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Toast to a Dead Poet

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Toast to a Dead Poet

His stature mattered not, on Windsor’s path;
composing verse 'neath Forest canopy.
His written lines were like a woven lath, 
they opened doors to new reality.
Consider this: his wielding of the pen,
with lasting verse as etched upon a stone;
like Arthur’s sword that burned the hearts of men
and scorching souls unto their very bone.
I stand in praise ... and lift my crystal glass
and toast good friends as we recite his quotes.
"To he who chased his share of lovely ass,
in all of Europe's finest petticoats."
      Satirically he penned his lines so brave;
      perhaps the Greek is shaking in his grave.

 

 



 

Author notes

"the Greek" is Homer

 

Source: Wikipedia:

Alexander Pope ( 21 May 1688 30 May 1744 ) is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the eighteenth century [1] , best known for his satirical verse and for his translation of Homer . He is the third most frequently quoted writer in the English language, after Shakespeare and Tennyson . Pope was a master of the heroic couplet . From early childhood he suffered numerous health problems, including Pott's disease (a form of tuberculosis affecting the spine ) which deformed his body and stunted his growth, no doubt helping to end his life at the relatively young age of 56. He never grew beyond 1.37 metres (4 feet 6 inches) tall. This short stature did not stop him from his love for many women.

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1 - 41 of 41

  • freespirit51 gold member
    September 28
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    Edit | Reply
    Dear friend you have done a masterful job with this amazing sonnet. I do love the sonnet as it can blend to so many subjects. Thanks for the history lesson on the poet Alexander Pope as well.


  • masterblaster gold member
    September 24
    Edit | Reply
    Hi, excellent. Di


  • princess Jewelcat22
    September 24

    Edit | Reply
    This is awesome!! Your description is so lovely!!! You put a lot of detail and effort into this!!! Great word choice!! Your words and stanzas flow like rivers!! This is beautiful!! I love IT!!

  • Pisces Pieces
    September 17

    Edit | Reply
    I love the content! I am a big fan of the old days, especially England type..kings and queens, mistresses and such...anyway, this gave me that feeling...not that I know much about it, I just like reading and envisioning it.

    And this made me smile!


  • Dalaney gold member
    September 1

    Edit | Reply
    Delicious and devilish....just the way I like it   Perfect, as always, and I thank you for the grin   Love to you, lil sis, Lane

  • Interesting...Thanks for entering.

  • Tirrell gold member
    August 26

    Edit | Reply
    A beautiful sonnet, I have not read pope as yet, but he has been on my list for future readings. This poem is so beautiful, perhaps I shall procure some readings sooner than later. Most well done! Glad to see you placed high in the contest it was in.

  • I was given a book of Pope's poetry as a present a few years ago. I read it cover to cover at one sitting. I think I could read you in the same way, this is perfect.

  • When there is no one more adept, a poet passes beyond criticism. As with the poet to whom you pay tribute here, you have become a standard by which all critique their own and others' poetry.
    I enjoyed this, especially the toast itself, but all of it for its masterful artistry. It was an effortless read, like listening to a perfectly tuned instrument in the hands of a master.

  • satire mix with history

    Alexander Pope, his pen scirted and flirted with words;
    lovely satirical tribute in a sonnet ..

  • What an awesome tribute. You definitely did your research, as always, and with impressive results.
    I didn't know all of that. In fact, I know little about Pope or his work. I will have to check it out though.
    Very interesting write and intriguing choice.
    Congrats on your much deserved silver!


  • Ithica silver member
    June 4

    Edit | Reply
    I am starting to think I'd rather read your Sonnets than labor over writting them myself... it is so much more enjoyable, and I always seem to learn something... [except your secret... hehe!!!]

  • Hetha gold member
    May 30

    Edit | Reply
    I can only say-Wow! the poem was lyrical, inspirational, and I loved your footnotes. Sheer excellence! Not to mention entertaining, as you recall how the man himself lived. Congrats on snagging the Silver!

  • ... and well done on getting the silver.
  • Thank you for the history lesson you included with your outstanding poem. Your very personal tribute to Pope is laced with references that might have been confusing to everyone. Your writing is wonderful, lyrical and accessible. Nicely done. Peace, Liz

  • Excellent. Completely spot on and just superb to read and enjoy. Well done! ~Pamela


    • Amera gold member
      May 14

      Edit | Reply
      Thank you so much! Your signature on one of my poems is a thrill for me.
      Love,
      Amera♥

  • Vozhd
    May 14

    Edit | Reply
    cricketjeff told me you wrote good sonnets. I can see that he was right about that. There are some really good poems in this contest.


  • Swan song gold member
    May 10

    Edit | Reply
    I feel like I just went to school and this guy is proof that short guys are not out of the pciture lol
    I thnk it is diffcult for people to write in sonnet form and be factual I know it is for me
    Well done

  • This is undoubtedly ...

    the best of your poems I've seen.

    Far and away the best.

  • This is quite wonderful, you know I love your sonnets and this must be the best of them. I am now going to read lots of Pope's poetry, thank you very much.

  • His stature mattered not, on Windsor’s path;
    composing verse 'neath Forest canopy.
    His written lines were like a woven lath,
    they opened doors to new reality.


    A very effective and enjoyable sonnet, capturing the contrast of Pope's's stature as man and poet perfectly.

  • Here's to Pope Alexander

    (space goes here)...who made Friday nights what they are today!

    Salute!!!

    Nice of you to remember him!

    . Rewarded 4

  • wonderful job here poet. As usual you made me smile.
    I love you and best of luck.

  • A wonderful sonnet Amera. showing respect giving humour, flowing brilliantly from the form and choice of words

    Wishing you luck in the contest


    Cindy

    . Rewarded 4

  • I'm totally bypassing this contest. you already won

    miley

  • maa gold member
    May 1

    Edit | Reply
    I was thinking of participating in this contest, too ... but you are serious competition !
    you surpassed yourself with this sonnet, amera ...

    I lift my glass bottle of apple-juice in your honor ...


    maa

  • Eusebius
    May 1

    Edit | Reply

    bravo

    Really, quite excellent in every regard (I was not aware that Pope was such a rascal!) I especially loved this line:" stand in praise ... and lift my crystal glass" ...bravo... bravo... bravo...


  • myrataal silver member
    May 1

    Edit | Reply

    Perfection in poetry ...

    indeed!

    I loved all of this poem, Amera ... it is wondrous.

    Suggestion -- more effective punctuation:

    Consider this: his wielding of the pen,

    and ... the ellipse has THREE dots, with a space before the first dot:

    I stand in praiseX...Xand lift my crystal glass (X for space)

    and toast good friends as we recite his quotes:

    "To he who chased his share of lovely ass,
    in all of Europe's finest petticoats." (close the quote AFTER the full stop, for it is a complete sentence)


    Puntuation asks for painstaking discipline, I know.

    It does NOT take away from this SUPERB poem, a sure winner.

    Love to you,
    Myra



    • Amera gold member
      May 1
      Edit | Reply
      Oooo ... thank you! I didn't know about the space before an ellipse. I shall fix it right away!
      • I never put a space before an ellipsis, and I have been doing it like that for years, without trouble from proof-readers. Subsequent research indicates that my way is a minority usage.

  • blueyez
    May 1

    Edit | Reply
    I love it! Penned so gracefully it skates across the page! I do have a fav line
    Consider this; his wielding of the pen,
    with lasting verse as etched upon a stone;
    like Arthur’s sword that burned the hearts of men
    and scorching souls unto their very bone.
    scorching unto their very bone!!!! sends chills down my spine!

    Peace and Love

  • Arzab
    May 1

    Edit | Reply
    Beautiful write, Sis. The last two lines were powerful. It makes me think of how people can seem to out up a front sometimes in life, like how sometimes people may put up a strong or angry personality when underneath they may really be scared and kinder than people realize. I've come across a few people like that in my life who seemed like jerks until you start talking to them and realizing that they are human and have their hopes and fears like everyone else. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.

  • Amera another wonderful write from your pen, my lady you are one of the finest poets I do have thepleasure of knowing love it love it love it!!!!


  • Mairi bheag gold member
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    Sister, will the real you please keep busting out like this! This one comes close to your Primavera sonnet in flow and treatment of the subject. It is you feeling a subject and moulding your thoughts >IN< a form, not selecting a form and trying to fit words to it. If you keep writing with such maturity, you will not need me to teach you anything any more.

    Bloody sneaky, though, picking the secondary judge's favourite poet! Just you watch... you'll finish higher-placed than me in this contest!


  • poeticweaver gold member
    April 30

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    Love the language in this, so wonderfully versed teach.. You rocked it on this write indeed! I can see why you are so proud, I would be to. Thanks for sharing your talent here, I learn alot from you. Peace, your friend and fan, Timothy~


  • PerVirtuous gold member
    April 30

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    This has everything! Great poetry, a reference to Homer, and lovely ass! What more could any red-blooded poet want? There's even a drink, complete with a toast! I want to come to this party! I love it. I'll buy the next round and toast you winning gold!


  • sunshinegirl
    April 30

    Edit | Reply
    What a great job you did on this one!! I love every word of this wonderful read, although I favor Robert Frost, Pope was not bad. You did a great job on this one!!

    Best of luck in this contest!!

    and love

    Nyetta


  • MJ Donnelly gold member
    April 30

    Edit | Reply
    Delightful! Best of luck in the contest dear Amera.


    Love and peace always,
    mj.


  • Ithica silver member
    April 30
    Edit | Reply
    You wield a mighty fine pen yourself and it too burns hearts and sears soul and provides some mighty fine comic relief too!!! hehe! Wonderful tribute, withsignature style...

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