navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #40 » A Bookworm and a Poet
Open Poetry #40
Post A Reply Post New Topic A Bookworm and a Poet Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
ivordavies
Senior Member
since 2007-01-10
Posts 739
Chester, England

0 posted 2007-04-28 06:52 PM


A Bookworm and a Poet

I sat alone next to my wife,
as lonely as can be
while she explored another land
that I just could not see.

When buried in a favourite book
she’s in a trance like state,
she does not notice anything
and life just has to wait.

She’ll sit like this for many hours,
her eyes just seem to stare,
except for when she turns a page
I hardly know she’s there.

I had to find something to do
to while away my time,
so lifting up a pencil
I then took to writing rhyme.

Together now, both side by side,
adventure we can find,
she travels on the written word
while I explore my mind.

Ivor G Davies


The moment created this second, is a  moment that's going to last.
It lives the full spectrum of time, the future, the present and past.

[This message has been edited by ivordavies (04-29-2007 01:27 AM).]

© Copyright 2007 Ivor G Davies - All Rights Reserved
Drauntz
Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905
Los Angeles California
1 posted 2007-04-28 07:52 PM



poor Sir, what a wonderful life you have. You shall write lots lots lots books of poems for her to read then you have nothing to complain. ha ha ha!

have a nice day.

carter07
Junior Member
since 2007-04-26
Posts 31

2 posted 2007-04-28 09:14 PM


I love how simple you write! I never question what you were thinking which I love.
I would change this line...
"How could this be, alas, it’s true,
she loves to read, you see."
to maybe...
"how could this be you ask?
she loves to read, you see"

change "except from when she turns a page" to "except for..."

i think "to pass away my time" might flow better if it was "to while away my time"

"I then took to writing rhyme." take out then

Watch your punctuation there are excess commas. These are just my opinions on what might make it flow better. If I'm critiquing too much let me know. Love your ending stanza its perfect. I like the way you tell what made you start writing poetry. It's adorable!


ivordavies
Senior Member
since 2007-01-10
Posts 739
Chester, England
3 posted 2007-04-29 01:00 AM


Drauntz,
Thank you for your continued support,

Ivor

ivordavies
Senior Member
since 2007-01-10
Posts 739
Chester, England
4 posted 2007-04-29 01:22 AM


Carter,

Thank you for your critique, unusually for me, this was one I was not too happy with because it moved away from naturally used words in places. (not that I do not actually rework English when it suits me!)

I agree it was not quite right and I have rewritten the first stanza and have also used a couple of your suggestions to correct and soften the flow, thank you.

The 'then' you suggested removing would actually break the entire beat of the piece.  Although a logical suggestion, given the length of the line it is in, if you read this poem aloud you will find this is in couplets of 14 syllables.

Whilst I will change syllable length sometimes from stanza to stanza if appropriate, in this one it feels better as it is.

If reverted to two line couplets it would read:

I had to find something to do to while away my time,
so lifting up a pencil I then took to writing rhyme.

see what I mean?

Punctution has been re-addressed, this is one where overkill was unfortunately necessary to maintain meaning. If for instance the comma was removed after 'side by side' this would not refer to my wife and I  being side by side, but the adventures being in parallel!

Thank you once again for your indepth look at this and hope my rewrite, taking your suggestions into account, slips more smoothly through your mind...

Ivor

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
5 posted 2007-05-01 01:19 AM


An excellent and pro-active solution to a frustrating problem!  Well done!

- Owl

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
6 posted 2007-05-01 10:17 AM


Ivor, I absolutely adore this! I truly do!!!

In fact, if you don't mind, I'm saving it!

Hugs to you ~ and your wife!

Linda

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
7 posted 2007-05-02 04:15 AM


Very good. Enjoyed, martyjo
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
8 posted 2007-05-02 08:26 AM


ivordavies,
WE seem to share a similar experience.

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
9 posted 2007-05-02 10:10 AM


I'm a tremendous fan of both... being denied books or pen would be more deprivation than I could endure. *S* I like this very much! *S*
SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert
10 posted 2007-05-04 12:22 PM


Very clever, very good and a fun look at 'sitting in companionable silence'...thoroughly enjoyed.  Thank you

Dinah

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #40 » A Bookworm and a Poet

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary