A Philatelic Pandect

A is for an album to hold my stamp hoard,
B is for back of book where my “specials” are stored.

C is for the cancellation that causes such strife,
D is for definitives with their unlimited life.

E is for excitement, the thrill of the find,
F is for fiscal and its financial bind.

G is for the gum that sticks them in the post,
H is for the hinges displaying those I love most.

I is for imperforates, those joined with no holes,
J is for a Johfra box to soak off without bowls.

K is for a killer mark that destroys a stamp’s worth
L is for local stamps with a limited dearth.

M is for the magnifying glass used for searching out flaws
N is for the newspaper stamps that brought headlines to our doors.

O is for “officials” with a government cachet
P is for postage due when the sender fails to pay. 

Q is for the Queen’s head on all British stamps
R is for retouches and forgers re vamps.

S is for a stockbook for stamps that are spare
T is for tweezers to handle them with care.

U is for unused, a stamp postally mint,
V is for variety, it has a fault in its print.

W is for watermark to prove authenticity
X is for xanthic spots, rust, that strikes without pity.

Y is for youngsters and encouraging their dream
Z is for Zemstvo a rare Russian theme.

To see a stamp thrown in the bin, now that is such a crime,
I’ll revere it in my collection making it sublime.

Written 1st March 2013 by Rachel Fawcett. I am a Trained Nurse by day and spend my time off collecting stamps and trying to write poetry.  I haven’t been publicly writing very long and this is only the second poetry competition I've ever entered.  I love writing as it stretches my imagination and I enjoy the challenge it brings.  I love collecting stamps as they bring order to my mind.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Fleming Avatar
July 30, 2017 at 6:34 AM
Cleverly constructed poem, Rachel - I can readily identify with your passion! I myself collect English coins...specialising in Georgian through to Victorian. There is something very intriguing about holding something in the palm of your hand that dates back to days long since past; what it might have represented: their dreams, hopes and aspirations...or indeed just the basic necessity of being able to feed themselves perhaps! All the best, Rachel, and - Cheers! :) john
Mcconnell Avatar
July 29, 2017 at 10:57 AM
Wonderful piece Rachel, really deserve the front page spotlight. Stunning rhyme and flow. Great stuff!, Gordon
Kimathi Avatar
July 24, 2017 at 4:16 AM
Well-crafted piece! Congrats Rachel, for having your work featured in the Poetrysoup homepage! ;-)
Joshua Avatar
July 23, 2017 at 2:58 PM
Sensibly packed, Bewitched with pleasant facts. Lovely!
Kovacs Avatar
April 20, 2013 at 7:13 AM
I haven't written one of these in years. Congrats on an awesome win.
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 19, 2013 at 1:00 AM
You had some really stiff competition in this contest, so this is a real honor for your poem to get first place in this contest. It is a worthy poem and my hats off to you! Congratulations!
A   Avatar
April 18, 2013 at 7:19 PM
Rachel, Congratulations with your awesome poem in one of the best contest I've seen this year. It has been an honor in viewing all of Cyndi's ABC Couplet winners. I would have never pulled off this form or idea.... * xox-PD
Kendrick Avatar
April 18, 2013 at 4:05 PM
Congrats on your win with this unique ABC poem..Sara
Harper Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Rachel, wonderful poem on stamp collecting alphabet soup, congratulations on your win!
Johnson Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 4:18 PM
Congrats on your big win Rachel. Well deserved. You taught us all quite a bit. Thanks. :)
Arowolo Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Awesome and wonderful piece,Rachel..Great write....Congrats on your super win...Kudos to you,pal....
Burch Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Well Done Rachel!! Big Congrats on your awesome win!! Deb
Fawcett Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Thank you, I'm really thrilled.
Bauer Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 9:13 AM
congratulations on this excellent poem! i learned a lot from it and like the rhymes you've used...
Fawcett Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Thank you I'm so glad you liked it, I feel really excited to have won.
Nair Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 3:10 AM
Congrats on this top win!! Jag
Fawcett Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Thank you
Macmillan Avatar
April 16, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Congratulations on winning first place in my contest. Please see my winners blog for highlights on the winning poems. Also, please soup mail me your address so that I can send you the prize, M is for Maple, a Canadian Alphabet. I so enjoyed your take on the contest and the manner in which you tackled this challenge. So well done. Warmest regards, Cyndi -- PS, I see you are newer to soup. Welcome!
Macmillan Avatar
May 23, 2013 at 5:20 AM
Oh, wait! You got the book??? Please click on my name, choose a poem, leave a comment there... They said 5-6 weeks! Great, if you have received it!!!
Fawcett Avatar
May 3, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for sending my book. I'm enjoying learning all about Canada. I'll always treasure it. Rachel x
Fawcett Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Hi, Wow! that's awesome thank you so much for judging me the winner, you've made my day. My address is: 19 Jubilee Close Kirton, Boston, Lincolnshire' PE20 1XB. UK.
Mannan Avatar
April 16, 2013 at 10:40 PM
This is super cool. Many congrats for this win.
Fawcett Avatar
April 17, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Thank you, I'm thrilled to be the winner.
Heemstra Avatar
March 1, 2013 at 5:01 PM
I love it, and the alphabetic style was a great touch. Best of luck to you!
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