[Ann Drysdale]

Thank you, John.

I too enjoyed all the poems and was glad I wasn't the sole judge. I found my favourites fluctuated according to my mood, but I kept coming back to The News... and Happy Birthday.

Thanks to everyone who said nice things about my innards; though I was surprised nobody mentioned Longfellow, from whom I nicked the form. A E Housman did it better. It was, as Susan twigged, an occasional poem, written in a state of extreme terror as an attempt to make common ground with the charming stranger who was about to tell me more about my insides than I actually wanted to know. And Martin was right about the spelling error.

Mary, I was delighted to share a line with you, too. This has been fun - roll on the next one!

[Rose Kelleher]

Congrats to all the winners and finalists. And thanks for hosting, John. Enjoyed.

[Marybeth Rua-Larsen]

Yes, congratulations to the winners and finalists. It was fun learning who wrote what. Thanks, John.

[Susan McLean]

Very enjoyable bake-off. I could not guess most of the authors, despite having read some of the poems before. It was fun to see what a range light verse can have.

Susan

[Alex Pepple]

Thank you, John for hosting a most successful bake-off. Congratulations to all the finalists, and especially the winners ... and especially Julie on the democratic vote-topping streak!

Cheers,
...Alex

[Orwn Acra]

Thanks, Tim, your words mean a lot. And yes, I was very young when I started posting here, 17, I think. And how much I've learned!

[Shaun J. Russell]

Originally Posted by Orwn Acra

Thanks, Tim, your words mean a lot. And yes, I was very young when I started posting here, 17, I think. And how much I've learned!

Isn't it great when people start saying, "He's a good poet despite his age" rather than "He's a good poet for his age"?

Much deserved kudos, Orwn!

[Martin Elster]

Originally Posted by Ann Drysdale

And Martin was right about the spelling error.

I'm happy I could help. I enjoyed your poem very much, Ann. It's really entertaining and amusing. I've actually written some funny poems about colonoscopies (although I have not yet had the procedure done to me thank heavens!).

Martin

[John Whitworth]

Ann

Longfellow? I never knew that. But HE must have nicked it from Byron, surely?

[Lance Levens]

Congratulations to all! Thanks, John, for your amiable leadership.