[Martin Parker]

Jayne,
Am preparing your entry for the Nat. Biog. Dic. The book now has an almost mythical status in this house -- as will you if your efforts bear fruit!

A Fed Ex van has just driven past. The driver was on his mobile. I stood by the phone . . . But, no sound did it make.

Living in hope.

[Jerome Betts]

Martin, you may have to invest in a magnifying-glass as well as a phone. The CBD print is small and pale.

[Nicholas Stone]

I've just seen this, having returned from reading Homer in a disused hill-fort. I'm surprised more than anything else. Many thanks all those who offered congrats., well done to the other winners, and commiserations to other Sphereians, who, as usual, I thought did better than I did.

[Gail White]

I was tickled to get a mention, which was as much as I expected, since my entry was only 8 lines. In case anyone cares, here's the whole thing:

Beneath the spreading chestnuts
he drove her through the park.
His carraige, drawn by chestnuts,
rolled onward in the dark.

He told some lover's chestnuts
and wrapped her in a fleece.
Then he pulled out two chestnuts
that made her yell “Police!”

[Jayne Osborn]

There was no phone call from my man, Martin, so I shall email him tomorrow. Hang in there a bit longer!

Jayne

Nice one, Gail

[Martin Parker]

I am rapidly going off this whole poetry business! It is far more trouble than it is worth.

[John Whitworth]

It is almost a definition of poetry that it is more trouble than it is worth, Martin.

[Martin Parker]

. . . which makes all discussion about it even more pointless than most of it already appears to be. But, if only for the sake of those who enjoy their own pointless waffle, some of you poets should soldier on.

Me, I'm taking up macramé. At least I may end up with something thought by some to be decorative and useful. And I might even manage to produce an attractive and achingly trendy dictionary-holder before Jayne's efforts bear fruit.

But, if I find that the Oldie already runs a macramé competition, I will take up trainspotting instead.

[Brian Allgar]

Poetic waffle’s daft and barmy:
Aged poets slowly rotting.
Martin’s taking up macramé,
Failing which, he’ll try trainspotting.

[Martin Parker]

Brian,
I am sure there are many in the Critical Brotherhood who could spin a PhD out of these lines of yours.