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A Potpourri of Poetic Curiosities

Viewing comments for Chapter 257 "The icon"
A collection of poems showcasing unusual words

13 total reviews 
Comment from Mustang Patty
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Hi, Craig,

In today's society, there is way too much emphasis put on statues. They are a work of art, a display, and homage.

I'm shocked by the movement in America to remove the art we have all around us. Should we just forget about our past?

Good thing the French and English never felt this way. It is bad enough so much was lost during dark periods in history. (Perhaps this IS a dark time...)

Thank you for sharing and making me think,

~Mustang Patty~

 Comment Written 10-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 11-Sep-2018
    I hadn't heard about that, Patty. There have been calls here recently to have statues of Captain Cook and others removed, as they are reminders of the "invasion". I'm not unsympathetic to what that meant to the original inhabitants a couple of hundred years ago. But there are limits to how much it can be milked. Many thanks for the thought-provoking comments.
Comment from ciliverde
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HA, I really like this one, the ending lines made me laugh. By the way, I had to look up 'apostacy' but that only makes me a little bit smarter (right?). This is a great poem, so much said in these lines. Actually the two final stanzas are outstanding. Sometimes a statue is a statue! Dammit! Lol. I do love your poetry,
Carol

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Your lovely comments brought a smile to my face. Thanks so much, Carol, always appreciated :) Craig
Comment from Gloria ....
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Well I like the title Icon because it rhymes with Nikon. I mean how bizarrely coincidental is that. LOL.

So this is a fine free verse, Craig. I have no idea why you've been avoiding the form when you clearly have much talent for writing it. And the word petrifact sounds oddly like artifact too, so double coincidence.

What kind of Kool-Aid? Grape I hope because that's my favourite flavour.

Much enjoyed and now write some more free verse.

Gloria

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Well... I wanted to rhyme it with Hasselblad, but the moon's fav'rite camera just seemed too rad :)

    Free verse scares me to death, I've done my semi-yearly piece, now back to business as usual lol

    Most grateful as always, Gloria.
Comment from lyenochka
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You did a super job with this free verse, Craig. I don't feel comfortable with free verse, either. But I do like how you allude to various things like religious attitudes toward ancient relics and even more dramatically with the last two lines referring to the Jim Jones cult's Kool Aid and perhaps the superstition about taking photos stealing souls. Yes, archaeological fines should be treated just as that to inform us about civilizations of the past not as owning any other power.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    You picked up all of the iconography perfectly, Helen. Thanks for getting it. I'm grateful for the fine comments. Craig
reply by lyenochka on 08-Sep-2018
    You understood even when I wrote "fines" instead of "finds." I think it's horrible what certain groups have done destroying ancient artifacts. I liked your reference to Lot's wife, too.
Comment from Ulla
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Hi Craig, I've never attempted a free verse poem but then again I'm not a poet and never will be. Occasionally, I venture into one of the short forms. No, I'ma prose writer through and through. I liked your poem though incorporating the word petrifact. Thanks for sharing. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Thank you so much for the kind comments, Ulla. Perhaps we should start a club of our own - we could call it "The Fabulous Not Free-Versers" :) Cheers, Craig
reply by Ulla on 09-Sep-2018
    Hahahaha, yeah, That might be an idea!
Comment from Y. M. Roger
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Well, you might not think it's much, but I think this is one of the best, present-day, topical writes I have read in some time, Craig! :) ;) You have taken and stated the facts and wrapped them with so much of the hype and, dare I say, hysteria that looms around these days and plainly and so-very-eloquently shown the ridiculousness for what it is! :)

Thank you for the smile and do some more free verse - you style and approach are truly well-done!! :) ;)

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    You have helped ease my morbid fear of unrhymed poetry a little with your lovely comments, Yvette... so thank you :) I'm glad the concept of preoccupation with nonsense and hype came through. Much appreciated -- Craig
Comment from Lady Jane
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I love your penning, CD. They are robust and hearty. Always, your work is chock full of emotion, theory, and well thought verbiage ... No structure that confines or constricts, just simple, full bodied content that leads the reader, visually, down a trail to understating who you are as a poet. This image is excellent to boot. I found no errors and believe this free verse to be wonderfully penned. Give yourself some credit! You're gifted. Keep writing.
Janelle

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Thank you for the extremely generous comments, Janelle. I feel like a fish out of water with free verse, but I very much appreciate your encouragement :) Cheers, Craig
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
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I liked your free-verse and it is well written and you used some good words here, my favourite stanzas are:

It's not a salty pillar,
an ancient reminder
of the uselessness of doubt
and the folly of regret.

It's not a holy apparition,
a stone Madonna,
bleeding in despair
at the wickedness
of apostacy.

Full of imagery and some icons are empty and cold, your words resonated with me, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Thanks very much for the lovely comments, Dolly. I'm most grateful :) Craig
Comment from Adri7enne
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I enjoyed your free verse. I guess you're saying that one need not look into more meaning than what is intended in a statue or an icon of any kind. Sometimes, a statue is just a statue. I think it's a great idea to write a poem, inspired by a new, 'obscure and archaic' word. Well done, CD.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    That's pretty much it. Thanks so much for the lovely comments, they are most gratefully received :) Craig
Comment from Henry King
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What an excellent free verse poem. It's too bad that some ultraconservatives of every belief ruin petrifacts carved at the beginning of when humans knew there will be a need to understand where we came from and how our ancestors looked at themselves and their environment. This poem is a job well done.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2018
    Thank you very much, Henry, for the most sound observation, and the kind comments. Appreciated -- Craig
reply by Henry King on 08-Sep-2018
    You are welcome. Enjoyed reading your poem.