Comments received on poems by Neville
Upon Recalling Youth and Poetry
L. B. Mek said:
One of your very, VERY, very
best!!!!!! dear Poet supreme
No superlatives can do my
sensations/feelings, justice
All I can do is let you verify, how
favourably your poem
compares/competes
with one of my all-Time favourite poems
-ever!
What a treasure in a read
you\'ve captured
that Autumnal of youth, reverie\'s
sweet accented melancholy
pitch-perfectly.
such a triumph of your subtle, pen
I congratulate you on reaching such a poetic peak, Hyung!
I read and try, to learn
(one of my favourite poems
is a brilliant Ezra Pound translation
of LI Bai\'s poetic Genius
a poem originally titled \'Exile\'s letter\'
read below, although i\'m sure you know it already:
\'\'So-Kin of Rakuho, ancient friend, I now remember
That you built me a special tavern,
By the south side of the bridge at Ten-Shin.
With yellow gold and white jewels
we paid for the songs and laughter,
And we were drunk for month after month,
forgetting the kings and princes.
Intelligent men came drifting in, from the sea
and from the west border,
And with them, and with you especially,
there was nothing at cross-purpose;
And they made nothing of sea-crossing
or of mountain-crossing,
If only they could be of that fellowship.
And we all spoke out our hearts and minds …
and without regret.
And then I was sent off to South Wei,
smothered in laurel groves,
And you to the north of Raku-hoku,
Till we had nothing but thoughts and memories between us.
And when separation had come to its worst
We met, and travelled together into Sen-Go
Through all the thirty-six folds of the turning and twisting waters;
Into a valley of a thousand bright flowers …
that was the first valley,
And on into ten thousand valleys
full of voices and pine-winds.
With silver harness and reins of gold,
prostrating themselves on the ground,
Out came the East-of-Kan foreman and his company;
And there came also the “True-man” of Shi-yo to meet me,
Playing on a jewelled mouth-organ.
In the storied houses of San-Ko they gave us
more Sennin music;
Many instruments, like the sound of young phœnix broods.
And the foreman of Kan-Chu, drunk,
Danced because his long sleeves
Wouldn’t keep still, with that music playing.
And I, wrapped in brocade, went to sleep with my head on his lap,
And my spirit so high that it was all over the heavens.
And before the end of the day we were scattered like stars or rain.
I had to be off to So, far away over the waters,
You back to your river-bridge.
And your father, who was brave as a leopard,
Was governor in Hei Shu and put down the barbarian rabble.
And one May he had you send for me, despite the long distance;
And what with broken wheels and so on, I won’t say it wasn’t hard going …
Over roads twisted like sheep’s guts.
And I was still going, late in the year,
in the cutting wind from the north,
And thinking how little you cared for the cost …
and you caring enough to pay it.
Then what a reception!
Red jade cups, food well set, on a blue jewelled table;
And I was drunk, and had no thought of returning;
And you would walk out with me to the western corner of the castle,
To the dynastic temple, with the water about it clear as blue jade,
With boats floating, and the sound of mouth-organs and drums,
With ripples like dragon-scales going grass-green on the water,
Pleasure lasting, with courtezans going and coming without hindrance,
With the willow-flakes falling like snow,
And the vermilioned girls getting drunk about sunset,
And the waters a hundred feet deep reflecting green eyebrows—
Eyebrows painted green are a fine sight in young moonlight,
Gracefully painted—and the girls singing back at each other,
Dancing in transparent brocade,
And the wind lifting the song, and interrupting it,
Tossing it up under the clouds.
And all this comes to an end,
And is not again to be met with.
I went up to the court for examination,
Tried Layu’s luck, offered the Choyu song,
And got no promotion,
And went back to the East Mountains white-headed.
And once again we met, later, at the South Bridge head.
And then the crowd broke up—you went north to San palace.
And if you ask how I regret that parting?
It is like the flowers falling at spring’s end,
confused, whirled in a tangle.
What is the use of talking! And there is no end of talking—
There is no end of things in the heart.
I call in the boy,
Have him sit on his knees to write and seal this,
And I send it a thousand miles, thinking.\'\')
May 8th, 2023 04:21
L. B. Mek said:
One of your very, VERY, very
best!!!!!! dear Poet supreme
No superlatives can do my
sensations/feelings, justice
All I can do is let you verify, how
favourably your poem
compares/competes
with one of my all-Time favourite poems
-ever!
What a treasure in a read
you\'ve captured
that Autumnal of youth, reverie\'s
sweet accented melancholy
pitch-perfectly.
such a triumph of your subtle, pen
I congratulate you on reaching such a poetic peak, Hyung!
I read and try, to learn
(one of my favourite poems
is a brilliant Ezra Pound translation
of LI Bai\'s poetic Genius
a poem originally titled \'Exile\'s letter\'
read below, although i\'m sure you know it already:
\'\'So-Kin of Rakuho, ancient friend, I now remember
That you built me a special tavern,
By the south side of the bridge at Ten-Shin.
With yellow gold and white jewels
we paid for the songs and laughter,
And we were drunk for month after month,
forgetting the kings and princes.
Intelligent men came drifting in, from the sea
and from the west border,
And with them, and with you especially,
there was nothing at cross-purpose;
And they made nothing of sea-crossing
or of mountain-crossing,
If only they could be of that fellowship.
And we all spoke out our hearts and minds …
and without regret.
And then I was sent off to South Wei,
smothered in laurel groves,
And you to the north of Raku-hoku,
Till we had nothing but thoughts and memories between us.
And when separation had come to its worst
We met, and travelled together into Sen-Go
Through all the thirty-six folds of the turning and twisting waters;
Into a valley of a thousand bright flowers …
that was the first valley,
And on into ten thousand valleys
full of voices and pine-winds.
With silver harness and reins of gold,
prostrating themselves on the ground,
Out came the East-of-Kan foreman and his company;
And there came also the “True-man” of Shi-yo to meet me,
Playing on a jewelled mouth-organ.
In the storied houses of San-Ko they gave us
more Sennin music;
Many instruments, like the sound of young phœnix broods.
And the foreman of Kan-Chu, drunk,
Danced because his long sleeves
Wouldn’t keep still, with that music playing.
And I, wrapped in brocade, went to sleep with my head on his lap,
And my spirit so high that it was all over the heavens.
And before the end of the day we were scattered like stars or rain.
I had to be off to So, far away over the waters,
You back to your river-bridge.
And your father, who was brave as a leopard,
Was governor in Hei Shu and put down the barbarian rabble.
And one May he had you send for me, despite the long distance;
And what with broken wheels and so on, I won’t say it wasn’t hard going …
Over roads twisted like sheep’s guts.
And I was still going, late in the year,
in the cutting wind from the north,
And thinking how little you cared for the cost …
and you caring enough to pay it.
Then what a reception!
Red jade cups, food well set, on a blue jewelled table;
And I was drunk, and had no thought of returning;
And you would walk out with me to the western corner of the castle,
To the dynastic temple, with the water about it clear as blue jade,
With boats floating, and the sound of mouth-organs and drums,
With ripples like dragon-scales going grass-green on the water,
Pleasure lasting, with courtezans going and coming without hindrance,
With the willow-flakes falling like snow,
And the vermilioned girls getting drunk about sunset,
And the waters a hundred feet deep reflecting green eyebrows—
Eyebrows painted green are a fine sight in young moonlight,
Gracefully painted—and the girls singing back at each other,
Dancing in transparent brocade,
And the wind lifting the song, and interrupting it,
Tossing it up under the clouds.
And all this comes to an end,
And is not again to be met with.
I went up to the court for examination,
Tried Layu’s luck, offered the Choyu song,
And got no promotion,
And went back to the East Mountains white-headed.
And once again we met, later, at the South Bridge head.
And then the crowd broke up—you went north to San palace.
And if you ask how I regret that parting?
It is like the flowers falling at spring’s end,
confused, whirled in a tangle.
What is the use of talking! And there is no end of talking—
There is no end of things in the heart.
I call in the boy,
Have him sit on his knees to write and seal this,
And I send it a thousand miles, thinking.\'\')
May 8th, 2023 04:21
Did You Ever Dare to Ask
orchidee said:
It was me playing the guitar - until I swooned at what I saw! heehee. Did you hear the crash as I fell off me chair?!
May 8th, 2023 02:04
orchidee said:
It was me playing the guitar - until I swooned at what I saw! heehee. Did you hear the crash as I fell off me chair?!
May 8th, 2023 02:04
Just a Man With a Thing About Bees
arqios said:
Would be other than another day at the quill while the swill twirls against zomboid thrill.
May 7th, 2023 16:24
arqios said:
Would be other than another day at the quill while the swill twirls against zomboid thrill.
May 7th, 2023 16:24
Just a Man With a Thing About Bees
Bella Shepard said:
I agree with learned poets, supercilious is very impressive. Now if you\'d spelled it differently as \"supersillyous\" I could see it taking on a different, somewhat Monty Pythonesque tone, lol. Either way, a great write my friend.
May 7th, 2023 14:00
Bella Shepard said:
I agree with learned poets, supercilious is very impressive. Now if you\'d spelled it differently as \"supersillyous\" I could see it taking on a different, somewhat Monty Pythonesque tone, lol. Either way, a great write my friend.
May 7th, 2023 14:00
Just a Man With a Thing About Bees
Christina8 said:
I agree with Bobby O on this one, the fact that you added \"Supercilious\" to this makes it so perfect. Great story telling, I loved it! x
May 7th, 2023 07:37
Christina8 said:
I agree with Bobby O on this one, the fact that you added \"Supercilious\" to this makes it so perfect. Great story telling, I loved it! x
May 7th, 2023 07:37
Just a Man With a Thing About Bees
orchidee said:
Send them bees to me - killer bees? Like some horror flick. I will set them on KP. I\'m horrible to her! lol.
But the bees will be allergic to her botox. heehee.
May 7th, 2023 02:06
orchidee said:
Send them bees to me - killer bees? Like some horror flick. I will set them on KP. I\'m horrible to her! lol.
But the bees will be allergic to her botox. heehee.
May 7th, 2023 02:06
Just a Man With a Thing About Bees
Bobby O said:
Playful and a tad irreverent , perhaps to set you off guard ? And my recent profound revelation is certainly more fact than theory — any poem that correctly inserts that most quixotic word -SUPERCILIOUS is truly close to perfect.
May 7th, 2023 00:54
Bobby O said:
Playful and a tad irreverent , perhaps to set you off guard ? And my recent profound revelation is certainly more fact than theory — any poem that correctly inserts that most quixotic word -SUPERCILIOUS is truly close to perfect.
May 7th, 2023 00:54
Upon Recalling Youth and Poetry
arqios said:
Yes, poetry that was the voice of a generation and for the most part embraced as such.
May 6th, 2023 17:10
arqios said:
Yes, poetry that was the voice of a generation and for the most part embraced as such.
May 6th, 2023 17:10
Upon Recalling Youth and Poetry
Bella Shepard said:
These days, youth seems something I dreamt of once. And poetry, the crutch that that helps me hobble along. Now the past becomes stronger, by virtue of it being sweeter in reflection. A very estimable write dear friend.
May 6th, 2023 09:27
Bella Shepard said:
These days, youth seems something I dreamt of once. And poetry, the crutch that that helps me hobble along. Now the past becomes stronger, by virtue of it being sweeter in reflection. A very estimable write dear friend.
May 6th, 2023 09:27
Upon Recalling Youth and Poetry
Bobby O said:
It so flows
Omnidirectional keeping readers transfixed w contents and weaponry words, nicotine shackled to Thesaurus , I’m happy w your choice to unsheath..,
May 6th, 2023 03:28
Bobby O said:
It so flows
Omnidirectional keeping readers transfixed w contents and weaponry words, nicotine shackled to Thesaurus , I’m happy w your choice to unsheath..,
May 6th, 2023 03:28
Upon Recalling Youth and Poetry
orchidee said:
Good write N.
Yes, KP and I went to a Greek island. I only bought her a one-way ticket! heehee.
May 6th, 2023 01:59
orchidee said:
Good write N.
Yes, KP and I went to a Greek island. I only bought her a one-way ticket! heehee.
May 6th, 2023 01:59
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
Mottakeenur Rehman said:
This poem is a poignant reflection on the endurance of love and the unpredictability of life.
May 5th, 2023 13:40
Mottakeenur Rehman said:
This poem is a poignant reflection on the endurance of love and the unpredictability of life.
May 5th, 2023 13:40
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
arqios said:
P\'raps echoes are reflections sounding off in our hearing.
May 5th, 2023 08:30
arqios said:
P\'raps echoes are reflections sounding off in our hearing.
May 5th, 2023 08:30
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
Accidental Poet said:
But what of your surprise, when out from robin\'s egg pops Orchi in swooning song. 😁
May 5th, 2023 07:19
Accidental Poet said:
But what of your surprise, when out from robin\'s egg pops Orchi in swooning song. 😁
May 5th, 2023 07:19
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
Fay Slimm. said:
Long-lasting relationships deserve a tribute and this is surely one of the best penned reminders to listen to nought but the heart - --Great stuff my friend - reminds me of that long-ago song - \"They tried to tell us we were too young\"
May 5th, 2023 04:39
Fay Slimm. said:
Long-lasting relationships deserve a tribute and this is surely one of the best penned reminders to listen to nought but the heart - --Great stuff my friend - reminds me of that long-ago song - \"They tried to tell us we were too young\"
May 5th, 2023 04:39
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
L. B. Mek said:
so glad you\'re on the right side
of that capricious echo, dear Poet
(this, that cruelty of callous fate
what\'s granted to one, is echoed
rarely
to those majority, who spend
an eternity trying to remember
\'the colour of that dress\'
\'from that one Time\'
when for a brief, teasing shadow
it felt like, this moment would
foreshadow future nights, where
we would replay this scene
again n again, till forevermore
was a fact
we had realised and cherished
as part of life...)
May 5th, 2023 03:29
L. B. Mek said:
so glad you\'re on the right side
of that capricious echo, dear Poet
(this, that cruelty of callous fate
what\'s granted to one, is echoed
rarely
to those majority, who spend
an eternity trying to remember
\'the colour of that dress\'
\'from that one Time\'
when for a brief, teasing shadow
it felt like, this moment would
foreshadow future nights, where
we would replay this scene
again n again, till forevermore
was a fact
we had realised and cherished
as part of life...)
May 5th, 2023 03:29
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
L. B. Mek said:
lol
that \'matter of fact\' veracity
as accent to a child\'s, as yet
untainted sincerity
is a life rejuvenating, delight
to witness..
(well, unless you\'re at the end
of their prickling observations)
😌
a wonderful slice of life, dear Poet
thank you for the chuckle
May 5th, 2023 03:19
L. B. Mek said:
lol
that \'matter of fact\' veracity
as accent to a child\'s, as yet
untainted sincerity
is a life rejuvenating, delight
to witness..
(well, unless you\'re at the end
of their prickling observations)
😌
a wonderful slice of life, dear Poet
thank you for the chuckle
May 5th, 2023 03:19
Are We Nearly There Yet
L. B. Mek said:
so relatable Hyung
\'thought provoking\' to say the least
a lovely read
(distance, is ever a conundrum
of our anxiety, status
yearning to know our limitations
we strive to measure
knowing, we never want to realise
those ending credits
instead, by trying to concentrate
on destination, we
approximate the time we have left
to cherish
mementos of our life\'s effervescent
sensations..)
the films were fun as well, lol
May 5th, 2023 03:15
L. B. Mek said:
so relatable Hyung
\'thought provoking\' to say the least
a lovely read
(distance, is ever a conundrum
of our anxiety, status
yearning to know our limitations
we strive to measure
knowing, we never want to realise
those ending credits
instead, by trying to concentrate
on destination, we
approximate the time we have left
to cherish
mementos of our life\'s effervescent
sensations..)
the films were fun as well, lol
May 5th, 2023 03:15
Mark Well the Purpose of Night
L. B. Mek said:
\'ten times more
invisible
to the naked eye\'
(and so, that much more
preciously, tattooed
within our heart\'s, walls...)
Brilliant!
dear Poet supreme
May 5th, 2023 03:03
L. B. Mek said:
\'ten times more
invisible
to the naked eye\'
(and so, that much more
preciously, tattooed
within our heart\'s, walls...)
Brilliant!
dear Poet supreme
May 5th, 2023 03:03
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
Bobby O said:
Though perhaps written under guise as a cautionary tale , it didn’t fool me, the splendor of this optimistic Tome shone bright and made me glad. Plus I learned about echoes and reaffirmed my long love of Robin’s Eggs.
May 5th, 2023 02:57
Bobby O said:
Though perhaps written under guise as a cautionary tale , it didn’t fool me, the splendor of this optimistic Tome shone bright and made me glad. Plus I learned about echoes and reaffirmed my long love of Robin’s Eggs.
May 5th, 2023 02:57
Echoes Seldom Lie These Days
orchidee said:
Good write N,
You know I\'m gonna say this - I never got past the first verse with KP. I fainted at the removal of her dress. lol.
May 5th, 2023 02:06
orchidee said:
Good write N,
You know I\'m gonna say this - I never got past the first verse with KP. I fainted at the removal of her dress. lol.
May 5th, 2023 02:06
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
arqios said:
When we care for others with a fullness of attention juggling melting ice cream can become unwieldy.
May 5th, 2023 01:33
arqios said:
When we care for others with a fullness of attention juggling melting ice cream can become unwieldy.
May 5th, 2023 01:33
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
Christina8 said:
What a wonderful write! I was so engaged at the beginning...who knew she would be a toddler? Full of description, loved it!
May 4th, 2023 07:10
Christina8 said:
What a wonderful write! I was so engaged at the beginning...who knew she would be a toddler? Full of description, loved it!
May 4th, 2023 07:10
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
Fay Slimm. said:
What an engaging opener that sets the mind rolling - The start of a novel without a doubt as I can see a sensitive story unfolding from that precocious encounter mon ami........x
May 4th, 2023 06:41
Fay Slimm. said:
What an engaging opener that sets the mind rolling - The start of a novel without a doubt as I can see a sensitive story unfolding from that precocious encounter mon ami........x
May 4th, 2023 06:41
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
Accidental Poet said:
I fail to see how anyone could give a false smile to such a 5 year old girl. Excellently penned N. 🙂
May 4th, 2023 03:54
Accidental Poet said:
I fail to see how anyone could give a false smile to such a 5 year old girl. Excellently penned N. 🙂
May 4th, 2023 03:54
Five Seconds Into An Encounter
orchidee said:
A fine write N.
Would she recognise KP as a member of the Old Trout Club? lol.
May 4th, 2023 01:44
orchidee said:
A fine write N.
Would she recognise KP as a member of the Old Trout Club? lol.
May 4th, 2023 01:44
Are We Nearly There Yet
Bella Shepard said:
There are those journeys that you wish would never end, and it\'s always the anticipation of the next one that sparks desire. Simply delicious dear friend!
May 3rd, 2023 13:16
Bella Shepard said:
There are those journeys that you wish would never end, and it\'s always the anticipation of the next one that sparks desire. Simply delicious dear friend!
May 3rd, 2023 13:16
Are We Nearly There Yet
Christina8 said:
Loved this write! Reminds me of long road trips and adventure. x
May 3rd, 2023 13:09
Christina8 said:
Loved this write! Reminds me of long road trips and adventure. x
May 3rd, 2023 13:09
Mark Well the Purpose of Night
Bella Shepard said:
Tis true that the brain is more busy durning the night when we sleep, than when we are awake, storing wonderful memories of our days, that we may retrieve and relive once again. This poem has such a gentle touch, I can almost hear Michael Crawford singing \"Music of Night\" in the background. Exquisite dear friend!
May 3rd, 2023 13:09
Bella Shepard said:
Tis true that the brain is more busy durning the night when we sleep, than when we are awake, storing wonderful memories of our days, that we may retrieve and relive once again. This poem has such a gentle touch, I can almost hear Michael Crawford singing \"Music of Night\" in the background. Exquisite dear friend!
May 3rd, 2023 13:09
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