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A Potpourri of Poetic Curiosities

Viewing comments for Chapter 74 "The Ides of March"
A collection of poems showcasing unusual words

14 total reviews 
Comment from bichonfrisegirl
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Hi Craig,

Your poem is a great vehicle for introducing the word 'sicarian' to your reader.

What a great artwork you've chosen to complement your write! A swelled head can get a person into a heap of trouble, as your poem aptly conveys. Your write is very relevant to what's currently happening in the political clime right now. We'll see how that ends. I especially love the last two lines of your poem. ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2018
    Thanks very much for the lovely review, Connie. It will be interesting indeed, I think, to see how long it takes today's 'senators' to turn. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Pearl Edwards
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Well done Craig with this well rhymed poem and a reminder to some that though they think themselves above the rest of us, it isn't always so. Love the - senate of sicarians - well written, and a good read.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2018
    Thanks so much for the great review, Valda. Much appreciated - Craig.
Comment from N. Rabwar
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I like this poem for its richly textured imagery and for its ending message. It is a very well written poem In which all parts are equally good and it flows smoothly from beginning to end.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Thank you very much for your most kind comments. I'm glad you liked my poem. Much appreciated - Craig
Comment from --Turtle.
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Hey, Craig... read through this contemplative poem, reflecting on the day, the history, and the word theme all melding nicely together.

the danger to them of a boastful soul.
(I paused on the to them... wondered if there was a way of smoothing it out. I thought things like dangers of having a boastful soul, but I'm meter deaf. Figured I would point here that I paused to ponder)

they bring their hapless leader to the ground.
(How quickly those can turn on you.)

it's true that pride will come before a fall.
(Strong, reflective end to this poem. Using a famous event that lines up with assassination nicely highlighted the word of the day. I thing the turns of phrases are appropriate for the tone of lessons learned with a historical reference.

Really liked senate of sicarians, an apt description.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Hi Turtle,
    Thanks for the great review. In line with your comment about line 4, and also because I wasn't happy myself with the opening line, I've made some changes to the first stanza. If you have time, I'd really appreciate if you could let me know if you think it's an improvement (or not!)
    Much appreciated,
    Craig
reply by --Turtle. on 15-Mar-2018
    I think the flow of words is an improvement. I didn't trip over the last line in hearing it, though wondered if a boastful soul is truly the greatest of folly.

    So, I say it sounds good, but part of me pauses on greatest.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    What about , if instead of "the greatest folly is a boastful soul", I had "a wicked folly is a boastful soul"?
reply by --Turtle. on 15-Mar-2018
    beware the folly of a boastful soul?
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    That sounds perfect! But then I think I would need a comma at the end of the previous line, and to put the last line in quotes... is that correct?
reply by --Turtle. on 15-Mar-2018
    I was thinking over the same thing, about adding a comma...

    a comma, or a semi colon (which would probably be wrong, but I'm not sure)
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    OK, thanks heaps, Turtle. I really appreciate your help - above and beyond the call. I'd give you another review vote, but it won't let me. Why only one? grrrr
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
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A very well-written poem about the ides of March and the assassination of Julius Ceasar. When a person has too much pride he will fall one or other time.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Thanks very much, Sandra.Much appreciated - Craig
Comment from Joy Graham
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Hello Craig,

I found your author notes fascinating and hope you don't mind that I shared that historical info with my daughter as today is Molly's actual birthday and this is stuff I didn't know.

Good word, sicarian. Don't they know how to spoil a person's day by assassinating them.

A good poem and another good word I never knew.

Joy xx

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Why would I mind you sharing? Happy (real) birthday to Molly!

    Thanks for the lovely review, Joy - Craig
Comment from tfawcus
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I hadn't noticed that it was the Ides of March today. Perhaps I should have rushed out and settled my debts! Your poem relives the fateful events leading up to the violent death of Julius Caesar and draws some sobering conclusions from them. Its varied rhythms within your chosen pentameter lines add an element of disquiet that suits the sicarian mood!

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Sadly, I have to admit that wasn't an effect I was consciously striving for. Apart from the first line, which I know has a non-typical stress for "beyond", which are the other lines you think are "off"? Any suggestions or call-outs would be appreciated, if you don't mind. In any case, thanks for the kind review :) Craig
Comment from Dawn Munro
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Spare me close friends, if that's what they do! (LOL) What a wonderful poem, Craig - perfect for the times, and I don't necessarily mean the month of March (*snicker*). We must believe that the fall will be a hard one... But I wonder how much damage will be done before it happens...

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Why Dawn, I have no idea of what, or whom, you speak! ;-)

    Many thanks for the fun review. I believe old Jules was stabbed 23 times - I'm sure there would be at least that many daggers poised right now.

    Cheers,
    Craig
reply by Dawn Munro on 15-Mar-2018
    LOL - at LEAST!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
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This is a thoughtful write about treacherous times, and your new word is appropriate here as there were many assassinations in the fight for power! Love these historical writes, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Many thanks for the continued support, Dolly. It certainly was a violence-filled period in human history. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Gloria ....
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Well you're right too, it is the Ides of March. A great good, fun poem, Craig and luckily those boastful souls do tend to do themselves in, but not before they've done a whack load of damage and angered every single fork in the drawer.

Are you referring to anyone in particular here? lol.

Much fun and a great read. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2018


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2018
    Not really, Gloria. Someone, of course, suggested themself immediately, but I didn't have them particularly in mind. Appreciation :) Craig