Reviews from

A Potpourri of Poetic Curiosities

Viewing comments for Chapter 226 "An important announcement"
A collection of poems showcasing unusual words

13 total reviews 
Comment from tfawcus
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I've heard a few political speeches along these lines! The art of taking a lot of time and a great many words to say nothing seems to be one of the main requirements of the job. When are you running for office?

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2018
    "Let me be clear about this..." How many interviews of politicians contain these words, and yet are as obscure and vague as could possibly be? Could not agree more. Thanks for the career advice, Tony, I was tossing up between bank robber and politician, and have finally decided to go with the more honourable choice. Thank goodness, I wouldn't want to have to live in Canberra.
reply by tfawcus on 16-Aug-2018
    Good luck with your new enterprise. It seems from the news that it is the banks that are the robbers, so it'll be good to see them getting a taste of their own medicine.
Comment from BeasPeas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

"Circumduction," eh? I know several people like that. Just try to get a word in edgewise. A good poem that I enjoyed reading. It's composed perfectly to say something, and yet say nothing at the same time. Marilyn

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2018
    Thanks very much, Marilyn. Most appreciated -- Craig
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I know that's a rather anxious, I say. this is taking something a long while to get to the news. But somewhere the issue you'll agree is a topic and when that happens the moon shows up blue. ;-)

Fantastic job, Craig. Circumduction is a skill that is acquired after many long years of careful study.

Enjoyed. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2018
    I believe it comes naturally to most politicians, Gloria. Many thanks :) Craig
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Lol. You did it quite brilliantly but I think the word should have been "circumdiction" instead of "circumduction" which I could only find a medical definition for. Don't know why they chose the Latin "ducere" (to lead) instead of "dicere" if it's a longwinded speech.

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    Hi Helen,

    Apparently, the term has been around since the 1500s in English. The Latin root, circumducere, means to "show or guide around, to prolong, to talk loquaciously, to swindle, or to nullify or cancel a law". So it seems to serve a number of uses. Obviously, I chose the speech one for this example. Concerning "circumdiction" (which would appear to make sense, because of the association with speech), I could only find a single reference, and that was as an alternative to "circumduction" in the medical context you cited. Thanks for the comments :) Craig
Comment from --Turtle.
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted


Nice job with this poem and the word of the day. You're doing a great job with your endeavor to stick with a poem a day, use a variety of forms, and embedding the themes poetically. I haven't mentioned it much if at all, but even when I can't catch every poem, I do root for you to see it to the end of your challenge. You're more than halfway.

This poem was entertaining to read, the first half of it, though wordy and round about, did well to keep the reader dangling with some curiosity of what this important news was.

By the time things were going from dangling to feeling strung along... the theme of circumduction had been established to find it amusing that the pov would claim to not be one to circumduct.

And at the end, I appreciated the toss of the news to the side as irrelavant, because no news given at that point would have held up to the intro of waiting for it, and the news itself was never the point. All tied together to give a chuckle. (As I considered how many times I've meandered around to get to the point, only to forget the point.)

though circumduction's really* not my style;
but you'll agree this topic's really* hot.
(noticed the double really, and I wondered if the second really would work as rather?)

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    Thanks for spotting that repetition, Turtle. I do make a conscious effort to avoid overusing the same word, but sometimes, in spite of my best efforts, they slip through. Your suggested replacement is excellent. I'm really peeved that I'm only permitted to nominate you once a month for all the help you provide -- I think such nominations should be unlimited, although I can understand why they are not. Perhaps 4 per month might be fairer?

    Most sincere appreciation for your comments.

    Craig
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Craig,this word I understood the minute I read it and written in the context,I suppose. Another great poem. You're really so very good at writing them. Good fun. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    Thanks so much for the lovely comments, Ulla. As long as you keep enjoying, I'll keep writing (or at least until the end of the year, whichever comes first - barring any unforeseen circumstances) :) Cheers, Craig
Comment from bichonfrisegirl
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Haha ... cute and clever, Craig. I love the humor in this one, and this really does describe us as we get older. Things are on the tip of our tongues, but we can't always retrieve them when we want to.

This was a terrific way to showcase the word "circumduction". You've made it easy for your reader to remember this word. Many of your older readers (myself included in this lot) can easily relate to forgetting what they wanted to say. To that end, your concluding line is a zinger. Luv it!

Cheers,
Connie

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    I think it's related to the unique ability one develops in later life of being able to take ten steps to the refrigerator, and forget, as one opens the door, what one came for ;-) Ah, the joys of "maturing" - although, my other half will tell you I haven't experienced that yet. Many thanks for the fun review, Connie.
Comment from Teri7
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Craig, This is a really cute poem you have penned introducing us to the new word - circumduction. I have not heard of it before now. I think some may speak or talk that way. I know I have been guilty of starting at point A, heading the wrong way when speaking. You did a very good job explaining it with your words. Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    Don't we all, Teri? Many thanks for your lovely review. Craig
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Haha, Craig. Could some reviews be guilty of circumduction? I enjoyed this poem explain your word for the day. You did a great job with the rhymes & smooth flow of your lines. This was a fun poem to read. Maybe some politicians are guilty of this, too, right? You re doing a fine job with your project. I enjoy the different style used to express your thoughts/feelings. Jan

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    I think mine are often guilty of it, Jan :)

    Thanks very much for the lovely comments about the project; sometimes it seems never-ending lol

    Cheers, Craig
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Yes, as we get older and put things off this happens more often. As does forgetting what you came in a room to do. It sounds like he might be getting the nerve to say
"I love you".

Keep writing

Joan

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2018
    Now that you mention it, that could be a great fit, Joan. Most grateful, Craig
reply by dragonpoet on 16-Aug-2018
    My pleasure, Craig.

    Joan