Comment from Kenneth Schaal

Excellent

Willie's probably didn't do all that hot in his day either, though he found a comfortable English meter for them to read. Well writ, and good luck. Kenny

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Nov-2014

Thanks, Kenny.

Steve

Comment from Eric1

Excellent

This is a beautifully penned sonnet and a wonderful submission for this Shakespearean competion, your chosen word work really well with great use of description, wonderful imagery and a lovely rhyme and rhythm, good luck in the contest my friend.

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Nov-2014

Thanks, Eric.

Couldn't quite make it in the contest this time.

Steve

reply by Eric1 on 25-Nov-2014

Condolences Steve.

Comment from mfowler

Excellent

Great sonnet, s. Your words as poet could not win the lady, but your honest heart to heart contact will. I like how you build such a simple notion as rejected poems with the allsuions to archaic deliverers of letters and message ie What footman, groom or valet apt as these
Obliging servants poised at my command?...the whole idea of wooing with poetry so fits the Shakesperean times that it gives your language style validation in this context. Your sonnet skills are peerless, so I won't waste your time building those up. I will say that you will be there when the whips are cracking in the final straight of voting (pardon the racetrack talk)

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Nov-2014

Thanks, Mark!

There when the whips were cracking, but perhaps I couldn't flay the poor beast quite hard enough - third by a couple of noses....

No what happened to your Jacaranda sonnet? Don't tell me it was disqualified and please don't tell me it was because of the violet....

Steve

reply by mfowler on 25-Nov-2014

Violet, yes. I went over by a syllable, even though I've always said vil-let. You could say I fell on my syllable. I let them know what I felt, but then learned seven others were put out too. Fell sorry for the poets, but poor Yeltel took it hardest. She does a great job setting them up and encouraging us. Shame that such a wonderful contest was sullied. The voters sorted it out in the end. You did well but those votes are real lotteries.

Comment from Lovinia

Exceptional

Hi Mystery Writer

A splendid sonnet with superb wit. Possibly the winner! Though there are some fine poems here. I've enjoyed reading the entries for the contest ... a difficult choice. I love your metaphor ... especially as it delves into the second verse ... ahh then rejection ... love the concluding couplet especially the last line. Bravo! There is a ring of familiarity in your poetic voice ... I just can't put my finger on it. lol I wish you the best of luck in the contest. You show yourself to be a true Master of this form. Smiles- Lovinia xoxox

 Comment Written 24-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thanks, Lovinia.

Are you saying my voice rings a bell? :O)

I see you've already got your name down for the next sonnet contest!

Steve

reply by Lovinia on 27-Nov-2014

Hi Sreve

LOL I was thinking I know this writing ... your voice rang ... my light went on. YES it was YOU!! I thought you would win.

Sonnets ... so hard. I was disqualified from the last one ... heheh ... worse, I had four votes ... and a lot of four stars.

Just trying again to keep you sonneteers on your toes. LOL

Of course I was the first to enter ... and still pushing the pen. Seems I stress the words back to front from everyone else. LOL Why can't they write the stressed/distressed in the dictionary? I've enjoyed the process as quite a challenge. I think I'm more a free verse writer... though who knows??? Take care - have a great week-end. Hugs - Lovi xoxo

reply by the author on 27-Nov-2014

I always think I have the winner, and although the idiot voters didn't get it last time, I'll definitely be on top of the pile this time. I've just got to get some words on paper.... :O)

I'll take a look at yours today too and check out all those back-to-fron words!

Steve

reply by Lovinia on 27-Nov-2014

I thought you had it in the bag, as usual. lol Ray came leaping out from behind. I think I missed reviewing his. Yikes. I'm not even sure if I've reviewed yours yet. Much harder to review now that I know how much I don't know. lol I think I can judge a good one when I see it though. Best of luck ... I'm hoping to have no back-to-front stressors. Hugs - Lovi xoxo

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi,

Nice sonnet with simple yet effective formatting in a whimsical presentation.

Good job. Good luck in the contest.

Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'... Jax (*.*)

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thank you!

Steve

Comment from Eternal Muse

Exceptional

Brilliant! I am so glad it is Sunday and I have more sixes to give.

Supremely original and so very Shakespearean, starting with Willie's face l(lol).

I like your metaphor of words as servants. That stanza is my favorite. How well you described the effects of the words of poetry:

"They coax, cajole, control and weave a spell."
.
And they do a lot more, that's what makes poetry powerful.

Romantic, witty, humorous, frivolous and so much more - your poem is an absolute delight.

Thank you for joining us with this unique offering.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thank you, Yelena.

Just couldn't quite coax, cajole and control the voters!!

Steve

reply by Eternal Muse on 26-Nov-2014

Steve, what are voters? An ignorant mob (lol). You know how much I love your work. This sonnet was brilliant and goes above and beyond many of its genre.

I still remember your "Woodsman" sonnet that shook my entire texture.

By the way, I created another Shakesperean sonnet prompt and this time I am monitoring it, because the contest committee disqualifed 7 entries last time, and for nonsentical reasons. It was a real massacre (lol). People were quite upset.

So you can jump on the bandwagon again if you'd like.

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thank you - you flatter me too much, I think.

I did notice the massacre - unbelievable to whittle the field down by half! One I noticed was mfowler's lovely sonnet which was sent from the room for counting 'violet' as two syllables...

Steve

Comment from Carole Rosa

Excellent

To the author of "Servant's Words", This is an interesting cartoon to enhance a Shakespearean poem. Your poem is nicely done. The lines that touched me were, "All ice, your heart, or else you mean to tease, To mock my humble scribblings, meant to soar." Sad. He must have been heartbroken. Good luck in the contest. Carole

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thanks, Carole.

Steve

Comment from gypsymoth

Excellent

It puzzles me how you can even think in this style, letalone,
write. Nicely done, you decided to cut to the chase and get
her alone.
Gypsymoth

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thank you!

Steve

Comment from Dawny53

Excellent

Excellent writing.. I thought you did everything very well, I stumbled just a bit in the second stanza.. thought you may have come off the rhythm just a bit with the second line there. Not enough to come away from the entire piece being really great though. Well done

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thank you!

Steve

Comment from Smoothiecool

Excellent

good luck in the contest

your words allow the reader to see that while your loving words flow free there is no response to them

good visual

good enjambment to allow flow through out sentences allows flow

good rhyme through out verses not forced

good metre

good use "S" "M" "R" "B" "L" consonance

good use "E" "O" assonance

cheers Smoothiecool

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Nov-2014

Thanks for the kind words.

No luck in the voting unfortunately.

Steve

reply by Smoothiecool on 26-Nov-2014

I have that problem always ..SC