The Poppy Bleeds
A Shakespearean Sonnet for the contest45 total reviews
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Hello Tony, Oh this is just perfect. You paint a picture with words of this character. I love 'his tasselled cap and velvet gown' as he smokes himself to oblivion on opium. Good alliteration with 'silken swish and sway, - the woman who is the cause of his misery. I'm not sure about 'shit-wrecked', but you probably meant to use that word - it suits the story. The man with the tasselled cap would have used that word LOL! The best sonnet I've read in a long while. I'm having second thoughts about entering one for this contest - you've just written the winner. Dorothy
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Hello Tony, Oh this is just perfect. You paint a picture with words of this character. I love 'his tasselled cap and velvet gown' as he smokes himself to oblivion on opium. Good alliteration with 'silken swish and sway, - the woman who is the cause of his misery. I'm not sure about 'shit-wrecked', but you probably meant to use that word - it suits the story. The man with the tasselled cap would have used that word LOL! The best sonnet I've read in a long while. I'm having second thoughts about entering one for this contest - you've just written the winner. Dorothy
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Very kind words, Dorothy, and an accurate summary of the plot. I hope you will be entering. You write beautiful sonnets.
I appreciate the sixth star and your lovely comments. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I think you mean (ship-wrecked) in your penultimate line Tony. There is such a deep emotion in your words, the poppy has been a symbol of both joy of life and sorrow in death, you captured the mood here, always well metered and rhymed and a joy to read, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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I think you mean (ship-wrecked) in your penultimate line Tony. There is such a deep emotion in your words, the poppy has been a symbol of both joy of life and sorrow in death, you captured the mood here, always well metered and rhymed and a joy to read, love Dolly x
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Dolly. Shit being a slang term for drugs, I did actually mean shit-wrecked. Probably an inappropriate pun.
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Oh, okay x
Comment from lyenochka
Your sonnet is superb, Tony. I like the call from the past, perhaps from a past love. Then the third stanza shows how feelings still exists for that person. I'm guessing you'll do really well in the contest!
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Your sonnet is superb, Tony. I like the call from the past, perhaps from a past love. Then the third stanza shows how feelings still exists for that person. I'm guessing you'll do really well in the contest!
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Helen. I hope the judges agree. LOL.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Brilliantly fresh, with impeccably elegant imagery in flawless flow and rhyme and then--what a shocker--the poem turns to ship. Fux paux? I think not: wickedly witty!
Congrats on your prize, Tony!
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Brilliantly fresh, with impeccably elegant imagery in flawless flow and rhyme and then--what a shocker--the poem turns to ship. Fux paux? I think not: wickedly witty!
Congrats on your prize, Tony!
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Liz. Most people thought it was a typo!
Comment from duchessofdrumborg
"The Poppy Bleeds", is an extremely well-written and entertaining piece.
I'm wondering whether it was a slip of the index finger, or a foxes paw. The second word on the second last line, left a huge smile on my face. Good luck with the contest!
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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"The Poppy Bleeds", is an extremely well-written and entertaining piece.
I'm wondering whether it was a slip of the index finger, or a foxes paw. The second word on the second last line, left a huge smile on my face. Good luck with the contest!
Comment Written 25-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Probably inappropriate but intended. Shit being one of the many slang terms for drugs, the poor chap was wrecked by opium as well as being driven onto the rocks by the sirens. Clearly on a losing streak!
Tony,
you don't have to be dead to be stiff.
God bless you take care and stay safe!
the Duchess
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
The Poppy Bleeds
by tfawcus
Hello, Tony,
In another place, another time, I would have loved to be the girl saving your life with a smile...what a romantic notion. Two things come to mind, one, poppies are the main ingredient of opium and heroin. I heard it makes you sleep in an euphoric state. Second thing... Poppy flowers are the nation flower of Spain so I am a fan...many good memories. Beautiful Shakespearean Sonnet for the contest. Good luck.
Hugs,
Gypsy
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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The Poppy Bleeds
by tfawcus
Hello, Tony,
In another place, another time, I would have loved to be the girl saving your life with a smile...what a romantic notion. Two things come to mind, one, poppies are the main ingredient of opium and heroin. I heard it makes you sleep in an euphoric state. Second thing... Poppy flowers are the nation flower of Spain so I am a fan...many good memories. Beautiful Shakespearean Sonnet for the contest. Good luck.
Hugs,
Gypsy
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Gypsy. I should have known that. My wife lived in Alicante for a year and I have a lovely niece in Barcelona, married to a Spanish professor.
When my life is next in danger, I?ll PM you for a smile! LOL
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LoL. How fun, your family must like Spain. I miss it sometimes.
Hugs,
Gypsy
Comment from amada
Great lines with lovely descriptions in this Shakesperean sonnet. There are magnificent descriptions, like this one:
"I wear my tasselled cap and velvet gown..." Your lines enhances this peaceful evening.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Great lines with lovely descriptions in this Shakesperean sonnet. There are magnificent descriptions, like this one:
"I wear my tasselled cap and velvet gown..." Your lines enhances this peaceful evening.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Amada. Lovely to think my lines have enhanced your evening. I appreciate your kind words. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mary Vigasin
Hi Tony
When I first saw this I said to myself oh good a poem about flowers! I love this particularly the last line.
I do not know much about sonnet writing but I
Enjoyed how clever you described the effects of poppy.
Well done
Mary
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Hi Tony
When I first saw this I said to myself oh good a poem about flowers! I love this particularly the last line.
I do not know much about sonnet writing but I
Enjoyed how clever you described the effects of poppy.
Well done
Mary
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Mary. I should have written about the poppies in our garden, every hue through purple, scarlet, pink and white, some single, some double and all a paradise of nectar for our bees.
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I don't know this poppy story was not the run of the mill story. The comment of thinking about it being about flowers was just in jest.
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I don't know this poppy story was not the run of the mill story. The comment of thinking about it being about flowers was just in jest.
Comment from AnnieDawn
Wow, you have described the effects of the poppy very nicely. I imagine that she has the same effect on others too, depending on what form they take her in. Very well done. I really like the way you have written this sonnet and wish you luck in the contest. I think you have a winner.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Wow, you have described the effects of the poppy very nicely. I imagine that she has the same effect on others too, depending on what form they take her in. Very well done. I really like the way you have written this sonnet and wish you luck in the contest. I think you have a winner.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Thanks for your kind words, Annie. Appreciated. All good wishes, Tony.
Comment from Cynthia Adams1
Gosh, I liked your poem.
Though I could have used a note below to give me a hint about the title.
I like the graduation quatrain very much. Your images paint a strong picture of you sitting there in the heat listenting to monotony.
The longing in the last quatrain and its connection to the couplet are compelling. Shit-wrecked is one of the best words I've heard in all these many years.
Really nice job.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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Gosh, I liked your poem.
Though I could have used a note below to give me a hint about the title.
I like the graduation quatrain very much. Your images paint a strong picture of you sitting there in the heat listenting to monotony.
The longing in the last quatrain and its connection to the couplet are compelling. Shit-wrecked is one of the best words I've heard in all these many years.
Really nice job.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Comment Written 24-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2020
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A very happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Cynthia.
Yes, perhaps I should have noted that the sap from the poppy seed head produces opium.
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ah. I am old enough that I should remember that. Thank you.