[Quincy Lehr]

I was kind of hoping for a dig at my hair, but hey, you can't have everything. (And if needs be said, I'm cool with this and rather enjoyed it and had forgotten that line--it's going on Twitter!)

[Mary Meriam]

A rapier wit, indeed. I'd suggest Whitworth, but it would need initial caps. Whoever wrote it knows her way around the sonnet. A hit, a very palpable hit. Very much enjoyed.

[Brian Allgar]

Originally Posted by Mary Meriam

I'd suggest Whitworth, but it would need initial caps. Whoever wrote it knows her way around the sonnet.

That, too, would exclude John.

[ross hamilton hill]

I like it, The tongue and eyes were removed to force a repudiation, usually in the case of treason, before the head was removed. Anyone seen Wolf Hall, the beheading of Anne Boleyn French style is intense.

[Martin Rocek]

I respectfully disagree with some previous comments--this is not really a poem on poetry, but uses the convention to be a poem about social interactions, human needs and emotions. I like it. It is clever and very well executed. I do think the subtitle "(an apology for discreet critique)" limits the scope of the poem and should be dropped.

Thanks for the read.

Martin

[Brian Watson]

It being so intelligent, temperate, good humoured, and well wrought, one immediately suspects Ann Drysdale.

[Eileen Cleary]

I thought it was Ann's too.

[John Whitworth]

Ain't me for the reasons stated. 'Woefully archaic'? Yup. Has to be Ann. My favourite so far.

What is it about you and heads on spikes, Ann?

[Susan McLean]

I love the voice here, and I think the epigraph about critique is needed to put the argument in a context.

Susan

[Toni Seger]

I found this very tight and dramatic to read. It took hold, kept my attention and pulled me through it. Very enjoyable with rhymes in the right places. I liked it.