Busy
"Busy
is as busy
does", they say, but I'm
completely at a loss to know
exactly what "they" mean by that remark.
Oh, I suppose I ought to go
and look it up somewhere,
but I'm way too
busy.
Del Warren Livingston (c) right now 2005
Author notes
Rictameter is a diamond-shaped poem of nine lines, opening and closing with the same two syllables. The syllable count of the lines is 2 4 6 8 10 8 6 4 2.
Written September 11th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
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Hah! so glad that the Zahhar man sent me this way.
It was way worth it. This models the style and form. Whoever's surrogate for this author, it is fantastic, might I say... 'right on'!
God bless all who are lined
in his path behind.
Warmly, CookieZeal
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Wow, this must have been the last poem Del wrote. I'm so sorry I never got to say a proper goodbye to him. What a great man he was! I offer my condolences to his family.
~Evan~ -
Wow, this is such a good poem- quite ironic, from a passed away all poetry poet
Best wishes to the family
Pozo
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Oh Del, I never had the chance to meet you and this is the first of your works I have read, you must have been a wonderful poet. I wish I had met you. This was your last poem but the one I read first.
I don't really know what else to say. May God bless your family.
Rest in Peace!
LittleAnn
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and he took 98% of his poems off AP not long before he passed... he was planning to put them all back once AP's design changes settled down. but ... yeh ...
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right now i am busy too... and ill... but this one peps me up... good one sir. ... love your work... take care sam
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was that supposed to be funny crazygurl? because if you were being a smart ass then you need a kick in the head. have a heart for godsake
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I saw this before,thought I had commented, very nice and like Dels work very busy indeed..Linda
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Bullshit
:S I trully can't find the right words -
Beautiful
wonderful work. it's a shame I didn't get a chance to meet you. I think I can find out what kind of man you were through your work of art. wow, my fingers feel...I dunno empty because you can't actually read this right now.
May God bless your family.
R.I.P. -
"THIS IS GREAT KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK"
Did u miss the memo... he cant... hes dead...
think about what ur saying...
to you my dear brother in lyrical arms, may u find peace.. youve left your mark on us all.. and will be missed. -
THIS IS GREAT KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK
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he had a sense of humor..i really like this poem. heh and i can so relate..but the truth is..were never really busy doing anything. great write. a sweet man.
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thats really good srry bout the deadness
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Beautiful beautiful poem! I never knew you, but you were a beautiful writer, and I know a beautiful person. Amazing job!
~Rhea~
R.I.P. -
another great poet I never met. Sorry I didnt get a chance to meet you. May god look over you and your family in theese troubled times. R.I.P.
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Wow
wow..this is the first time i seen a poem like this..and i learn a new vocab too..really impressive work..and i love the subject..lol..i think we can all relate to being busy in some point of our life..anyway..nice job -
kudos in his last days he wrote, a sure man of character!
carrie -
Looks as if I missed out on a truley wonderful poet...May the Lord guide him and may he rest in peace.
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It's a shame that they don't put something up to inspire other poets to read others until they pass away. Loved this poem by Del, may he rest in peace!
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A Fine Poet on his way home!
Well you know the old saying, 'you get no recognition until you're gone' The site is a home to hundreds maybe more aspiring poets and it's unfortunate that I may not meet most of them during my time here at AP. Although i've never been priviledge to have known Del or read any of his poetry, I find this poem 'Busy' to be a humorous. If this is an example to the type of work he pens then I say, I've missed much. May he rest in peace.
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I fear this poem is only getting so many comments and applauds because Del is no longer with us ... and that is a shame.
RIP -
a beautiful write this poem is...may you rest in peace Del, although I never knew you...this last poem..."busy" seems to say it all...to many people in life are too busy to take the time to talk, to associate, to understand the values and social consciene that make up humanity (or do now)...I am sorry I never was able to meet you, just this one poem flared the inspiration in my mind for 4000 others. Rest deeply and happily.. "May angels lead you in"
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AWESOME!!!!
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It looks like I missed out on meeting another fine poet on this website because of my life and medical condition that made me 'too busy' to reach out and explore. Even though too late to meet this person through the cyber world of allpoetry.com, it is not still too late to read the works that he has left us to enjoy. May you find the peace and solitude and are no longer 'busy' to enjoy the peace.
Gregg
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He was a good poet. Too bad I discovered his talent too late
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I liked this it was good.
busy is as busy does! The best of perfect lines!
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awesome
truly awesome. xx
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Too few like him.
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good
short and full of meaning good write he will be missed -
that is a good point, everyone spends their lives so busy, until sadly, like you, life is taken away, perhaps people will look at this and try not to be so busy, i neva knew you man, but well you certainly had a way with words, RIP
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good night, sweet man. perhaps now you aren't so busy, but resting.
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i am sorry for his lost but i never knew this man but he seemed like a wonderful caring man. may he rest in peace
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i remember exchanging a couple poetry comments with Del ... very much a good AP man ... he will be missed
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Farewell to a man that inspired many, I am a new poet and never had the oppurtunity to know you but thank you for being an inspiration to me. Poetry is the breath in our lungs and our lives. Thank you dear sir, Farewell, untill the Great Spirit crosses our paths again...Lost Crow Child
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wow..this is good..great way to express...nice flow to it toO!
xo's katlyn -
Excellent Work
Awesome. Inventive and well laid-out. I like the structure and style. I will definitely be exploring more works by this poet. May his soul rest in peace. -
I feel the same way as others, I wish I had known this great poet before... His words will live forever!
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Nice
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I wish I had known him because these words filled me with wonder. He had a way with words. Maybe we should do a little publication for his poems and let the world see it. It will be a tribute to someone who could play with words and delight others like he did here. Well, just an idea.
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Nice piece - short and to the point - as a busy person would be - the layout is curious - but it works ... so busy is as busy does ....
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great work
wonderful poem, I didnt know this man, but sure wish I did. -
brilliant
what a shame that these things happen to the best of us. What a talented man this poem is funny it made me laugh hopefully his work will carry on for many years to come as poems live forever rest in peace -
Superb
So witty and such good form, I'm sorry I had never read his work before I'm new here and haven't had the chance, but I plan to check it out now. He sounds like a man whom it would have been a pleasure to know. Hopefully, there IS such a thing as reincarnation !!!
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Thank you Del for inspiring us all. Not many people can write with as much style as you, you will be missed by all, but your influence will stay with us all as poets. thanks and rest in peace. ~~*Dunc*~~
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Thank you Del for inspiring us all. Not many people can write with as much style as you, you will be missed by all, but your influence will stay with us all as poets. thanks and rest in peace. ~~*Dunc*~~
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poetry piece or a genuine question? lol i couldn't blame you if it was the latter. good fun piece that reflects a little of what goes on privately in our heads....mostly confusion in m y case
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love it love it love it
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so sad to hear of this news...but you'll have his poetry forever...and look how many people he has inspired.
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Lol.. that's our Del.... funny right up to the last minute
This is really a cute poem, and put a definate smile on my face
I'm so glad we can come here often to read his poetry and his columns.
He was a friend and mentor, I'll miss him terribly but I know he's in a far better place now And he would want us to keep enjoying his work and not be sad for long.
And with poetry like this piece, it's hard to not smile with him
Dee
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Very nice piece that spins an old saying. It was well structured and means alot
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This a testimony of great work. I value this poem because of the life it gives me and others. The poetry ever lives to help others find their way through the slendour of poetry
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very clever
What a loss to the creative community....he was a very talented man...i love this poem and its ironic humor and cleverness...i hope he has his poetic abilities in his next life... -
A poem filled with humour, reflecting some of the character of this poet, one I never knew of until it was to late. Now we will read his poetry and wish....
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its very sad to hear such news but we have no choice but to accept this tragic fact that we will all go where he went so good luck to all of you...
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Great Write
Thank you Del for sharing your poerty with everyone ... I have never read any of your poems before ... then again ... I am sure that you are with us in spirit and happy to know that everyone is finally taking time out of their busy schedules to read and appriciate you wonderful peoms, that you took time to right for us to enjoy .... My prayers are with your family. -
I too am sad that I never knew of this man and his amazing talent until too late. However, it is never too late to appreciate someone for the talent and inspiration they have. So, Del, congratulations on an emotive piece of work and I know your poetry will live on. Rest In Peace.
Edited on Sep 27, 6:19 p.m. because ''. -
beautiful
I never met you, or talked to you at all. When anybody leaves this earth that had an influence on people, we shouldn't be sad, but we should all be happy and rejoice in somebody's ascension into the heavens. REST IN PEACE friend that I have never known. -
I can't quite put into words how unhappy I am, learning of his talent when it was too late. This paticular poem made me smile, and I loved the humor woven into the words with that sort of.. unique poetic flow along with it. Short and definitely pleasant. Nevertheless, his majesty of words astounds me, and will live on in the memories of many thanks to this site. I wish for the best for all who knew him, and good look in your time of mourning. <3 May he rest in peace.
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wonderfully written
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so, so
It has some flow, short poem, not much said, cute, but it needs a better ending. -
He wrote his last poem on my birthday
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This is as if I hear Del talking and see him smiling right at this minute. He was a man of so much vlaur and altruism , he will be deeply missed by everyone that ever touched here. But his legacy will be in the way many of us will honor him by practicing to write how he taught us
Reenie
Edited on Sep 27, 12:45 because ''. -
i like this poem. it is so sad he died. i liked reading his poem.
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What can I say? Live on, poet. Live on through your words and your painted poetry. Auden may have said, "The words of a dead man are modified in the guts of the living..." and he may well be right. But sometimes...sometimes...it is just a joy to read. Rest in peace.
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After reading the sad news that one of allpoetry's long time and much respected members had passed I went searching for his work. I then came upon the forum thread with all of the wonderfully expained and exampled from poems. It was truly a treat to read. I wish I had been introduced to Del's work earlier. This poem "Busy" was one of my favorites. Thoughts and prayers to all of Del's familly.
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I feel privileged to be able to write the same kind of poetry as such a talented man. I thought this was a great write. Thank you, whoever thought to feature this piece. It brought a smile to my face.
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reading this is sad in light of this person's recent passing. although i did not know Del Warren Livington, at least his poetry continues...
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i wrote a really ignernt comment on this poem and now i feel a greaT DEAL OF SHAME because i didnt even know aboout his death or the different forms of poetry i always just wrot e what i felt was good enough for me !!!!! BUT I APOLOGIZE AND MY DEEEPEST CONDOLENCES GO OUT god bless and the family is in my prayers and this is a very good true memorable poem !!!!!! ~lilb420~!
Edited on Sep 28, 12:56 because ''. -
You've done a good job with the form, in my opinion, and it's so funny
I loved it. Funny, sad, and true. That's what I felt about it. Nice work. Not exactly what I'd call a masterpiece, but hey, people need to laugh!!!
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Exquisite!!!
This will be a lovely remembrance of Del and I am bookmarking it so that I can come back to look whenever I need to or want to. I love the rictameter, the diamond shape it forms is a wonderful sight. This was an excellent example of a rictameter from a great poet. God bless and keep your family safe as you watch over them eternally through his light. Love and blessings, Joyce
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What a wonderful tribute. This is a little gem. Having only recently joined AP this is the first of dels work I have read but I am so glad I did. Goodnight kind poet sleep well
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i love form poetry though i cannot do much but this one is fun and enjoyable has a very fast past and flows with expression. Thanks for sharing this one as a featured.
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awesome
I will always remember him trying to teach me a "Rictameter" I lol and said man your good,he replied you are to you just don't know it yet! -
well right now I am busy critiquing this piece, and it strikes me as one of the few pieces around here on AP that stands as an oddball, such simple and quirky expression of self is rare because it is thoughts like these that make up the anatomy of a man. Not simply the great moments, the ones of the most consequence. Well done here in this poem, however I feel you could have been slightly more descriptive with your expression, that bone aside this is a well written piece. Thank you for sharing this poem with us,
Vehement -
I'm sad to say I never read any of Del's poems before now, but I felt as he has recently passed away, I should have a look at his final poem. It is a very good piece of work I must say.
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Oh my... this may very well have been Del's last poem.... and how well does this descrbe himself, the man that wrote it.... I just have to on this one. It's almost like Del planned it all........ the funny thing is.... he would.
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Its funny how your last poem on here left a smile, I didnt know you and I dont believe had read your work before, but it's nice your last poem was humorus and not sad, you obviously had a good sense of humor, my comiserations to your family and your friends that knew you you have left behind, God Bless.
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A poem that speaks such truth. In light of Del's passing, this takes on a rather somber meaning, though. How many of us have said we were too busy when our friends and loved ones wanted to spend time with us? How many of us have put off making that call or writing that letter because we were sure that there would be time later? We never know when our time is up, so consider this poem and think fondly of Del. Now he really does have all of the time in the world Blessings to his friends and family.
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im sure there will be many more poems to come keep writing Del theres pleanty of people in heaven who will want to listen, peace, love shelley x
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I really liked this poem. It is sad that you will never be able to appreciate it though.
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Great last poem
Aur revoir Del. Great last poem mate.
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I knew you not except in kindred prose. Now we shall communicate together in silence.
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Tbis was quite an unusual form of poetry I have never heard of...the poem is quite interesting...R.I.P Del Warren Livingston hopefully you can read this comment from above...
much love from Raneika
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yeah, i know how that is.
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Very humorous poem, however not a humorous mood, so I can't laugh at this yet Del, maybe someday I will come back and read it again and that someday a smile will form on my face.
~^~Tiya~^~
Edited on Sep 26, 6:31 p.m. because ''. -
SnugglyOrange, everyone has just recently been informed that Sir Del has deceased due to health problems. Everyone is paying him a tribute in a way.
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Really cute.
This was funny and sort of sums me up right now. -
Why are people talking this way? I'm guessing if you hear this at all, there is a god (thank bejesus) so...I loved it But... life is too short to be busy, or one day you may end up regreting all those things you were too busy to do.
Amazing how everything applies. XxX Peace and love XxX
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If only I could have read this piece earlier. Maybe I could have had a conversation with you about your love of poetic verse. Instead, I am left talking to a spirit, that might not respond to me with typed up words....maybe through a dream or vision though. Your spirit will live on in literature, as I am sure, will your followers.
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~It's really too bad I didn't get to know you while you were here~
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and I am glad that I was not too busy to read this It had that certain"good mood" feel to it ( light and humourous
xoxoxo
Reenie
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The form is a new one to me. I like the shape it creates and you have worked it into a delightful theme. Busy is good...I am at my best when busy. I am glad to see you posting again. Now, I need to catch up.
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Dear Del,
I'd never heard of this form before. As a matter of fact, if anyone had asked me to define Rictameter I'd probably have guesses it was a device for measuring rectal distances or speeds.
You are doing a great job with this collection of exotic poetry forms, many of which I'm sure will come in useful for those who avoid rhyming poetry!
Glad to see you are keeping yourself busy!!
Applause and regards, Hugh.
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