bit odd to me. Nevertheless I do like this poem and the sentiment behind it
Eleri
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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This is all so true. As a teacher of adults I have found that many can hardly write at all as they use a PC on a permanent basis. When it comes to writing for an exam they are lost and what they produce is often almost impossible to read. With regard to the poem, the alternate rhyming is good and the poem is easy to understand, which I love. Some poetry is so undemocratic you need a PhD in English Literature to understand it. The only thing that I feel could be improved upon slightly is the rhythm in some of the lines. For example, 'were the many books of country life' seems one beat too long - I would have left out the 'the', and the first two lines of the last stanza read a bit odd to me. Nevertheless I do like this poem and the sentiment behind it
Eleri
Comment Written 25-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Eleri,
Thanks for taking time to read and review my poem. Thanks also for your suggestions. I will seriously consider them. Yes I too have problems with some poetry. Much too complicated for me and I lose interest. Each to their own I suppose.
Take care and have a great day.
Regards
Barry
Comment from harmony13
The author's words rhyme well. The author's words are so true,
interesting, descriptive and creative. I pondered on the these words and
found them to be the ways things are today! Everything I sign recently is
basically scribbled! Thank you for the author's notes - I miss having the writing skill! The artwork is awesome and compliments this poem.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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The author's words rhyme well. The author's words are so true,
interesting, descriptive and creative. I pondered on the these words and
found them to be the ways things are today! Everything I sign recently is
basically scribbled! Thank you for the author's notes - I miss having the writing skill! The artwork is awesome and compliments this poem.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Harmony,
Glad you liked my poem and thanks for taking the time to do a review. Yes it seems that scribbling is the way of writing now. I suffer from the same malady.
Take care and have a wonderful day .
Cheers
Barry Penfold.
Comment from zanya
The final two lines are an excellent summation of the vanishing world of penmanship, an art, it would appear, that like many other aspects of our modern world is on the way to becoming extinct, so to speak. Has my vote
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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The final two lines are an excellent summation of the vanishing world of penmanship, an art, it would appear, that like many other aspects of our modern world is on the way to becoming extinct, so to speak. Has my vote
Comment Written 24-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Wow,
Thanks for the six star review and the vote in the competition. Yes, it is sad but true, that the art of writing is almost gone. Please take care and have a wonderful day in any event.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment from tempeste
Ciao mystery poet, you now have 5 votes !
I like the unusual topic.
My father had beautiful handwriting slated to the right and the capitals had swirls....... very stylish yet still clear to read.
Today I don't think kids know how to handwrite..at the most they can print.
Also, too many everyday words are being reduced into shorter versions... soon the younger generations wont know even how to spell.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Ciao mystery poet, you now have 5 votes !
I like the unusual topic.
My father had beautiful handwriting slated to the right and the capitals had swirls....... very stylish yet still clear to read.
Today I don't think kids know how to handwrite..at the most they can print.
Also, too many everyday words are being reduced into shorter versions... soon the younger generations wont know even how to spell.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Thanks for the vote. Yes, it is an unusual topic and somewhat sad. The art of writing is fading away. I used to work in a Court House which recorded all the Births and Deaths and Marriages. Volumes of Records all done in a beautiful style. Those were the days.
Take care and have a wonderful day.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Lovely flowing and rhyming verse with a great message that resonates so well with me. When I was at school many decades ago, my form teacher independently opted to teach the class italic writing. We had special pens of course and the necessary instruction (taking up valuable school learning time!) and by the end of the year were all writing beautifully. The problem was that, when it came to taking national exams, we were all too slow, so instructed by the head to un-learn everything - complete shambles! But I still value good handwriting and love to see it done by lawyers etc. Well done on this fine, relatable verse and good luck! Debbie
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Lovely flowing and rhyming verse with a great message that resonates so well with me. When I was at school many decades ago, my form teacher independently opted to teach the class italic writing. We had special pens of course and the necessary instruction (taking up valuable school learning time!) and by the end of the year were all writing beautifully. The problem was that, when it came to taking national exams, we were all too slow, so instructed by the head to un-learn everything - complete shambles! But I still value good handwriting and love to see it done by lawyers etc. Well done on this fine, relatable verse and good luck! Debbie
Comment Written 23-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Debbie,
Thanks for writing the review and I am so glad you enjoyed the poem. Yes, I once also could do the italic writing. But alas it was not practical for the "modern" world. Love your story about the exams.
Take care and have a great day.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.
Comment from JSD
Hmm. I sort of agree but like many I have forgotten how to write. Look, I'm typing now! And that's not so bad as I had awful handwriting, even though taught in a traditional way at school. Anyway, a good, well-written rhyming poem. Well done.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Hmm. I sort of agree but like many I have forgotten how to write. Look, I'm typing now! And that's not so bad as I had awful handwriting, even though taught in a traditional way at school. Anyway, a good, well-written rhyming poem. Well done.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Thanks for the review and I am glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I too have pretty awful handwriting and typing is my saviour. Have a great day and take care.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Ohhh, how you are singing my song with this one!! NO ONE is taught cursive anymore in our state!! (NY) My students, when I write their assignments into their folder, [I teach private voice, flute and piano lessons in people's homes] must have everything PRINTED in order for them to be able to read it!!! I can calligraphy and used to offer, as part of their wedding gift, to do a couple's invitation envelopes for them. Not any more; no one would be able to read them. In fact, would you believe, one time, in the post office, I handed the clerk a letter I just needed mailed, and he asked, "What's THIS word?" "WEST!" I said to him, flabbergasted. "Oh. I can't read cursive," he explained. "I'm a Millenial." I said, "I would think you'd need to be able to do that for your job."
OY!!!
Anyway, GREAT rhyming scheme here and wonderful, flowing rhythm. You did an artistic job with this entry. I hope it makes it to the Winner's Circle!
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Ohhh, how you are singing my song with this one!! NO ONE is taught cursive anymore in our state!! (NY) My students, when I write their assignments into their folder, [I teach private voice, flute and piano lessons in people's homes] must have everything PRINTED in order for them to be able to read it!!! I can calligraphy and used to offer, as part of their wedding gift, to do a couple's invitation envelopes for them. Not any more; no one would be able to read them. In fact, would you believe, one time, in the post office, I handed the clerk a letter I just needed mailed, and he asked, "What's THIS word?" "WEST!" I said to him, flabbergasted. "Oh. I can't read cursive," he explained. "I'm a Millenial." I said, "I would think you'd need to be able to do that for your job."
OY!!!
Anyway, GREAT rhyming scheme here and wonderful, flowing rhythm. You did an artistic job with this entry. I hope it makes it to the Winner's Circle!
Comment Written 23-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Rachelle,
Thanks for your review. Wow, you are a rare one in that you can do and read calligraphy. It used to be such a wonderful way to "brighten" up a message. Your Post Office story is a classic.
Keep smiling and the poem picked up 6 votes. Not enough for a win but hey I did enjoy writing it.
Take care.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment from WendyLea
Ah, this poem took me back to my childhood and the emphasis on good penmanship. Indeed, handwriting has definitely changed. I look back at the beautiful writings of our founding fathers and am in awe of their mastery. Thank you for sharing your ideas. This was a great poem!
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Ah, this poem took me back to my childhood and the emphasis on good penmanship. Indeed, handwriting has definitely changed. I look back at the beautiful writings of our founding fathers and am in awe of their mastery. Thank you for sharing your ideas. This was a great poem!
Comment Written 23-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Wendy,
Thanks so much for reviewing my poem. Yes indeed there was some beautiful writing back in the days of my grandfather and father. Alas, the modern world has moved along and we all do our version of handwriting. I am glad I can type.
Take care and have a great day.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
In Victorian times, people were employed for their penmanship for legal documents all written by hand and they are now prized for their artwork.
Just one suggestion for this line:
(penned) with a flowing hand
Good luck with the contest, I enjoyed the sentiments, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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In Victorian times, people were employed for their penmanship for legal documents all written by hand and they are now prized for their artwork.
Just one suggestion for this line:
(penned) with a flowing hand
Good luck with the contest, I enjoyed the sentiments, love Dolly x
Comment Written 23-Jul-2023
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023
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Dolly, Thanks for the review and the suggestion. I did use it. Yes, the legal profession were great exponents of classic writing. I used to work in a Court House where all the Births Deaths and Marriages were recorded. Volume upon volume of wonderful writing. Gone now. All on computers.
Have a great day and take care.
Cheers
Barry Penfold.