Hi all.

Welcome to Cleo's 'Swap Quatrain' tile! As creator of this form, the Swap Quatrain Parameters are as follows:

Each stanza must be in the form of a quatrain that contains a reversal of line 1 in line 4. You can swap the words at any point you choose so long as they remain written in sequential order. The rhyme scheme is managed in the couplets as AABB CCDD EEFF etc. and cannot be repeated in subsequent stanzas. There are no metrical requirements, although iambs are recommended.

Good luck!

~Cleo  


Crypt-Keeper's Irony

He wanders tombs through dark of night
in search of treasures to alight
a path to riches, sweet perfumes.
Through dark of night, he wanders tombs.

This thirst he seldom seems to quench
consuming dust’s archaic stench
whilst raiding chambers, sneers death’s curse...
he seldom seems to quench this thirst.

Inscriptions warn of punishment
in frail hereafter: life’s lament
defiled - lest one Pharaoh’s scorn
of punishment, inscriptions warn.

Adorned facade discreetly hid
Necropolis’ broken lid
that once beheld doubt’s living god --
discreetly hid, adorned facade.

In Thebes amid disunity,
Stonemasons’ opportunity
is shared in Nile’s mild reeds
amid disunity -- in Thebes.

Crypt-keepers feign incompetence
whitewashed in deben bribe's defense
while Ma’at is droned through priestly reign;
incompetence -- crypt-keepers feign.

This irony remains today,
the ones in power do betray
a nourishing of Ka campaigns.
Today, this irony remains.

Copyright © Lorraine M Kanter


_{Notes:
Necropolis: An extensive and elaborate burial place serving an ancient city
Deben: A measurement of cost (a copper weight of .5 ounces) used as the unit of value for exchange, calculating value directly from the weight of gold for items of higher value, and from the weight of copper for less valuable items in an economy without coinage. A simple laborers pay was equal to 100 deben for 10-15 months work.
Ma’at: The concept of order, truth and justice. After death, a person's soul is weighed against the feather of Ma'at to determine their fate in the afterworld.
ka (in Ancient Egyptian Religion): A spiritual ‘double’ of the deceased, living within the body during life, and surviving the body after death. It was believed to be one of two spirits inhabiting the body, the main component of the soul. The ka is closely tied with the ba, the personality or psychic force of the deceased.}


A Sculptor True

Beyond the stones in times of kings
remains an antique tomb that sings
of shattered dreams and rotting bones;
in times of kings, beyond the stones.

A sculptor true, his boundless craft
whose visage served to sway the daft
a pedestal he’d made, adieu;
his boundless craft, a sculptor true.

A king no more of worthy lands
Ozymandias shifts in sands
among the weathered rocky shore;
of worthy lands, a king no more.

Do not despair, he lives in us
for we remember him and thus
his works survive, our souls do share;
he lives in us, do not despair.

Copyright © Lorraine M Kanter

The Prize

The crowd cheered on in joyful stance
as Knight Will Cace raised up his lance
and struck his foe with skillful brawn;
in joyful stance, the crowd cheered on.

His foe fell hard displaced from steed,
the one that plunged did not succeed.
Fulfilled yet stunned, he yields regard;
displaced from steed, his foe fell hard.

The prize attained for hero Case,
his status raised in Kingdom’s grace.
A celebration, honor gained -
for hero Case, the prize attained.

Copyright © Lorraine M Kanter
All Rights Reserved

Temptation

In blooms of spring the hours fade
with songbird’s call in trees of jade
transcending twilight, Eden sings;
the hours fade in blooms of spring.

The thorns of Eve rejuvenate
the fruit of man’s perplexed estate
where brilliance lay in dormant leave;
rejuvenate the thorns of Eve.

Temptation finds a fragrant fruit
soon plucked from Paradise’s chute
and eaten whole, the banner blinds
a fragrant fruit; temptation finds.

Copyright © Lorraine M Kanter
All rights reserved as an unpublished work.

Hail Cleo,

The creator of the Swap Quatrain! I just found out from reading CarrieAnn's Pandora post. Where have I been?

This new form is refreshing, yet it recalls older genres. How did you come up with this, oh holy form-stress, oh clever shape shifter?

David

Thank you David!  

Holy-form-stress, !  

I actually just had an idea one day to try and make up a new form, since I was in the midst of learning about sonnets back then. Literally, I just wanted to create something that I hadn't seen elsewhere that allowed for meter and rhyme. I had been watching 'A Knight's Tale' on Showtime at the time and wrote the first line:

The crowd cheered on in joyful stance
and decided I would use 'lance' in there somewhere since I was writing about a joust, hence L2. Then I swapped L1 and filled in L3 last in the first stanza. This is how I write the Swap (or I may write L1 or L4 first, then swap 'em, then fill in L2 and L3).  

Try one?    

~Cleo

Dear Cleo,
It is typical for all of us poetry hobbyists to explore new poetic forms. Considering that poetry's been around for a few years and there have been more than several practitioners, there is a surprizingly small number of accepted forms.
I believe the only one I've come upon which deserves a place in the text books is the Swap Quatrain.
Cheers,     Ron

I'll swap this thought with you my dear,
If it's of you, it's full of cheer,
For mother spoke and I've been taught
with you my dear I'll swap this thought.

A love so true as ours has been,
A melody by violin,
For we are one who once were two
As ours has been a love so true.

As we go on we're hand in hand,
Devotion we can but expand.
Our eyes so bright as summer's dawn,
When hand in hand as we go on.

QUOTE (jgdittier @ Nov. 22 2004, 10:41)

Dear Cleo,
It is typical for all of us poetry hobbyists to explore new poetic forms. Considering that poetry's been around for a few years and there have been more than several practitioners, there is a surprizingly small number of accepted forms.
I believe the only one I've come upon which deserves a place in the text books is the Swap Quatrain.
Cheers,     Ron

Hello Ron!  

You've made a friend for life with me! Thanks so much for your praise of this form!  

Let's spread the word and write one a week for the next month, shall we? Let's try and focus on the holiday season?  

I'll start a separate thread for the idea - and DO let me know what you think!  

Cheers!  
~Cleo  

Lovely poem Ron!  

You've gotten something magical in your life and turned it into an even more magical piece!

Cheers!
~Cleo  

A Sculptor True

Beyond the stones in times of kings
remains an antique tomb that sings
of shattered dreams and rotting bones;
in times of kings, beyond the stones.

A sculptor true, his boundless craft
whose visage served to sway the daft
a pedestal he’d made, adieu;
his boundless craft, a sculptor true.

A king no more of worthy lands
Ozymandias shifts in sands
among the weathered rocky shore;
of worthy lands, a king no more.

Do not despair, he lives in us
for we remember him and thus
his works survive, our souls do share;
he lives in us, do not despair.

Copyright © Lorraine M Kanter
All rights reserved as an unpublished work.

   A Pure Celebration  

On choppy waters the Mayflower sailed
carrying Ancestry: Atlantic scaled.
King James thus bred Revolution's daughters,
the Mayflower sailed on choppy waters.

Plymouth Plantation, our vast history,
a Voyage to plant the first colony.
Refugees sought long to find salvation,
Our vast history, Plymouth Plantation.

Puritan pilgrims put fate in God's hands
intent to take up the Wampanoag's lands,
Settlers of outcasts who vowed to create
in Gods hands, puritan pilgrims put fate.

Bigotrous victim from lands near and far
reject "Revelation" imposing 'Saint's Star'.
Mathew the Elder gave thanks: a new dictum
from lands near and far, bigotrous victim.

Forced to seek aid from the 'savage' they fought,
Squanto did teach them the ways of the crop.
First harvest a bounty, by skill and spade
from the 'savage' they fought, forced to seek aid.

A pure celebration that lasted three days,
Pilgrim and Indian together gave praise
bountiful blessings of labor's new nation
that lasted three days, a pure celebration.

© 2004 Lorraine M Kanter
All rights reserved as an unpublished work

CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE ALL YEAR

From bright New Year right through to May
big stores recover from Christmas fray;
they pack away all their fake “cheer”,
right through to May, from bright New Year.

In early Spring the buyers rush
about the trade fairs over-lush
with toys and knick-knacks, every damn thing,
the buyers rush in early Spring.

In August time the decks are cleared
to fix for fest soon to be feared;
the first of this season’s pantomime,
the decks are cleared in August time.

Come September new staff are hired,
the rest ? With enthusiasm fired :
“Customer is Christmas King, Remember”,
new staff are hired come September.

From October, while all is hectic
behind scenes is made decor eclectic,
as yet the staff all stay quite sober,
while all is hectic from October.

At start of November the going gets tough;
deliveries ! All these piles of stuff !
For record sales, give start from last year’s ember,
the going gets tough, at start of November.

Will we last December, the world’s gone zany,
of most too few, of the rest FAR too many !
Santa’s drunk, just like last year, rememBER;
the world’s gone zany, will we last December ?

(deep and noisy breath ! ) From the New Year right through to May ....

Alan McAlpine Douglas

BRAVO ALAN!

This is AWESOME!  

You've given some food for thought here!

Great tile - hope you'll come back in now once a week (or more) to add to this practice thread...  

Cheers!

Santa’s drunk, just like last year, rememBER;
the world’s gone zany, will we last December ?


Great ending too!  

~Cleo  

OK, Lori, since you asked so nicely... my fourth form poem in twelve years. Another one in three years, maybe.

(Sorry, Lori - I've only just seen that you stipulated a theme. Never mind, just pretend. They are off on their (winter) hols anyway, Nessa has a tinsel necklace and SQ has baubles dangling from each... ear).

Copyright etc.

We Proudly Present...
The monster that time forgot!
(But Lori remembered).

=============================================
Grip the seats in horror (no, not someone else's),
Thrills, Spills (sorry, but no Quixotic windmills...)
The is romance for an evolutionary age...
As Bog Man meets Fish Wife!

Please note: There is to be no bog-snorkelling in this cinema.

This is a Me-too Gold-win Monster production. Roar. Roar.
=============================================

Ref: RL !-201 AB

The Love Story of SQ -
The  Swamp Quatrain.
by RL.

Swamp Quatrain -  a funny fellow -
from deep mires, sound strange bellows.
Is he upset? Is he in pain?
A funny fellow - Swamp Quatrain.

Eons ago, the World was young,
SQ wouldn’t climb Darwin’s rungs.
Left behind with nowhere to grow -
the World was young, eons ago.

Living at the end of Loch Ness
in the Scottish bog; what a mess!
Tetchy and seldom forgiving.
At the end of Loch Ness: Living.

Now SQ has a friend: Nessa;
she’s delighted him: his vesta.
Happy at last; life on the mend,
Nessa - now SQ has a friend.

Elation - swimming out to sea;
Nessa and SQ, one and free.
Ended - misery, frustration;
swimming out to sea - elation!

Dear Jox,

My goodness, 4 in 12 years, careful, you'll turn into Shakespeare next !

A lovely tail (Ha! ) of love requited, but I have to ask, should it not be
Swan Quatrain, what with the matchless Vesta involved !

I'm also interested in your use of the swap - Lori, as I recall, split the line equally in two, and I know I did too, but you have managed very well to break it wherever you pleased, thus in effect liberating the form somewhat. Well done, I will of course snitch that idea for use myself.

Oh, and I love the disgusting pun implicit in your title and idea ! No doubt you will now flood the market ....

Love
Alan

Hi Alan,

Thanks!

Wagger-dagger? Thanks but I've heard he's not been too good in recent centuries - gone off, don't you know!

No, swans have gone on off strike!

This vesta far pre-dates them... their inspiration, shall we say. (As you will realise, I know).

Thanks for the split comment - I simply couldn't stick 100% to form! (Mind you, Lori didn't stipulate whence the split ought to be, so I didn't even need to buy a Poetic Licence.)

Lori did say "reversed" but she didn't mean that. Such would make:

"Beyond the stones in times of Kings" into

"Kings of times in stones the beyond."

So I took my opening and ran with it. Seems I've created a hole new angle.

Perhaps this version of the Swap Q is "The Swamp Q Variation"! (What an Enigma that would be).

This looks like we're being lovvies, but I really liked yours, too. As my partner manages a retail shop I especially liked some of the messages. I believe Lord Dicky A is thriiled, too, darling.

James.

(Sorry, it's a Brit acting thing - rather like Hollywood but with more duckie).

Hey, y'all... I've pondered this form for a week or so, and a thought occurred to me in church I'd like to pass on, so it's perhaps both telling and prophetic that it came out in this form that I will either call the Dyslexic Swap or the Spear Shake Swap (ABAB)

That’s Why

Although I’m slow, I’m thankful I can read.
Still, I would like to find a way to show
how much my dull, dyslexic eyes impede.
I’m thankful I can read, although I’m slow.

When I take little bites, I do quite well…
without too much distraction. Something lights
my understanding, and it starts to gel;
I do quite well… when I take little bites.

Somehow, a word-filled page confuses me;
I tighten up or panic; though I vow
to plug away, ere long my mind will flee.
A word-filled page confuses me somehow.

That’s why the poems I write and read are short.
I’m grateful I’m not stupid, though I’m shy
of breadth and depth of facts I may import.
The poems I write and read are short… That’s why.

© Daniel J Ricketts 28 Nov 2004

Very clever James!

I knew you'd bring Nessie into this!    

Great job! See - I knew you had it in you!

   

~Cleo  

Hello Daniel!  

I LIKE your version of the SWAP - I think we should call it the 'Inversion Swap' - what do you think? ABAB CDCD EFEF

Nice job Danielsan!  

Now - next one don't ne so HARSH on yourself!

HUGS!
~Cleo  

Dear Cleo,

"I think we should call it the 'Inversion Swap'"

in which case you'll have to call Jox's one the "Immersion Swap" !

Love
Alan

Hmmm...

Let me add my two cents in here:

1) James' seeming variation on what Cleo offered in her instructions is really no variation at all, since her description of the part that is to be swapped (I'd suggest that word in your description/instructions, LorII.) said nothing at all about the length of the phrase or clause (and the description, I think ought to say 'phrase or clause' methinks, to prevent a mere word exchange).  James merely varied from her example, which as I think he argued is really not a variation.

2)  My name for this variation is Spear Shake Swap for this reason.  Like the Shakespearean Sonnet, the rhyme scheme is ABAB, and it was actually fostered by my dyslexic mind's mixing up the instructions when they were not right in front of me... as if that would have helped -- thus Shakepearean becomes Spear Shake.  Since I 'invented' it,  shouldn't I have some say?

And LorII...

How was I being harsh?  I was merely trying to explain to y'all why I don't do prose and get flustered with

a) long poems
B) lengthy discussion ABOUT a poem and suggestions that require back and forth looks to the original and the discussion [ in which I become hopelessly lost because of the difficulty already of staying on one line ] instead of SHOWING the suggestions graphically by pasting them BETWEEN or WITHIN the lines being discussed for ease of understanding.

When I don't take part in a crit after someone's lengthy, drawn-out discussion, just know that that is why.  So if someone wants to keep me out of a thread, that is a wonderful, subtle method to use.  It works almost every time.

I HAVE at times been hard on myself, LorII, but I'm working on NOT doing that, and in the last couple of weeks I've been successful.  So please know that there's not a single feeling of being hard on me in these lines... or of feeling sorry for myself.  It's just accepting the reality that I don't have time to read long stuff.  THAT would be being hard on myself... to subject myself to the frustration because of the dyslexia (and maybe adult ADHD).  I hope that makes sense.

sharin' deLight, Daniel  :sun:

P.S.  Please pardon the length of my own reply.  I doubt that I'll read it again!

Hi Daniel.  

This is an exercise thread that I hope will do two things:
1. Involve more folks to learn of this SWAP Quatrain form (MY original form, no variations please in this thread, please use my AABB CCDD format).

2. Create a weekly writing exercise with a holiday theme.


I am delighted that you have created another version of the SWAP using a ABAB CDCD pattern - feel free to post it as a variation of this form if you wish here in Karnak...

Regards!
Cleo  

Thanks Lori,

I knew you'd bring Nessie into this!

Oh dear! Predictable. Time to bring on the singing chocolate turtles methinks.

Glad you enjoyed seeing where your creature lived and how he improved his lot. By the way, SQ and Nessa send their regards - they are holidaying somewhere off Jamaica at the moment - expect a postcard from them via Grace any day now.

You're right about other versions going elsewhere - SQ has only just sorted himself out and any alterations would completely mess-up his swimming rhythm.

Bore da to you.

James.

Now that's a turnabout!  ... and maybe even a bit harsh!  I TOLD you exactly how I'd 'created' this (as a mistake, an accident, a dyslexic reality for me!), and didn't want to just waste it... since the lines obviously can't be merely swithced around, since there is enjambement.

A sonnet does not cease to be a sonnet when you vary the the rhyme scheme.  It simply is a Shakespearean or Petrarchan or whatever kind of one, but still a SONNET.

But then I suppose the ones who varied back then were likewise said to be imposters?

sLightly stunned, Daniel  :sun:

Hi Daniel,

It's not for me to speak for anyone but I don't think Lori was trying to be harsh. I think she simply wanted to delineate forms. (You know forms and I - these divisions and overlaps are another reason I'm not a fan generally).

I took the message that Lori welcomed your addition and thought it so much of an invention that it was actually a major variation - such that it justified a new thread of its own. Whereas I was, as we all agree, simply varying a cut-point, not a rhyme scheme.

I think Lori's idea is simply that the two, quite different approaches, should co-exist but not be confused in the minds of those of us who struggle with Limericks, let alone Swamp Qs. She's not saying "go away"; on the contrary she wants specific recognition and threading for each variation.

Well, that's how I read it - haven't asked her but I'm sure that a rebuff was the last thing in her mind.

Any help?

All the best, James.

I did not and do not have a serious desire to create a poetic form with my name on it [ except faux-ku ].  Alan was not making a serious suggestion, and neither was I!  I was merely entering into the sometimes ridiculous banter that poets throw about between themselves, and with my tongue firmly planted against my cheek.  A variation is a variation, James.  I agree with you completely that yours was NOT a variation at all.  I further admitted that mine was, and that it was simply a mistake.  However, it was received initially with approval and hugs.  My shock is over the turnabout, nothing more.

scratchin' my head Lightly, Daniel  

P.S. ... and I further gave a rather lengthy explanation as to why I struggle over such things and make such mistakes at times...

It must be cleaned the fireplace flue
I think a chimney sweep will do,
For from my children I have gleaned
The fireplace flue, it must be cleaned.

Soil Santa's suit, should chimney soot?
Must ole St. Nick up with that put?
No he deserves a pristine route.
Should chimney soot soil Santa's suit?

All o'er the earth our stacks are clean,
No dirty Santa have I seen.
For  flues he'd sweep, his bag and girth,
Our stacks are clean all o'er the earth.

Not one's a fool, those chimney sweeps,
They clean so well for weeks it keeps.
Without those guys there'd be no Yule.
Those chimney sweeps, not one's a fool.

Dear Ron,

This is a lovely addition to the literature of Christmas, lots of funny lines and an underlying truth !

Well done.

Love
Alan

Dear Alan and All,
The swap quatrain justmight also yield some really memorable poetry if careful consideration is given to making the inverted lines read normally. If poetic license allowed, they fit humorous light verse exceptionally well, but I wonder what one carefully polished might read.
My next I'll ask for serious critique to make it the best it might be.
Cheers,      jgd

How others do it, I'm not sure, but to write something serious I must wait for my muse's support. She only punches in rarely, so impatiently I've posted another swap quaitrain, open for improvement but not  ready for prime time.

If I could write, I'd hone each word,
My verse would sing, my song be heard.
In dulcet tones, would each delight...
I'd hone each word if I could write.

If I could feel, I would emote,
To kiss the clouds my thoughts would float.
To mankind's best would I appeal,
I would emote if I could feel.

On angel's wing to Shangra-la
My burst of verse hold all in awe.
'Tis like that place where sea nymphs sing,
To Shangri-la on angel's wing.

Well done additions Ron!  

Please come again and post your holiday themed SQ's here...

Cheers!
~Cleo  

SWOT QUATRAINS

To learn ? It's a pleasure,
gives weight to my measure;
if I've got troubles to burn,
it's a pleasure to learn.

Studying's something I like
helps me "get on my bike"
when my life needs some pedalling
something I like's studying

I swot when I'm turned on
so very hard to go wrong
much safer than you-know-what
I'm turned on when I swot !

Alan McAlpine Douglas

PS - NOT my best, but still a good exercise !

so I’m a Krank

I can’t; I don’t.
I’m done; I won’t.
It’s true, I shan’t.
I don’t; I can’t

This year, no tree
Just wait and see:
no mess to clear;
no tree this year

No cards I’ll send;
there’d be no end.
To all our bards
I’ll send no cards.

I'm Scrooge?  Too bad!
No gifts!  So sad?
My wallet’s huge.
Too bad; I’m Scrooge!

© MLee Dickens’son 01 Dec 2004

Dear Daniel,

A Krank ?

You certainly handle it well ....

Love
Alan

Err, I thought I was the awful punner round here.

"A Krank ?
You certainly handle it well ...."

Well, I suppose it's Alan's TURN now!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

J.

QUOTE (Jox @ Dec. 01 2004, 09:57)

Err, I thought I was the awful punner round here.

"A Krank ?
You certainly handle it well ...."

Well, I suppose it's Alan's TURN now!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

J.

One good tern deserves another,
and soon you have a whole flock
o' cranky sea vultures
vainly tryin' to erne a livin'!

Recommendation: Let's keep our day jobs!

turnin' a phrase Lightly, Daniel  :sun:

Dear Daniel,
Although poetry can be exalting, it can also be fun and entertaining and I can only laugh and congratulate you for extending the limits of the SW. No baah humbugs from me!
Nicely done.
Cheers,    jgd

Thanks so much for the encouraging comments, Ron! (And by the way, did I tell you that I had a roomate for several months in Glendale, CA during my college days there, by the name of Ron Jones, who was related to the person behind the "Casey Jones" trainman lore!?

Continuing our Holiday theme, I'll add another one.  I won't put me in GQ, but perhaps I might make it into SQQ?

Close Makes the Man?

I had no clothes
in baby pose;
See… I weren’t sad
no clothes I had.

As I contoured
some duds procured;
rare was the guy
contoured as I.

As I have aged
I see that my
young thought and eye
have aged as I.

New Year’s may bring
a festive fling;
glad rags and peers
may bring new years.

© MLee Dickens’son 01 Dec 2004

Dear Dan,
Without a doubt you have a spark that turns verse to fun and entertains. I believe it takes the essence of perfection for pure poetry to entertain as easily as light verse does, but that seems to be every serious poet's goal and I hope we reach it together (if you're not there already)!
Cheers,    jgd

Christmas and New Year's cheers to you as well, Ron!

I deeply appreciate your comment and encouragement.  It has long been my goal to work toward serious Light poetic expression.

enLighteningly serious, Daniel  :sun:

Daniel!

A very good use of Swap Quatrain rhythms....

I like your shorter syllable counts too!



~Cleo  

You are a wiz at these Daniel!

Well done!  

~Cleo  

Hmmm...  

Has Trois-par-Huit distracted us from our weekly assignment?

Silent Night
. . . Holy Cow!

If I could write
about that night
I surely would
write… if I could.

Our night woke up.
A startled pup
yapped… blazing Light
woke up our night.

I would shout how
it felt.  Right now
I wish I could
shout.  How I would!

I’m still a sheep…
can’t say a peep,
I’m by God’s will
a sheep.  I’m still.

© Daniel J Ricketts 11 Dec 2004

Another excellent piece Daniel!

I should try your 4 syllable style too?!

Cheers!
~Cleo :)

This One Thing

They journeyed far from Babylon
on laden camels, three were drawn.
A brilliant glow from sightly star
from Babylon, they journeyed far.

The coming of Christ, priests foretold
bringing frankincense, myrrh and gold.
His tribute prophesied precise,
priests foretold the coming of Christ.

A peace on earth, this baby’s joy
the wise men three find infant boy
and look upon their savior’s birth
this baby’s joy, a peace on earth.

Melchior, Casper and Balthasar
gifts they brought from lands afar.
King, God and Suffering Redeemer
Balthasar, Casper and Melchior.

              #       #       #

If Kings should tread by this - my door,
I’ll leave a note in shoe once more;
This wish of mine to all is spread,
by this my door if Kings should tread.

Each year I ask for this one thing
as Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Peace on Earth, a mighty task
for this one thing - each year I ask.

© 2004 Lorraine M Kanter

Hi Lori,

That's rather a good evocation of Crimble, mixing both the trad and the modern. Well done.

I know this isnt a crit forum but I just wondered if "savior" should be capitalised? (as are Lord etc) - I'm not actually sure about that one but you may wish to think about it).

Anyways... rather good methinks - Like the Crimble colour, too.

James.

Thank you James!

I just posted this one for the Pandora 2nd Nov challenge "Adoration of the Magi"...

Ho Ho Ho!
Cleo

I am no longer nimble
so James, what is Crimble?
means you don't X-mas monger?
Nimble I am no longer.

a nice swap, LorII. Fine message.  It's a shoe-in!  

Just a bit of a nit, if you will...

It's "prophesied"  
Lightly, Daniel  

Hi Daniel,

Forgive me if I don't answer in verse... I'm not good like that!

“Crimble” is simply a British slang term for Christmas. I have no idea where it came from - my partner introduced me to it a quarter of a century ago and I suppose it's stuck.

“Crimbo” or “Chrimbo” are other variants.

I have never used "Xmas" - we were taught not to at school and I was suitably indoctrinated.

As John Lennon once said, “Merry Crimble and Happy Rudolph” - wishing you that Daniel.

Take care, James.

Seasoned Greedings

Happy Rudolph!
Pleasant Time Off!
Make that sappy
Rudolph happy.

Red nose reindeer -
Russian cloud seer -
forecast which blows
rain, dear.  Red knows.

Pleasant weather
get-together:
feed some peasant
whither pleasant.

Make it sunny,
though, dear honey;
then I'll fake it
sunny, make it.