Why I Joined All Poetry – a NON-ENTRY
I joined AP in ‘003 to share my love of poetry
with others whom I might there find and, thereby, to improve my mind.
Since I was ten I’d written verse and prose, (I don’t know which was worse!)
and, from schoolmasters now long dead, a lot of praise went to my head.
I won a lot of English prizes for my scholastic exercises
which, as I somewhat older got, I came to view as piles of rot
and burned the lot.
Then at the University, professors who encouraged me
and the great choral works I’d sung, fostered my love of mother tongue.
But during years of work and stress I found my time for writing less.
Until the time when I retired, I’d written scarce to be admired.
My PC, gifted by my wife, has much enhanced my recent life.
When surfing Internet one night, I chanced upon the AP site -
I was hooked tight.
Seven hundred poems posted later, some of them short and others greater,
it seems my writing never ends and I have made a lot of friends.
Of fifty favourites on my list, (some moved away, still sorely missed,)
there yet remain a loyal few from whom I’ve learned a thing or two.
My love for them and theirs for me is the greatest blessing through AP.
In Castle Huguelot’s great hall, we join together for our Annual Ball
and I love them all.
Those who are in my Favourites’ Group comprise an awesome poet troupe
where each and every Huguenauty can demonstrate their special forte
by entering our fun contests where topics range from dress to breasts,
from wet T-shirts to history, time-travel and the galaxy.
The winners are resolved by voting, every entrant’s choice denoting.
That it has worked so splendidly is due to rules compiled by Dee
approved by me.
So I support the AP site. For rhymed and metered verse I fight,
allowing the poetic right of all, whatever style they write.
Dissent may happen as it might but I’ll not harbour strife or spite.
Let’s strive to reach yet greater height by following the Christian Light.
Thus, through the realms of poesy, as members of All-Poetry,
I hope that everyone can see what membership has meant to me
and why I joined AP.
Hugh (R.), January 5th. 2008.
Author notes
Of over 50 poets (and former poets) named on my Favourites' List, 37 are enrolled as members of 'Hugh Wyles Favourites Group' and are therefore eligible to participate in the Huguenauties Contest Site.
I've loved more deeply than I should
and sometimes been misunderstood
and yet the loyalty, love and fun
is worth more than the trophies won.
In a list
A contest entry
- CONTEST# 26 FOR HUGH WYLES FAVOURITES ONLY by huguenauties.
750 points, ended January 15, 2008, 10 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Dear Babe,
It's a good thing you came to All-Poetry as look at all the fun we would've missed and I wouldn't have met Heath.
You are our rock Babe here in your favourite's group and you're loved by so many of your faves.
A wonderful non entry my dear.
Love Hine.XOXOXO
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A good one Hugh, as always
It's easy to tell that you enjoy the site and the group as well as writing those wonderful poems for us to enjoy.
Darlene
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Some men think that retirement is the end of productive life, but you have proved them all wrong. You are the centre of a large circle of great poets, and your skill and innovations in sonnets provide an example of freedom to all who follow you. Wonderful poem, Hugh, I'm glad I know you.
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It's interesting to hear how people found AllPoetry. You bumped into it, others came by word of mouth, who knows what other ways there might be.
I found it in a Google search because I was looking for new a writing site to lose myself into after a rather crappy break-up and flight back home from across country. I always hoped it would morph into a poetry and fiction site but it never has. I've been a member of about 8 other sites, been chased off two and the others died...I'm a bad seed.
That's why I went to AP. I stay here to annoy people.
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Dear Hugh, I'm pleased you got your poem back in the Contest.
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I still remember when you asked me to be in your favourite list, as well as your welcome acrostic (to Brida back then). Four years have passed since that day, and we still continue in each other's lists. We can't say that happens too often around here.
I wish you many more years of fun and poesy
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you are a very great poet and I am so glad that you found AP because if not I would not have known you and your beautiful wife Edna. Your kindness is more than anyone could ask for. thanks for being a friend. Maryann22
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Dear Hugh,
Even when writing about the people and things that mean so much to you, you do it with a poetic grace I greatly admire. Form, meter, rhyme, and most of all...love. I'll never forget how honored I felt to be asked to become a part of your favorites group, and while I haven't participated as much as I'd like, I'm still honored to be here, but mostly just to have met you. A great poem you've got, and TY so much for sharing it with us.
Love ands
~J.
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Dear Hugh,
I remember seeing your comments on a lot of my favourites and sending you a message that we should add each other as faves. We have been best friends ever since and our friendship has grown to the point that we have met in person, twice so far and in another 33 more days Sharon and I will be landing in Christchurch and you and Edna will be there waiting for us. You have taught me how to write good poetry which I appreciate very much.
Thankyou for being my friend and sharing this wonderful poem with us on how you came to join Allpoetry.
Love Bea.
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Very prosiac with rhymes
Hugh:
I love this historical poem that is easy to read for the rhyme schemes. If it wasn't for your support along with Angelica, Catz, and too many others to mention, I would not have been able to survive with my medical conditions. I remeber during my heart operation how you rallied the members here to write poetry for me to take to the hospital and I came back fully refreshed. You are a true inspirational friend whos has no baises and shines loght in my world when I am feeling ill. Now I am at that point again where coming here and reading the many poems of my favoites give me strength. I am experiencing my fifth bout of shingles/Zona where thr pain is unbearable. Due to the stresses of my medical conditions I am in constant pain and now on morphine to help me with this. It has attacked the cental nerves that run from the back of the neck to the legs and I have many sores on my body that even cream cannot help. I have been three weeks on the treatment to control it from spreading and the doctors now say that it will be two to three months of pain. My left leg is completely electrically shot, every time I move my head the pain shoots throughout my back down to my foot. I am always traditionally medically stoned, quit the marijuana for now because it does not help but interferes with the morphine and codine. I am so glad that we meet although we have yet to see one another in hyman form. Keep giving your compassionate advice and now that your friendship over the miles has keptme going. Keep writing Buddy.
Gregg
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A pleasure to read
Dear Hugh,
I am very pleased you found Allpoetry as I would've missed out on the pleasure of knowing you and being one of your favourites. I'm going to enjoy the entries on how your other faves joined allpoetry.
Thankyou for sharing a part of your life with us.
Love Jen
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You've told so poeticly of your life of poetry, Hugh. This is a nice piece as always. You really do have a talent and love for the written word. I remember our first meeting on allpoetry when I was a greeter. I'll forever be grateful for that chance meeting and getting to know you, being the first of your 'favorites', our collaborations and responsive poems with each other.
You're an asset to the site and I'm glad to know you and to have been a part of your pleasure here
Dee
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Dear Hugh,
As always, I enjoyed your poem.
It was interesting to learn your poetic history! I'm glad you found All Poetry. Belonging to your group has meant a lot to me.
(I'd better stop or I won't have anything left to write about in my contest poem!)
Love and Hugs,
Maureen
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