AGING GRACEFULLY, Wizard Award Winner Options

[Cybele]

Here you go James, crit away!


[b]REVISIONS IN ITALICS



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AGING GRACEFULLY



I’m past me sell-by date, I know;
Me steps don’t spring,
Me cheeks don’t glow
and I have noticed every day
me toes are getting farther away
when I try to touch ‘em.

But I can choose the clothes I wear
from market stalls
~ and who would care?
Me navel piercing looks its best
beneath me lovely thermal vest
when chill  winds  blow.

Me stockings and me lacy garters
no longer grace me lower quarters,
But rest in drawers in bright arrays.
reminders of me past hey-days
as a dolly bird.

Me hot pants and me knee-high boots
peroxide hair with its darker roots,
are now remembered with deep affection
along with me favourite Abba collection
in stereo on 45s.

Still in me heart there burns a fire
of girlish glee and sweet desire’
and love of life at any stage,
increased with every turning page
of me five year diary.


(All rights reserved by Grace Galton as an unpublished poem)



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[Cybele]

Good morning Ron,
 

Dear Grace,

Comments from the other side of the pond may or may not hold special interest to you.

Nothing would please me more than to have more comments from our American family of friends. They would indeed hold VERY special interest for me, especially in a piece like this which might be slightly mystifying to anyone unfamiliar with UK accents. There is so much we can learn from each other.
I think the reason I receive a preponderence of crits from the UK is simply to do with time zones ~ they get to read English postings first.

I have been wondering if others find that off-putting, believing that we are a close-knit group ~ especially after the Pub Meeting.  But you must bear in mind Ron, Britain is a VERY SMALL island, which makes meeting up much easier. We all want to be a part of MM's international poets.

First, I read poetry aloud and with some emphasis on beat. This is bad practice when reading serious pure poetry but I believe adds when the verse is light and frolicksome.

Also, I, who am severely committed to poetic flow, have an alternate interest to many here.

Each to his own Ron. I started writing only strict verse, on serious subjects, but have gradually embraced different forms of poetry. But, I have found that I have little control over what I produce. When I start to think about a subject, I have no idea whether it will emerge as serious imagery, comic verse or free form. I just start typing and out it tumbles, usually surprising ME!

I am sure we all wish to interact more with ALL members of MM. I am glad you brought up that point so that I could explain.


I put Ageing "Grace"fully as light and frolicksome. Reading even the first time, it seemed to me you've combined a persistant beat with some breaks that don't at all detract from the thrust of the message.


You are right Ron, this is called nonsense rhyme and it written "tongue-in-cheek". I didn't work on this for longer than 15 minutes, it just all tumbled out onto the page. Nothing serious, just light entertainment.  

To a stateside Yankee, Brooklynese, southern drawl and what I guess is cockney, all sound quaint and add immeasurably to a humorous piece. Beside, the captivating message combined with the vernacular expression each add to the other (at least by my ear) and so nits must be gnats to even register.

Yes, Ron, this is written in a cockney accent. Quite authentic since I was born within the sound of Bow Bells. (The church of St Mary-le-Bow in the East End of London,) which marks the area in which true Cockneys reside.

Yesterday I read Marriott's "The Lion and Albert" and "Albert's Return" at a convelescent home. THey were the hit of the reading! Could I read yours next month?

I love Marriott's pieces. They used to be read on the Music Hall stage by a man named Stanley Holloway, and were always a riotous hit in the early part of the 20th Century.

Could you read mine? I would be honoured to think that you would like to Ron.    

I see suggestions are already arriving and sense you'll have a hit on your hands soon. I may send you some final thoughts then, but for now, I'll call it "brill", a word I learned here.
Nicely done and cheers,     jgd     Ron


I will be delighted to receive any suggestions you might have Ron. And thank you for a most interesting posting here