Bookend Scholarship
A Shakespearean Sonnet for the contest65 total reviews
Comment from James H. Oldfield
Really, really enjoyed this, though I have to admit being as anamoured by the gorgeous antique-looking books, as the ducks (which, I accept, is somewhat missing the point :) ).
Beautifully constructed, and backed by a really insightful poetic vision, I'd have been very proud to have come up with that.
Excellent work, very well done.
Take care.
-James
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2018
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Really, really enjoyed this, though I have to admit being as anamoured by the gorgeous antique-looking books, as the ducks (which, I accept, is somewhat missing the point :) ).
Beautifully constructed, and backed by a really insightful poetic vision, I'd have been very proud to have come up with that.
Excellent work, very well done.
Take care.
-James
Comment Written 18-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2018
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Very many thanks for your review, James. Much appreciated. I bought the bookends in a thrift shop in Manhattan a couple of years ago. As far as I recall, the books were a two-volume set of the history of Alexandria. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Gloria ....
What a fantastic sonnet, Tony. The photographs of the ducks outward and inward facing only add to the lesson we can learn.
I very much enjoy this "metaphor" and how time and familiarity can lead up to some lack of attention. The turn is a perfect reminder that with a few loving changes and some buffing yes, hearts can be brought back to brilliance.
Exceptional. I wish you all the best in the contest my friend.
Gloria
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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What a fantastic sonnet, Tony. The photographs of the ducks outward and inward facing only add to the lesson we can learn.
I very much enjoy this "metaphor" and how time and familiarity can lead up to some lack of attention. The turn is a perfect reminder that with a few loving changes and some buffing yes, hearts can be brought back to brilliance.
Exceptional. I wish you all the best in the contest my friend.
Gloria
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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Many thanks for dropping by to review, Gloria. Much appreciated. Thank you, too, for your very kind comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Excellent photos, Tony.
-A well penned sonnet.
-I like the first line introducing
"bookend ducks, alone, aloof."
-The description continues very
well in verse two and how they were
"backed by ancient books"
-The volta is excellent.
-The couplet ends the sonnet very well.
-An excellent entry; good luck.
-Glad to see your first poem of 2018, too!
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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-Excellent photos, Tony.
-A well penned sonnet.
-I like the first line introducing
"bookend ducks, alone, aloof."
-The description continues very
well in verse two and how they were
"backed by ancient books"
-The volta is excellent.
-The couplet ends the sonnet very well.
-An excellent entry; good luck.
-Glad to see your first poem of 2018, too!
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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Many thanks for dropping by to review, Pam. Much appreciated. Thank you, too, for the six stars and your very kind comments. Best wishes, Tony
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You are welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Tony. It was an excellent sonnet with photography to match.
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
This is a splendid sonnet, I love the use of the bookends
and the tomes of emotionless scholarship.
Of course, antique lovers will be quite upset
about removing the patina.
Oh, the sacrifices we make for love.
Best wishes in the all things
(great picture of you and Teagan!)
RS
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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Hello Tony,
This is a splendid sonnet, I love the use of the bookends
and the tomes of emotionless scholarship.
Of course, antique lovers will be quite upset
about removing the patina.
Oh, the sacrifices we make for love.
Best wishes in the all things
(great picture of you and Teagan!)
RS
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2018
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Many thanks for dropping by to review, Robert. Much appreciated. Thank you, too, for the six stars and your very kind comments. Yes, I rather regretted polishing the ducks up - made them look rather too brassy! However, they are not exactly priceless antiques, just a bit of Indian tourist bric-a-brac. They are already beginning to regain their staid demeanour and dull lustre! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Oh, wow! I love the photos you took yourself, and the message you put forth, with all your finesse, and charm. You start out sounding so studious and clinical, but then, flip it on its ear, and send off, the greatest message one could hear! I love the third and fourth stanzas the best! My favorite line is, "Though books may teach us much, our heart's the crux; there is a deal to learn from loving ducks!" the message is marvelous, and the rhymes, of "ducks" and "crux," are delightful! This did not come off as a typical Sonnet, at all! Your clever words, and turns of phrases, made it an enjoyable read, as well as, giving us, words to heed. Definitely worth the six stars!
Take care, Jesse
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Oh, wow! I love the photos you took yourself, and the message you put forth, with all your finesse, and charm. You start out sounding so studious and clinical, but then, flip it on its ear, and send off, the greatest message one could hear! I love the third and fourth stanzas the best! My favorite line is, "Though books may teach us much, our heart's the crux; there is a deal to learn from loving ducks!" the message is marvelous, and the rhymes, of "ducks" and "crux," are delightful! This did not come off as a typical Sonnet, at all! Your clever words, and turns of phrases, made it an enjoyable read, as well as, giving us, words to heed. Definitely worth the six stars!
Take care, Jesse
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Jesse, for your kind words and for the six stars. Much appreciated, as always! It is always affirming when a reader understands the intent of a poem, as you do. Best wishes, Tony
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You're welcome, Tony. It was a pleasure to read and review your work.
Jesse
Comment from jusylee72
Amazing what a picture can build on. Those bookends are so wonderful and full of life. Placing words between them until everything is read. What a sweet illusion. I enjoyed your imagery. Thank you,
judy
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Amazing what a picture can build on. Those bookends are so wonderful and full of life. Placing words between them until everything is read. What a sweet illusion. I enjoyed your imagery. Thank you,
judy
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Judy, for your kind words. Much appreciated, as always! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from catch22
Hi T, what a great sonnet with a fantastic moral at the end. Formal education teaches one to think deeply, but without the experiences necessary to think on, it is meaningless. A clever sonnet with clever end rhyming. Love the pairing of "oxidize/ hypothesize". Too clever.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Hi T, what a great sonnet with a fantastic moral at the end. Formal education teaches one to think deeply, but without the experiences necessary to think on, it is meaningless. A clever sonnet with clever end rhyming. Love the pairing of "oxidize/ hypothesize". Too clever.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks for your kind words and for the six stars. Much appreciated, as always! It is always affirming when a reader understands the intent of a poem, as you do. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I love it, Tony! What an original idea and superbly written, too. The sonnet is a beautiful style of poetry when written correctly and I can honestly say, yours is. I love your duck bookends, if you ever want to get rid of them, I'll give them a good home!! Good luck in the contest, my friend. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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I love it, Tony! What an original idea and superbly written, too. The sonnet is a beautiful style of poetry when written correctly and I can honestly say, yours is. I love your duck bookends, if you ever want to get rid of them, I'll give them a good home!! Good luck in the contest, my friend. Sandra xx
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Sandra, for your kind words. Much appreciated, as always! I bought the bookends in the City Opera Thrift Store in Manhattan a couple of years ago - an absolute treasure trove of bric-a-brac! They are solid brass from India, and now have a home in our sunroom in Australia. Well travelled ducks! I'll let you know if they get restless for another change of scenery! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Leftkansas
Exceptional. A true masterpiece. A question answered within a Shakespearean
Sonnet. Great meter,rhyme and flow. Absolutely nothing to criticize. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Exceptional. A true masterpiece. A question answered within a Shakespearean
Sonnet. Great meter,rhyme and flow. Absolutely nothing to criticize. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Leftkansas for your kind words and for the six stars. Much appreciated, as always! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Janet Foor
Hi Tony,
I enjoyed this delightful sonnet. Very creative and clever to use a possible love affair of ducks which are your book-ends. Excellent abab rhyme and Shakespearean meter throughout.
Very nicely done.
Blessings
Janet
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Hi Tony,
I enjoyed this delightful sonnet. Very creative and clever to use a possible love affair of ducks which are your book-ends. Excellent abab rhyme and Shakespearean meter throughout.
Very nicely done.
Blessings
Janet
Comment Written 17-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Janet, for your kind words.. Much appreciated, as always! Best wishes, Tony
