Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is very good. I think that many "late bloomers" have indeed been on the fringes of society--and/or laughing stock while growing up. As we "bloom" many of us indeed become someone to be reckoned with and/or gaping stock. Marilyn

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Thanks very much for the thoughtful comments, Marilyn. Ugly ducklings do happen for real occasionally (not speaking from personal experience, but observation). Cheers, Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

Well, I would hate to be a 'gaping-stock'. It sounds awful, doesn't it? Much worse than 'laughing-stock' ... more shocking!

Thanks for teaching me yet another new word, Craig. I like the picture that you chose. One has to guess if the person in the picture is the one who is doing the gaping or if he/she is the one being gaped at. :) ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Very true, Connie. I liked the picture because it left a kind of ambiguity, so the reader could decide their own context. I really appreciate the lovely comments. Craig

Comment from Harry Smith

Excellent

This is a very interesting word that the reader that is new to the reader. Great picture selection for a poem that is full of emotions. I really learn new words from your poems and try to use them too.

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

I'm glad you're finding them useful, and thanks very much for the lovely comments - Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

A most interesting fiveseventyfive, Craig. The poetic ambiguity of course allows us to arrive at own conclusion based on the word "stock". The photo adds the missing link, kinda. LOL. Could go either way, so I'm going movie star because it's unlikely a serial killer would be stared at in a crowd.

Thought provoking as is your signature.

Enjoyed.

Gloria

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Thanks so much, Gloria. It's fun sometimes not to fill in all the blanks. Appreciate your comments, always. Craig

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi Craig. The definition of gape-stock did not surprise. But I thought gaping at livestock. You gave a big clue with the hyphenated laughing-stock. Now we just have to figure out why the stock is in there. Any ideas? Maybe a laughing cow? Your posts are always fun. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

I think the idea might come from wooden stocks, which were a form of punishment in times gone by, Pam. An "offender" would be shackled in public, and then subjected to scorn and ridicule - as in "laughing-stock". Many thanks for the continued support - Craig

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Good job, Craig, on your 575. Your words flow nicely & make good sense. You did a good job with the transition from laughing to being laughed at, or being stared a. Thanks for sharing. Jan.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Thanks very much for the great comments, Jan. Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from phill doran

Excellent

Hello to you
I have read several of these that you have posted. It is an interesting idea. I was thinking if it would be possible for you to render an entire piece in linguistic curiosities? I mean, not just using one word, but creating an entire poem.
One of my favourite expressions is the title of a medieval poem written in an English dialect "The Ayenbite of Inwyt" which is normally rendered as 'the agenbite of inwit' meaning the "again-biting of inner wit", or remorse as we might say - particularly the pricking of conscience.
'the agenbite of inwit" is the whole "7" line of a 5-7-5!
Seriously, I have read several of your poems and the idea is excellent - but a complete piece that is valid, technically correct but utterly incomprehensible (unless you have the key) would be a great endeavour.

Regardless: I wish you well with your writing.

cheers

phill

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

You should use that term in a 5-7-5 contest entry!

That's an intriguing idea. One day, if I ever drink enough, I might even attempt it. I often find handling just the one a chore. But it could be fun to read the review comments :)

Who knows? Maybe lol

Many thanks for a great review and a fun suggestion.

Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written poem about being the object of others amusement by becoming the laughing stock of everyone around until the day no one is laughting but gaping-stock everyone's staring at.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Thanks very much, Sandra. Your interpretation is spot on. Most grateful - Craig

Comment from catch22

Excellent

Hi Craig, you've said a lot in this short poem about how laughing matters can turn very serious in the blink of an eye. The word of the day worked well in the poem and set an ironic tone that could be interpreted a variety of ways. I saw this as a social comment myself. Well done.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Jun-2018

Thanks very much for the fine review, Pam. Yes, social comment, although I was happy to leave it open to interpretation, as there are several possible meanings that spring to mind other than the one that first entered my head.

Cheers,
Craig

Comment from Scarbrems

Excellent

Good word. I like the ambiguity here. Could be a positive thing to be a gaping-stock as opposed to a laughing-stock, but it all depends on the reason people are gaping. it could be in awe, or in sheer disbelief, or in horror. What once was merely funny might have taken a dark, sinister tone. There's probably some psychological analysis you could do based on which reason people assume from reading this. I'm inclined towards dark meanings of a political nature. Now what does that say about me?

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 17-Jun-2018

It probably says you think a lot like I do, Emma. Either that, or you know what I'm like.

However, I was pleased to see that the two reviews it's had so far have recognised that this could also have a positive interpretation. There's a message in this that's in the back of my mind, but I wanted people to be able to reach other conclusions as well.

Thanks for the thoughtful review, and nice to hear from you :)

Craig