Good day all,

I've been wrestling with this news for over a year (even ignoring Peter's messages to take action) and after talking to him recently, he can no longer support the forum board software (and I've been soooo out of touch with updating it via html, or even participating).

As time goes on, we/us poets find new ways to communicate with each other. In the almost 23 years since I started the forum, forum board websites have faded and have been taken over by social media sites, where most aren't even seeking the in-depth critiques we prided ourselves on providing at MM. I don't know if it matters that the server is 21 years old, it can't run the required OS with ongoing security patches, and the Invision Board software has gone in a direction we don't even understand any more (Peter had looked it up last year wondering if he did get a newer server can this even be ported over to a newer forum version)? The person who wrote the skins is long gone and the new ones are ugly and expensive.

I suggest members retrieve and copy individual posts for your records. Then Peter will do a database and full site dump once we shut the service down and get it to me, but anyone who wants their works and doesn't already have a local copy needs to fetch it. Once the site is down, it'll be difficult to extract anything from that archive without fully rebuilding the site.

So sorry about this, however, the forum has had minimal posts for over a decade, and it's time to close this chapter out.

Hiya Sam!

Thanks so much for your bday wishes and pleas do, come back and post. I am planning to do that as well!!!

Blessings to you.

-Cleo

Larry,

I find this a very rhythmic poem. It's a challenge enough to begin the next line alphabetically sequencially, but to keep them to quartets, FAB!!

I really enjoyed this!
Cheers,
~Cleo

Dear Friends,

This week's TIMES TEN words for 19 December 2017 are posted below. Please note: You may respond in poetry or prose. You may post more than one response. In no particular order, here are this week's words:

bow
wrap
ornament
emerald
tap
scent
simmer
cinnamon
berry
sing (sung or sang)

Please post your reply here (or for forum members) as a NEW TOPIC.

The rules:
You must utilize ALL TEN WORDS in your response, either a prose or poetic one. Please note your words at the END of your submission.

The variants:
You can also make a 'variant' of any words in the list such as: burn/ burns/burning/burnt etc. to assist you in capturing the muse.

Good luck! :)

Hi Liz, Larry et al,

I wish you all a very happy holiday season ahead and warm wishes always.

It's been a struggle for me this year. I do read posts and really must reply! Time to get more active.

Hugs always.
Lori

Dear Friends,

This week's words come from Lori.

You may respond in poetry or prose.
You may post more than one response.
There is no set time limit for your response(s)

In no particular order, here are this week's words: (I've stacked them so you can copy / paste, then cross-off as you use, if you wish).

festive
wool
wisp
right
brother
write (or wrote)
dream
sparkle
sapphire
thank

Please use the date of the challenge and your member name in your topic descriptions and post your reply as a NEW TOPIC.

The rules:
You must utilize ALL TEN WORDS in your response, either a prose or poetic one. Please note your words at the END of your tile.

The variants:
You can also make a 'variant' of any words in the list such as: paint can be used as paints, painting, painted etc. to assist you in capturing the muse.

As with all our challenges, feel free to post these for critique too if you desire over in Herme's, Seren's or Stonehenge.

Now, if you'd like to set next week's words please drop me a PM - we need more Setters! Thanks in anticipation.

Enjoy!
Mosaic Musings Staff

Very poignant, Larry.

Thank you for posting!

Hugs,
Cleo

Dear Friends,

This week's words come from Lori and her thoughts on friendship.

You may respond in poetry or prose.
You may post more than one response.
There is no set time limit for your response(s)

In no particular order, here are this week's words: (I've stacked them so you can copy / paste, then cross-off as you use, if you wish).

friend
whisper
fall
moment
laughter
discover
dream
soul
wrap
ache

Please use the date of the challenge and your member name in your topic descriptions and post your reply as a NEW TOPIC.

The rules:
You must utilize ALL TEN WORDS in your response, either a prose or poetic one. Please note your words at the END of your tile.

The variants:
You can also make a 'variant' of any words in the list such as: paint can be used as paints, painting, painted etc. to assist you in capturing the muse.

As with all our challenges, feel free to post these for critique too if you desire over in Herme's, Seren's or Stonehenge.

Now, if you'd like to set next week's words please drop me a PM - we need more Setters! Thanks in anticipation.

Enjoy!
Mosaic Musings Staff

Haha!! Thanks Larry! I fixed it.

Why hello Syl!

I am still very sorry to hear all you've been through!! I think our trauma happened around the same time? My accident occurred on Feb. 7th. I'm very glad to hear you are up and moving around as we chatted a little bit on FB about. And I'm moving maybe a little complicated however you got to do what's best for you in the long run. Glad to hear you've made some new friends!

I check in and read often but using my phone has been difficult as a means to reply. I do intend to get in here using my laptop, now that I'm sort of finally back to normal. Started PT this week to get my foot flexible enough to walk soon. Six months of immobility makes it complicated. Can't post from work, so I'll need to plan time at home.

Hugs and best wishes always!
~Cleo

Very, very lovely Larry!

Reading this "pretty" poem has me yearning for Spring even more! I gave two Azalea plants, next to my garage. They've been there at least a decade and bloom for a few months -- a pretty deep pinkish tone.

Enjoyed the read, rhythms, colors!
-Cleo

I can do relate!!! Mine was even longer.

Hi John,

It's so nice to read your poetry again! I always see a scene so vividly in my mind.

Enjoyed this,
~Cleo

Ha!!! Well done Larry!

Well done Denis!

Enjoyed the read.
Cleo

Oh Daniel!

What a great response to the words, and a double for Maureen's inspirational poem.

Enjoyed,
Cleo

I absolutely love this response, Maureen. I felt a personal connection and that heightened my senses. I love the rhythmic quality of heptameter, even when split.

Take off the mask!
Cheers,
~Cleo

Squeeeeeeee!

Dear Friends,

This week's TIMES TEN word list is posted below.

Please note:

You may respond in poetry or prose.
You may post more than one response.
There is no set time limit for your response(s) as they can be posted in the Times Ten Archive forum.

In no particular order, here are this week's words: (I've stacked them so you can copy / paste, then cross-off as you use, if you wish).

star
love
steel (or steal)
tax
recollect
burgundy
snip
twenty
mask
sparkle

Please use the date of the challenge and your member name in your topic descriptions and post your reply as a NEW TOPIC.

The rules:
You must utilize ALL TEN WORDS in your response, either a prose or poetic one. Please note your words at the END of your response.

The variants:
You can also make a 'variant' of any words in the list such as: burn can be used as burns, burning, burnt etc. to assist you in capturing the muse.

*Feel free to take ten additional words from the poem identified above and create your own 'Times Ten'.

As with all our challenges, feel free to post these for critique too if you desire over in Herme's Homilies, Seren's Synapse or Stonehenge, or for poetry exhibition in Plato's Pearls.

Now, if you'd like to set next week's words please drop me a PM - we need more Setters! Thanks in anticipation.

Cheers,
~Cleo

Hahahaha!

Brings back memories! Did I just admit that?

Enjoyed the read Denis!
~Cleo

She ushers in contemplative ideas deftly embraced.

FRACTAL

Oh boy! I LOVE this - the image is wonderful (it was my high school mascot)!

I wouldn't change a thing! Perhaps I should try this challenge? I'm so rusty, and dealing with my newly broken leg is taking up most of my thought process at present.

But I did want to comment that I was here - and enjoyed and again - no nits!

~Cleo

OOOh Larry!

I love this! I get very sad when I think of how our young men and women enlist (my man did so many years ago) right out of high school - and then I feel their deeds to protect us (and others in the call of duty) are not acknowledged as they should be! They risk their lives and how do we repay them? Well, I do not want to get into my own thoughts, but let's just say this poem is spot on to reflect my own feelings.

My only nit is in the opening line - the meter (at least how I pronounce) "A man, empty inside" doesn't seem to flow quite as smoothly as the rest.

Enjoyed the read very much!
~Cleo

EDIFY

Even dodo's investigate fake Yorkers

CHART