Gary Radice Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

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Originally published: 23rd October 2020

Image: gR

Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (24th October 2020)

This poem was placed 1st in the "COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE (31) ANY FORM ANY CHOICE" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 21st November 2020)

With my thanks and apologies to Lewis Carroll and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Each of the characters mentioned in the poem below have back stories all of their own under my 'Wonderland' umbrella of stories here at Poetry Soup

Note: Southwick is pronounced 'Suth - ick'

 

 

 

 

THE WONDERLAND SERIES

I:      Prologue
II:    The Hatter's Tale
III:   The Watchmaker's Tale
IV:   The Hairdresser's Tale
V:    The Chef's Tale
VI:   The Sailor's Tale
VII:  The Preacher's Tale
VIII: Conclusion

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Wonderland I: Prologue

The west winds of springtime
Brought forth April showers
That rained on the pavements
Of Southwick for hours.

It was standing room only
And full to the brim
As people sought shelter 
At the old Tabard Inn.
           
A man with a top hat
Sat staring in space.
There was illness and sadness 
Etched deep in his face.
   
A man with a fob watch
Was seen swapping gold
For a bottle of whisky
Before facing the cold.

A woman sighed deeply
Then laughed with a guest
While sipping tap water
And winning at chess. 

There was no chef so no food
Since that dark violent day 
When the innkeeper watched him
Being stretchered away.

So the sailor (being followed)
Missed having his tea,
And drank five pints of real ale
Before leaving for sea.

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John Watt July 18, 2022 at 10:41 PM I wish I knew Canterbury Tales better in order to pick up on the references, but I am currently re-reading Through the Looking Glass, so that may prove handy as I progress. Looking forward to the series... I'm chuffed to see this one earned you a potd. Cheers ~ John Gary Radice July 19, 2022 at 5:47 AM Hi John. I have to admit I was surprised that 'The Prologue' was actually awarded POTD as I didn't really see it as a stand alone piece but - what do I know? :) I wouldn't worry about knowing any of The Canterbury Tales when reading any of these poems John; I borrowed one or two of the characters, a story or two, The Tabard Inn and put my own spin on them anyway mashing them up with characters from Wonderland and Looking Glass. The whole collection, as I read it now, I think, comes across a little self indulgent. I hope my comments don't put you off. The whole piece is just something I fall in and out of love with depending on my poetic mood and muse. Cheers - Gary

Elaine George December 4, 2020 at 3:34 AM A great story you have woven here, Gary. I enjoyed it very much. ~ Elaine Gary Radice December 4, 2020 at 9:31 AM Thank you Elaine for stopping by, reading and leaving your comments. It's very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Franci Hoffman November 25, 2020 at 7:32 AM I read the Prologue and all the poems that followed. Brilliant rhyming and enjoyable wit. Stellar work, my friend. Gary Radice November 25, 2020 at 8:18 AM Thanks so much Franci. Your comments mean a lot. I was actually planning a conclusion too at one point but may just leave things as they are. Cheers - Gary

Marilene Evans November 24, 2020 at 11:20 AM Great poems, I read them all. Humor and wit, way to go. Gary Radice November 24, 2020 at 11:49 AM Hi Marilene. I appreciate your comments and having the will and energy to read all six parts. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Darlene De Beaulieu November 23, 2020 at 10:21 AM Hello Gary Radice, so the sailor went to sea drunk. I feel for the sailor , he will have a hang over in the moronig. Enjoy your day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu November 24, 2020 at 11:52 AM Hello Gary you are welcome my friend. enjoy your day my friend. Gary Radice November 23, 2020 at 11:02 AM Hi Darlene - Thank you for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Old Buck November 23, 2020 at 8:17 AM Gary: I read the Prologue first, then read the 5 backups. What a wonderful set of work. Ran me through a complete set of emotions. I'm nearly overwhelmed and I don't get that way easily. Thank you so much for sharing these works with all of us on the soup. Well done. oldbuck Gary Radice November 23, 2020 at 9:27 AM Thanks so much for the wonderful comments Old buck and thank you for having the desire and stamina to read all 'the boxset' :) Cheers - Gary

Aju Mukhopadhyay November 23, 2020 at 2:08 AM Thanks for your narrative rhymed poem. There is a feel of adventure. Gary Radice November 23, 2020 at 2:23 AM My pleasure Aju and thank you for your visit and comments. Cheers - Gary

Camp Cab November 20, 2020 at 3:18 PM Nice poem. It was nicely written. Gary Radice November 20, 2020 at 11:36 PM Thanks so much for your visit and comments Camp Cab. Much appreciated! Cheers - Gary

L Milton Hankins November 20, 2020 at 11:48 AM Enjoyed this adventurous introduction to your series. Good job; interesting! Gary Radice November 20, 2020 at 12:06 PM Thank you L Milton Hankins! (Wow! Your name just shouts out "Poet") Cheers - Gary

Regina Mcintosh October 30, 2020 at 8:22 AM Love this. It's a wonderful write.. so creative and original. Much love... God bless you Gary Radice October 30, 2020 at 9:50 AM Thanks so much again Regina for your support and encouragement. Cheers - Gary

Kim Rodrigues October 29, 2020 at 12:36 PM Nicely done! Congratulations, Gary, on POTD! Gary Radice October 29, 2020 at 12:58 PM Thank you Kim! It's the first time any of my poems have been awarded a POTD so it's a nice feeling :) Cheers - Gary

Arturo Michael October 28, 2020 at 6:55 AM Nice...Congratulations Gary Radice on POTD...Well done Gary Radice October 28, 2020 at 8:35 AM Hi Arturo! Thank you for your comments. I'm happy that the poem has been so well received. Cheers - Gary

John Watt October 26, 2020 at 12:32 AM Gary, congrats on the POTD honors for your poetic and ambitious creation. A pleasure to read! ~ John Gary Radice October 26, 2020 at 1:10 AM Thank you John! I'm really glad you enjoyed the read and appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman October 25, 2020 at 8:40 PM What a creative piece, Gary - creative series! Enjoyed the story well told, flowing rhyme. Congratulations on your POTD. Gary Radice October 26, 2020 at 1:06 AM Hi Sam! I'm grateful for your valued comments over the series of poems. I'm really happy how it all turned out. Cheers - Gary

Brandy Nicole October 25, 2020 at 4:40 PM I am following these moments carefully, as every word wraps gently around the next. This is filled with so many emotions. "West winds of springtime brought forth April showers" I like this thought. Congratulations Gary, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy Gary Radice October 26, 2020 at 12:53 AM Thank you Brandy for your comments. The opening lines of The Canterbury Tales' General Prologue has the narrator describing the 'gentle' coming of Spring with its showers so I put my own spin on it..and made it a storm.. the words just flowed like the rain from there. :)

Mark Koplin October 25, 2020 at 3:23 PM That was very enjoyable to read. Well Done on this incredible poem!! Congratulations on honor of POTD! Gary Radice October 26, 2020 at 12:41 AM Hi Mark! Thank you for reading and for your comments. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Tania Kitchin October 25, 2020 at 1:57 PM Gary, congratulations on POTD, I enjoyed this and will be reading your other Wonderland poems! Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 2:14 PM Hi Tania! Thanks for the congratulations. I'm as surprised as I am proud. I hope you enjoy the other poems in the series. Cheers - Gary

Victor Buhagiar October 25, 2020 at 1:23 PM Looks like Chaucer has a competitor. Congratulations for your POTD. Must read your stories. ~~ Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 2:13 PM Hello Victor and thank you so much for your compliment and comments. It's all very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Jan Allison October 25, 2020 at 1:18 PM you are a wonderful story teller in this excellent rhyme Gary, many congrats on a very well deserved POTD, so nice to see another different name getting the award:-)hugs jan xx Jan Allison October 25, 2020 at 5:11 PM yes comments and reads are like hen's teeth at the moment, contest wins and getting POTD or POTW do tend to garner more attention to a poem before it disappears off the radar. Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 2:10 PM Hi Jan! Thanks for your comments. I have to be honest and say that one year in to PS I'm still a little ignorant when it comes to POTD but I need to pay more attention to it - I think I've had more comments today about this one poem I've written than I've had over a month for the rest of my poems :) Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith October 25, 2020 at 11:12 AM Congratulations on your POTD win. What a cute write/story. I really enjoyed it. Enjoy your win.................. Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 12:02 PM Hi Paula. I'm not sure how Poetry Soup determine which poem gets POTD but, hey, I'm not arguing. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the read. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Sunlite Wanter October 25, 2020 at 8:18 AM So much fun to read! I think you should compose a book of these. Congratulations! Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 9:19 AM Hi Sunlite! Thanks for dropping by and reading - I really appreciate it. Thank you for the lovely compliment regarding a book too. I'm 100% sure, that in my case anyway, publishing on Poetry Soup is a more sure fire way of having people come across my work than me paying to self publish. I can dream though and like I say, I really appreciate your comments. :) Cheers - Gary

Beryl Edmonds October 25, 2020 at 8:01 AM Fantastic storytelling through poetry, interesting and rhythmical to read. Congratulations on poem of the day. Belle Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 9:21 AM Hi Belle! Thank you for your lovely comments. I love my poems to tell a story so I'm really happy you enjoyed reading it. Cheers - Gary

Constance La France October 25, 2020 at 7:29 AM Gary, congratulations on your POTD with this part of the series, wonderful _Constance Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 9:24 AM Thank you Constance - I'm unsure the poem stands as a piece in itself because - as you say - it's part of a series but I was really happy to find that it was POTD. I truly appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler October 25, 2020 at 6:23 AM Vivid characters Gary. I quite enjoyed this poem. :) Congratulations on POTD! Linda Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 9:25 AM Hi Linda! Thank you for taking time out to read the whole series and leave your comments. It means a lot. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham October 25, 2020 at 1:21 AM You took us to bustling inn full of colourful characters Gary, enjoyed your verse. Congratulations on POTD, enjoy the honour. Tom Gary Radice October 25, 2020 at 1:42 AM Tom, thanks so much for your comments and alerting me to the fact that this is POTD. I had no idea. It certainly is an honour and I will enjoy it. :) Cheers - Gary

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