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post scriptum:
All this whining about the topic is but a proof that the mind won't let go. You want to find the right restrictions, you want to arrive at your own, narrowed down topic, but all your versions of the topic fall short. So you complain, because you have taken up the challenge.

I did. I handed over the results to interthingial care.

It's now the hour of the Judge.

Right on, Joe. (Right Hon. Joe)

Dear tom,

Thanks for all the good advice. Your post is excellent on how to write a poem. BUt I think it should have been addressed to everyone. Not just myself. Especially as I am not one of those complaining about the topic of "Winter".

Achilles wrote:Dear tom,

Thanks for all the good advice. Your post is excellent on how to write a poem. BUt I think it should have been addressed to everyone. Not just myself. Especially as I am not one of those complaining about the topic of "Winter".

Thanks Achilles.

I addressed you, because you had been asking for a broader topic in order to make it an easier task. Of course I had to explain my point there.

The PS about "complaints" is a different post, and it is not addressed to anyone in particular, the "you" there is a general one. This has been written as an attempt of someone who participated in the "topic bashing" to explain the reasons.

Cheers
Tom

tom.d.stiller wrote:Dear Achilles,



Lesser poets, like the writer of these lines, tend to go public with the intermediate results of the quest, though.

Cheers
Tom

Perhaps the topic could have been 'Intermediaries' ?

Or- "In t' me diaries"

Cheers, Witty.

How abooot,, "Interned in me dairy" to give a rural picaresque twist in the south american discussion?

Or- "Interred on me bier, dearie" to give a grave tone to mortifying rhymes.

(not so) Witty.

how fun....
in term of diaries..

Dear tom,

Thanks for the clarification. Now for a clarification of my own!

I don't believe that I "had been asking for a broader topic". After Joe announced that contest would begin on Jan. 12th and he would reveal the topic on that day -- I then wrote that I "hoped" the topic would be broader. I was assuming (and I think correctly) that Joe had chosen the topic already. I don't think what I wrote would cause him to change it.

Sorry about my misunderstanding your PostScript. I incorrectly assumed that the PostScript was meant to be attached to the "Dear Achilles" letter.

Hi Achilles ~

When one "hopes" for something to be something different ~ in a specific way ~ than it previously was, the implication is one of discontent ~ to at least some measure; hence the need to comment ~ with the nature [call it narrow, if you like] of the way it previously was.

Ruffled feathers? Well, perhaps that's a bit too broad . Merely making an observation of a narrower variety.

By the way, some did an amazing job of broadening that narrow, little topic .

~ Lizzy

Hi~

Interesting to read the views and opinions about the state of the topics.

Personally, I thought that the nearly infinate parameters of 'winter' made for a more difficult act of pin-pointing a path. It could have been in a city, on a mountain, as a snowflake, a relationship that is bound to winter, etc. This said, i think it will allow for more personal results. Afterall none of us can bail saying we have 'no experience with winter!' It was a dig inside to come up with a poem (or two or 3).

The seedy hotel was very specific. You may have or have not had real experience with/at a seedy hotel. But the imaginings of one are pretty wrapping up in a much shorter list than winter.

I am not complaining, just trying to explain my take on the two very different topics. Of course i did not write seedy hotel poem and cannot speak from absolute personal experience. Nevertheless, my view is my view

regards,
Laurie

Whoops, my addition was added prior to seeing/reading your posting, Laurie. I'm so glad you've entered the contest ! You're so right on the infinite possibilities that come with "Winter" and how just the initial thought of it can bring to mind, well, a BLANK Page! Of course, even that might inspire thoughts of a blizzard. Too, with winter being historically symbolic of 'death,' the possibilities are truly endless. Unfortunately, had I mustered the wherewithal to do it, that's the approach I'd have taken. However, I'm been feeling too depleted to even make the attempt.

Tom ~ GREAT explanation, by the way. I loved the rainbow reference, its transporting me to times gone by.

~ Lizzy

lizzytysh wrote:Hi Achilles ~

When one "hopes" for something to be something different ~ in a specific way ~ than it previously was, the implication is one of discontent ~ to at least some measure; hence the need to comment ~ with the nature [call it narrow, if you like] of the way it previously was.

Ruffled feathers? Well, perhaps that's a bit too broad . Merely making an observation of a narrower variety.

By the way, some did an amazing job of broadening that narrow, little topic.


~ Lizzy

Dear Lizzytysh, my friend, (and I hope you are my friend) please please stop implying that I was or am discontented. I merely had an opinion. Much like Paula.

And when other have discussed the topic of "winter". You have not jumped in to tell them a thing or two. Some like "Winter". Some do not. Some prefer a narrow topic. Some do not.

I mean it's not like I am going to win! I can assure you I am not!

And some are going to do an amazing job on a broad topic.

Lizzy~

i think i confessed to 'pondering' the subject of Winter. Whether or not i actually 'entered,' time will tell........
L

LaurieAK wrote:Lizzy~

i think i confessed to 'pondering' the subject of Winter. Whether or not i actually 'entered,' time will tell........
L

LaurieAK wrote: It was a dig inside to come up with a poem (or two or 3).