Reviews from

A Brief Treatise on Gutless Gossips

Octogram

46 total reviews 
Comment from BOO ghost
Excellent
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Haha, looks good so far as I read the first two lines. I see the daDUM daDUM theme here. Fantastic job! I ran out of time getting my meter right but you done fine. Love the comical characters above. Hilarious! My nose is itching... somebody is coming with a hole in their britches. News and views connect nicely. Back and sneak attack, good one. cc on first stanza is simply amusing and not confusing. Attack and rack rhyme nicely. Lovely d d in second stanza, Tony Danza. Ths octagram beats watching Bonanza. smack and attack is great. Best hurry or your entry will be late. Wow! You wrote this like a piece of cake. Your meter looks good. I'm puzzled by the meter thing... not sure how you do a 8 syllable count, maybe same as a 10 with daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM. Correct me if BOO ain't right. Your poetry is a piece of pie. People talk smack, i wonder why? BOO fantastic! If a six was allowed you would get it Lion King. BOO

 Comment Written 29-May-2016


reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Yeah. Eight beats, six, four, daDum times two, four, five, however many beats divided by two. This was the practice one. Calling out some idiots. They didn't respond. LOL
    mikey
reply by BOO ghost on 29-May-2016
    practice one? thought it was authentic. Oh, we get a practice octagram? Yep, i got to get on board with exact time when race starts. So, i can be quicker and not the tortoise. Yep, I had to revise second stanza some. I did not know that both stanzas were connected. Connected now and revised. Oh, not everybody joined this octagram poetry contest? Well, be seeing you later tonight when i get achance to do some reviews. Got to cook some supper and maybe watch a war flick, then, review time of course.
reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Oh we usually knock off a practice one during the week, some of us. They're not really under the rules, just the real deals on Saturday. This was an unusual form, so we tried to pound it in the noggin. LOL
reply by BOO ghost on 29-May-2016
    oh, real ones are on Saturday? this was a warm up? I saw the gang's practice poems, mine was invisible. Haha. real deal comes this Saturday? Yep, need to practice that daDUM daDUM thing but some words have multiple syllables, don't know how you do that? I stress second syllable to word? A long words baffles me? Like quarantined. goes da DUMDUM? Shit that stuff mucks me up.
reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    It's how you pronounce them. Just say the naturally and you'll hear it.
    It takes a while, it isn't easy at all. Took me and Mark Fowler a long time. Two guys that can knock it off easy now. We once couldn't get a line out. Just keep at it.
reply by BOO ghost on 29-May-2016
    haha, I only write free verse poetry, mainly. i gave it a try, guess if you got 8 syllables like the octagram the format is always da DUM daDUM da DUM da DUM. Guess youcan not use some words because of the stressed syllables. quarantined would be dadaDUM, right, so, I could not use it, right? iambic pentameter is 10 sykllables right per line? daDUM daDUM... ths shit gets complicated because different countries stress different syllables of a word. can not see if this meter thing could be regarded iron clad, fors instance, in a song you can make any sykllable pronoucned from the norm. Like rock and roll. You may sing it ROCK and roll or you may sing it rock and ROLL! get what i am saying, so, i can not undserstand this meter thing that beats could be switched around. I don't get it or why the need to make simple poetry complicated and make it more robotic like than a normal poem with feeloing. i'm completly lost here, Mikey.
reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Start out more basic and look at clear examples.
    the RAIN in SPAIN. You'll see. Don't get complicated or you'll get lost. I used to read Nancy Davis's stuff because it was always perfect and just drum the shit in my head. THEN i'd write mine.
reply by BOO ghost on 29-May-2016
    yep, seems some flexibility is involved. I get it but if say, a singer sings a song with these lyrics, the rain, he or she could sing it any way. Like THE rain or the RAIN. See what I am getting at. Neither way is wrong depends on how you use it is what I'm aming at. I don't like simple Mikey A simple the RAIN in SPAIN would bore the hell out of me and repeated until you get 10 syllables, right? i think there is room for error here. Maybe this meter thing ain't my cup of teas Mikey. Seems like a meter makes words robotic like becuase of arithmetic. Seems that it take sthe spirit and emotion out of it because you are forced to a strict meter. WOnder how poetry started out as? You k now, even me and you have created types of poems. what is the limit before a poem is no longer a poem and some sort of hybrid species. Who makes the laws? Yep, thanks for the tips but not so sure this meter thing is for me Lion King. Kind of take sthe suspense and imagination out of it becuae of the forced meter. think I stay with basic poetry. tyis is for the pros and I seldom even do poems that rhyme. Well, wonder who invented this type of poetry? Yep, you could invent another type of poetry, give it a fancy name like iambic pentameter. All you got to do is reversed the daDUM to DAdum and instead of 10 syllables give it 12 syllables, right? Way I see things if some Joe can do it we can do. But what i am saying is that anybody can create a poem, but when does a poem not be a poem becuase true poems are supposed to rhyme. Poems that do not rhyme? Oh, that does not make a lick of since to me. that would be like a limerick or free verse stuff like i do. yes, I question things, I wonder?
reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    If you learn it, then you can play with it. But learn it first. You can break the rule if you know the rule. Read mine. It's smooth. It's by the rules, but I'm using words that are unique because I know it so well. I'm not stuck with "the rain in spain". Poetry isn't music, they're two different things. I know with music, I can sing anything and make it fit. Always better to learn something and then change it as opposed to not knowing it at all.
    I'm ten times the free verse poet I used to be.
reply by BOO ghost on 29-May-2016
    Yep, I understand about following the path of poets who have invented a type of poetry. It is a strict form of poetry. My only beef is that some words do not fit the da DUM daDUM thing. So, a big vocabulary is reduced becuase of this rule some words tat you think of that is a perfect fit does not match that strict meter of da DUM daDUM. That is what I frown upon. It takes my imagination away becuase some words that I like smore do not fit that rule. what is the benefit and purpose of having words follow a specific pattern of daDUM daDUM? Doe sit make the poem better just becuase it is more complicated and few people can do it or have not the time to perfect the craft? I look deep Mikey. I a not a simple man governed by strict rules that hinders me. But, I know that meter comes in handy when a prompt calls for it. I am happy that you perfected it, Lion King. Don't look like my cup of tea. I could learn it but I really don't like my hands tied behind my back when writing a poem that rhymes. A hinderance at best. Complicated! I excelled at Algebra but that was a waste of time. i did not need Algebra for everyday life, a waste of time unless I had a job that required aAlgebra, a rocket scientist. that is how I feel about complicated matters. There are unlimited varities of poems that do not call for strict meter. I could learn it but I barely write poems that rhyme to begin with and thinking of starting a novel, this ties me up, obselete. Don't let me discourage you, if you like meter that is cool but not wackydos cup of tea. I guess if I wanted to I could invent a complicated poem but I see no need in making something that startes simple as a poem to something complicated and many people avoid complicated. I did enjy the contest. It was the thrill of the kill to do something that i never done before. A challenge, a quest. Thanks for the feedback Mikey, think I will stay simple Simon for a while.
Comment from l.raven
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

OH Michael, this just broke my heart sweet boy...what is wrong with people ???...all you ever did on here is help people...tried to make it a better place to write...a happier family...I am so sorry Michael...I am a couple days behind...but I am catching up...why do some people have to be so nasty...you are a great guy...don't listen to garbage...I have had me share of back stabs as well...I sorry...love to ya Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 28-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    No worries, Ms. Sweetness. The little gossips didn't answer my call out, but ALL my friends did. So, I'm smiling. Love conquers all. We're all happy to speak out right in the light of day. I guess they're not. LOL Thanks so much. All is well. mikey
reply by l.raven on 28-May-2016
    I made a mistake in not standing up for someone on here when I should have...I feel bad about it...no one should bad mouth anyone on here...your a sweetie...and always so welcome...xxoo Linda
reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    It's all so petty and silly, It's hard to know when something is really serious enough to bother with. I just made some noise here to let people know, "Look, see all the people that think you're idiots? Maybe you should shut up." LOL
    Sometimes it's just getting worked up about nothing cause no one is paying any attention anyway. But, I know what you mean. I've got a pretty short fuse lately, especially for my friends. :))
reply by l.raven on 28-May-2016
    thanks Michael...it' helps...smiling back at ya...love Linda xxoo
Comment from flylikeaneagle
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Michael: I have sixes left since I have been with my Mom, Agnes. We got to play Go Fish for four hours and listen to old time music. The most interesting lady was dancing with her whole body while curled up in a wheel chair. Her name is Patty and she is nice and smiles. When one goes to a nursing home and is confused, "where is my room?" No one cares about the gossip, just get the food to the mouth. Even the food goes into the lap of those who really try and they laugh, really laugh. Life is so different. So why back bite on this site with all this talent here??? I am still learning. I admire you and hope that the next two years here with be fun. I have to run missions like hanging out with my Mom - no wifi. Hope that this makes sense to you, Mickey. You are a star to me and deserve to enjoy your art. flylikeaneagle

 Comment Written 28-May-2016


reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Aww. You're so sweet. So nice to hear from you. You really do fly like an eagle. :))
    You are on the go. WOW. I'm not worried about the gossip. I just thought I'd make some noise and see if anyone wanted to come forward and say their piece. Nope, not a peep. My friends had plenty to say though. So, I hope they noticed that. Thanks a million for all the stars and kind words. Don't be a stranger. Write something. Hang out for a few minutes. OOOPS. There she goes. LOL mikey
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
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You said it well and calmly. I hate gossip and prefer to stay away from people who spread stories about others. Your practice on the octogram makes me scared again for today's challenge.

 Comment Written 28-May-2016


reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Ahhhh. You always do a beauty. LOL
    I guess you write well when you're scared ... BOOOOOO!!!!
    Just trying to help. :))
    Yeah, I thought I'd call them out. No takers though. My friends aren't afraid to speak out. Thanks so much. mikey
Comment from seaglass
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Good lordy, what's happening? I've heard nothing but little ole me just hangs out in my seashell. If cowards gossip, they should be called out. It's a very mean world these days. Don't let it bother you.

 Comment Written 28-May-2016


reply by the author on 29-May-2016
    Yep, I figured I'd call them out and give 'em a chance to state their case. I guess they have nothing to say. LOL
    I'm not bothered. I just wanted them to see what they're up against. It is a mean world. But we're still in it, there's hope. Thanks a million, :)) mikey
reply by seaglass on 29-May-2016
    I'm glad you believe there's hope. Mean- spirit behavior considered accepted is the direction things are going. And the leading Republican candidate has endorsed it. I think there's always been ten percent or so who have been rotten to the core but they understood they weren't mainstream and had to suppress it ot at least be sneaky. With Twitter, facebook and other faceless, nameless outlets, they've climbed from under their rocks, and ascended from the bottom eater existence. They feel empowered.
Comment from 1954speed
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I enjoy this poem very much. It addresses a somber subject and does it very well. Seeds of discontent are sown by those who can not grow good crops. Pass the field and look to the horizon. Acknowledging a poor farmer will not make him better, Just bitter. Well done. Later, JD.

 Comment Written 28-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    Hey, great to hear from you. Yeah, they like to gossip around hear a bit. Seems they don't like being called out in the light of day though. I haven't heard a word. Appreciate the insightful words and support. Oh, and all the cool stars too. :))
    Thanks a million.

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Comment from Jumbo J
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hey Mikey... here I am again, just popping in to see what's going on here in fanstory land... and what! To my surprise, the 'game' is on again... I coined a reply to such people in a recent poem I wrote that I haven't had time to post... 'Small talk-small minds lack of vision vested in vaulted ego's choice'... yeah, 'poor Mikey', some people have a hard time dealing with other people's ability and talent and the only way they know how to inflate themselves is through throwing mindless words in anyone's direction... yeah, sad people, but that's life hey?

Anyway Mikey, love your creative hit back... really enjoyed reading your retort... the pen has a much broader stroke than any blade shoved into one's back from a hidden position... I'm like you brother... say anything you want 'bout me, but touch my family or friends with your malicious... and I'll come a callin' with eyes of black.

All other comments aside... a well crafted octogram that packed a real punch.

Be well my friend... life's way to short for smallness.

With our thoughts we create,
an Utopian environment.
James

 Comment Written 27-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    Hey, James
    Yeah, good times as always. I thought I'd call these fools out and see if they'd be willing to make a peep. Naw. Not a sound. My friends though, no problem speaking loud and clear in the light of day. I'm guessing they get the message. So, no worries, I know who my friends are and a few folks hiding in the dark don't worry me a bit. Glad you liked the poem. It's a pretty cool form really. Easier than I thought. Thanks so much for stopping by with all the stars and support. Most appreciated.

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Comment from strandregs
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Superb writing
behind my back
weaving words
behind my back
I feel your pain
behind your back
i spit on their graves
behind your back
I'm not on crack
b.h.y.b.
ha ha
love your poem true craftmanship.:-)) Z.

 Comment Written 27-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    Hey, great to hear from you and with an awesome review, my friend. Yeah, I hope these fools are getting an eyeful and an earful. None of us have a problem speaking out in the light of day. Haven't heard a word from one of them. So no worries. I'm way behind, but I'll be by soon. You've got a lot I've looked at but I've got to grace with my charming comments. LOL Thanks a million.
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Comment from boxergirl
Excellent
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I love you,Mikey!! I must not be in the loop, thank goodness...I haven't heard a peep about you...but rest assured if I do...I'll bring out a big can of Whup Ass and shut em up fast! Hate that kind of crap and good for you for calling them out! If I was a betting woman...and I am...I'd say you got far more lovers than haters, my friend.

 Comment Written 27-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    Aww. Thanks so much. I'm not surprised that my friends seem to have no problem speaking in the light of day. Oddly enough I haven't heard a word from the shadow people. Maybe they'll get the message. I hope so. In the meantime, I'll hang out with my buds and have no worries!!

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Comment from Sefiros
Excellent
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The hallmark of a good writer is the ability to channel real-life events into your writing. This poem is an excellent example of this. Granted I needed to read your extra notes to get the full story, but afterwards it became clear. Good job. And for the record, I'm not talking about you behind your back.

 Comment Written 27-May-2016


reply by the author on 28-May-2016
    So pleased you enjoyed. I'm not the least bit worried about you, my friend. All my friends speak right out in the light of day. Not one from the shadows has stepped out to reply. Thanks so much.

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