Marion, I second our prolific moderator. Not sure if the Oldieites will like it, but it certainly cheered me up. More! More!.

Jayne - Thanks! That's nice to hear. Pity you 'aint the jur-dge! ;)

Regarding initial caps, I have mixed feelings about them. On the one hand, I think they actually serve as a counterpoint to the enjambment. On the other, your points about flow and ease of reading are valid. I'll ponder it.

Jerome - That's interesting about the pronunciation of Hereford -- which is "unknown nowadays in the county itself." Yes, there are two ways of saying it. But even if you say it with 3 syllables, it wouldn't be out of the meter, just an anapestic substitution, right?

About the capitals again ... Well, I used to capitalize every line until fairly recently. I like the way they look, but I guess it's not considered modern. Yet many poets still use that approach, even free verse people! So, as Jayne said, it's a matter of personal choice and has "been argued about till Kingdom Come."

By the way, John, I really like you poem. Yours, too, Marion. As Jayne said, too bad I ain't the jur-dge. Added in: Lance, I don't think yours is too zany. I like that aspect of it.

Marion - whoops. Not surprised if the Oldieites didn't make anything of your PC cowperson as they didn't set the competition and the Lit Rev did.

Aw Bazza--even the great minds need a break! Forget where the kids surf, sit on a beach and watch the ocean surf. Relax, chill out, and come back all the more energized for the next comp. Not that I have any ulterior motive, just have your interest at heart... hehehe;)

Re: Caps
 

Martin,
Real cowboys don't use caps.
They have Stetsons.

By gawd, you're right! Perhaps the lines should all be brimless.

John, Jerome, Martin,
Thank ya fer yer kind words, pardners.
Martin, let's just hope the judge ain't a hangin judge!
Happy trails!

I'll dust off an old one of mine that perhaps ought to have remained dusty:

THE COWBOY WHO COULD NOT SPELL

He was looking for new reins and bits
and thought he found a source
when he stumbled on "Dave's Bridal Shop."
Now he's married to his horse.

Athough it sounds unfortunate,
he takes it all in stride.
He says, "The way I look at it,
I'll always have a ride."

And when he got to know her well,
he loved her from forehead to fetlock,
and praised the day he could not spell
and took a horse in wedlock.