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Taming Tigers

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Someday I'll get this sonnet writing right. Sure, I can count ten syllables and rhyme, then set my flock of metaphors to flight and spin ten-dollar words from time to time. My tiger-words I train with chair in hand and meter's whip. Good syntax I require, true spelling, decent rhythm - I demand they jump iambically through hoops of fire. I seek out synonyms with sound appeal plus apt alliteration and aplomb, but end up sacrificing soul and feel - it rhymes; poetically though, it's a bomb. To touch the heart is something you can't teach; a tiger in a cage - just out of reach. written 5 Aug 2020

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Susan Ashley

Date: 7/27/2022 9:39:00 AM

Oh dear PoBro, I am ever enchanted with your magical poetic gift! So many delish word combos and phrases throughout like; "writing right" and "flock of metaphors to flight" and "meter's whip" and "jump iambically through hoops of fire".. I mean, WOW! Your exquisite imagery is so rich and textured and ardent! Your couplet captures the elusive essence of heart and soul so beautifully.. though you definitely touch this reader's heart and soul with the fiery passion of the flame-striped tiger! Warmest wishes and hugs.. your PS-PS

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/21/2022 12:22:00 AM

Wow John, this poem should be shared in classes to teach because it is so true. A truly amazing sonnet. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Blessings xxoo

John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:50:00 AM

Connie, what an endearing comment to make! I know how much you are a fan of sonnets, and you know how much I cherish your sonnets. Thanks for the kind words and congrats. Blessings, my friend!

Mark Toney

Date: 7/20/2022 9:49:00 PM

John, this is fantastic! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, tonight, here in our own Big Top, right before your very eyes, John Watt will be "Taming Tigers" with his "Tiger-words ...chair and meter's whip." John, this is creative writing at its best, total fun, and a fave for me. Congratulations on your win on mile 8 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 9 has already started!

John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:49:00 AM

Mark, thank you for esteeming this sonnet so highly and placing it on your winners list, and for leaving such a fun comment! Looking forward to more miles (huff, puff)...

Valsa George

Date: 7/20/2022 9:28:00 PM

Wow... how beautifully you have compared writing of sonnets to training tigers. It requires, patience, grit and rigorous practice ! I particularly like the lines----"My tiger-words I train with chair in hand and meter's whip. Good syntax I require, true spelling, decent rhythm - I demand they jump iambically through hoops of fire.".... Congratulations on your steady win in the Marathon, dear John ! The beauty of this contest is that one can read some of the best poems here.

John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:47:00 AM

Valsa, thank you for enjoying this so much and taking the time to read and comment on my poems. I totally agree with your last sentence, and am really enjoying reading what these wonderful poets are submitting to the contests.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/20/2022 8:27:00 PM

ohhh, so glad to see this quirky one with a win. I really love it, John. Wonderful win. Congratulations.

John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:46:00 AM

Thank you, my contest counselor and meter mentor. Congrats to you as well!

Christuraj Alex

Date: 7/20/2022 8:26:00 PM

"tiger-words", "jump iambically through hoops of fire" - Beautiful. Congratulations!

John Watt
Date: 7/21/2022 10:45:00 AM

Christuraj, thank you very much for thinking this is beautiful. What a wonderful thing to say. Take care, and have an enjoyable day ~ John

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 7/20/2022 4:51:00 PM

I do love how you framed your wish to write, John: Congratulations on a well deserved win. Best, SuZ

John Watt
Date: 7/20/2022 5:22:00 PM

SuZ, thank you for stopping by for a read and for leaving your sweet comment. Enjoy your day ~ John

Gary Radice

Date: 8/9/2020 3:22:00 AM

John, I loved this. Your poem, to me, contradicts what you write about (If that makes sense) If it doesn't, well, it's actually me paying you a compliment as to your writing style. Personally, the idea of rules in poetry make me shudder. When I try to keep to them, I find myself writing for someone else. Right, I'm off to hide somewhere.

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 6:46:00 AM

Gary, thanks for kind words. I love both free verse and structured verse. There is a deep satisfaction to a poet when they find the inner voice that truly communicates their story. I appreciate the compliment and the time you took to read and write back. Hope you have a great day.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/7/2020 4:08:00 PM

Welcome again , being with me in the HM club. Oh the joy! heehee. This was one of your best, John.

John Watt
Date: 8/7/2020 4:27:00 PM

Thank you, Andrea. That means more to me than where I placed in a contest ~ John

Hannington Mumo

Date: 8/7/2020 3:10:00 PM

Yours is a tolerably fruitful poetic effort, John. It's very tricky striking a fair balance between thematic substance and linguistic embellishments such as rhyme and all. Still, the elusive tiger can be tamed - albeit with a wee extra dose of practice and exactingly wide reading...or so I reasonably think:-)

John Watt
Date: 8/7/2020 3:19:00 PM

Thank you for your very thoughtful and encouraging words, Hannington. It's nice to meet you here at Poetry Soup. I appreciate your kind words ~ John

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/6/2020 8:07:00 AM

This is so true and I couldn't agree more. It's the "heart" of the poem and poet that truly enchants and charms the life of us all. I love this write. God bless you my friend, with many beautiful poems

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:14:00 PM

You got my point exactly, Gina. Thank you for taking time to bless my day with your uplifting words of support. God bless you ~ John

Panagiota Romios

Date: 8/6/2020 7:28:00 AM

Golly, what a talent you are. Best wishes in Brian's contest! Panagiota xx

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:13:00 PM

Thank you Pangie for the lovely words and wishes today. Hugs ~ John

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 8/6/2020 4:34:00 AM

Beautiful! The Tiger is not out of your reach! You have tamed them well and they do as you tell! You always produce top quality stuff! BW Krish

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:12:00 PM

Thank you for all your kind words, Krish. They are greatly appreciated ~ John

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/5/2020 10:29:00 PM

Truly I see incredible growth in your writing and use of meter and metaphor. I admire so much the way you write, John!

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:11:00 PM

You have really lifted my spirits with your two amazing comments. Thank you!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/5/2020 10:27:00 PM

I really really get this, John. I see in your sonnet writing so much of myself!! With practice,I have gotten to where I write them easily, and I have so many of them now, on all kinds of topics. The meter is there, the rhyme, etc. yet to make one that really sparkles!! Alive with emotion. When you combine with THAT, you have a sonnet that is amazing. This is amazing in an intellectual way!! I hope Brian likes it better than he did MY sonnet on sonnet writing . haha!!!

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:10:00 PM

You have committed yourself to this craft for 20 years, my friend, and I am in awe of the sonnets you create. I found the technical side was the part I could grasp much earlier than the heart and soul. Thanks for getting this, and for leaving me with your wonderful comments.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/5/2020 9:50:00 PM

This is so terrific - I found myself singing it, so your iambic pentameter is impeccably done. I cannot do it myself, but I recognize it in this poem John. Wow! Great job!

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:08:00 PM

I'd love to hear the tune you chose to sing, 'Eye of the Tiger' perhaps? Thanks Caren for your effusive affirmation!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 8/5/2020 8:20:00 PM

Oh, Oh, Oh! A gem, John. Love the way you self-deprecated right into a superb sonnet, and a FAVE for me! Thanks, gw

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:07:00 PM

Wow, very grateful for the fave and the three Ohs! Blessings to you my friend ~ John

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/5/2020 2:59:00 PM

Nice penning John, I'm no expert on this style of poetry but this sounds good to me. Hope things ok in California at this time for you and the family, Blessings always,Gordon

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:06:00 PM

Always grateful for your encouragement, my friend. All is well here.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/5/2020 12:00:00 PM

What a charming fun sonnet i have a mental block writing this form, an absolute gem John:-) hugs Jan xx

John Watt
Date: 8/6/2020 12:05:00 PM

Thank you, my friend! Don't know why this form has so captivated my heart and pen.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 8/5/2020 9:55:00 AM

ah, this poem is music to a poet's ear, john! so very clever and delightful! bravo to you...

Jan Allison
Date: 8/5/2020 12:07:00 PM

here here John, I too adore Ilene's work she is a first class poet:-) hugs Jan xx

John Watt
Date: 8/5/2020 10:59:00 AM

Love your comment, poetess, for you are a metric sister to me. I value the time you put into the flow and meaning of your poetry and you inspire me to do the same. Thank you!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 8/5/2020 9:35:00 AM

I'll be the first to say that you have that tiger well and truly tamed John. Very well written Good luck Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 8/5/2020 9:55:00 AM

Lol, so far so good John.

John Watt
Date: 8/5/2020 9:44:00 AM

Sorry, this author is not accepting comments at this time. Ha, just had to throw that in, Tom. Hope your gremlins have been vanquished, as I love receiving comments from you. This one made my day. Have a great day, my friend ~ John