The Boy and Gunkar Singh
Blank Verse22 total reviews
Comment from A.A.A.EXHILARATING RIDE
What wonderful images this conjures up! Taste, smell, colour, and a specific bloom of our global culture; plus freedom to play, explore and choose with wisdom. To me it speaks of both choice and being chosen by a greater hand, to gift an ear to the wise, and grow above the common herd, to expand the potential of our humanity, blessing all.
Thank you for sharing, a poem I felt I walked with, imbibing the experience with joy. Blessings, Maureen*&*
reply by the author on 17-Sep-2015
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What wonderful images this conjures up! Taste, smell, colour, and a specific bloom of our global culture; plus freedom to play, explore and choose with wisdom. To me it speaks of both choice and being chosen by a greater hand, to gift an ear to the wise, and grow above the common herd, to expand the potential of our humanity, blessing all.
Thank you for sharing, a poem I felt I walked with, imbibing the experience with joy. Blessings, Maureen*&*
Comment Written 17-Sep-2015
reply by the author on 17-Sep-2015
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Glad you enjoyed this one, Maureen. It was loosely based on my memories of Singapore as a child.
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Oh! To connect and touch the world on FanStory! Rainbow blessings*&*
Comment from TPAC
Descriptive write. Writer line structuring is profound in its structuring and appealing in its presentation grabbing my interests -a different read.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2015
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Descriptive write. Writer line structuring is profound in its structuring and appealing in its presentation grabbing my interests -a different read.
Comment Written 25-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2015
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Thanks, TPAC. I very much appreciate your review. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from ellie6
A brilliant poem . I can picture the young lad sitting, entranced by the tales of the old Sikh. The reference to touching the mimosa leaves and watching them close takes me right back to Singapore in the '70,s This poem pictures the colonial life admirably. A time long gone - and maybe that's no bad thing.
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2015
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A brilliant poem . I can picture the young lad sitting, entranced by the tales of the old Sikh. The reference to touching the mimosa leaves and watching them close takes me right back to Singapore in the '70,s This poem pictures the colonial life admirably. A time long gone - and maybe that's no bad thing.
Comment Written 23-Aug-2015
reply by the author on 29-Aug-2015
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Many thanks for this empathetic review, Ellie, and for the six stars. How dramatically Singapore has changed now! I spent quite a bit of time there off and on, in my childhood in the 1950s. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Benjamin Valencia
Hi Tony. Hmm. Definitely, the description here is as vivid and savory as the food that comes from these lands. Every word here, I could literally smell the very spice of life itself. Take care and cheers.
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Hi Tony. Hmm. Definitely, the description here is as vivid and savory as the food that comes from these lands. Every word here, I could literally smell the very spice of life itself. Take care and cheers.
Comment Written 28-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Benjamin. Glad I was able to bring it to life for you.
Comment from ravenblack
Besides being extremely well written, what I most like about your recent blank verse compositions is your keen eye for other cultures, communicating their essence, their dignity. We could use a lot more of that these days. Deepest pools of eastern fire- your description of Gunkar Singh blew me away. The boy may not yet understand the potent magic released in purple puffs of flowers, but he knows it exists in Gunkar Singh. Beautiful work!
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Besides being extremely well written, what I most like about your recent blank verse compositions is your keen eye for other cultures, communicating their essence, their dignity. We could use a lot more of that these days. Deepest pools of eastern fire- your description of Gunkar Singh blew me away. The boy may not yet understand the potent magic released in purple puffs of flowers, but he knows it exists in Gunkar Singh. Beautiful work!
Comment Written 28-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Ed. I spent quite a bit of my childhood in Singapore. Gunkar Singh was drawn from my vague memories of the doorman at the Goodwood Park Hotel in the 1950s. I appreciate your six stars and complimentary words. Tony
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Tony - this is simply wonderful. I have lived in the Far East (not India however) and you capture the atmosphere perfectly. Very Rudyard Kipling. I found your second short stanza amusing - I saw a film 'White Mischief' - very much like those women playing bridge and having affairs. Not like that for me I might add LOL. The whole is a great read and your final stanza is lovely. A superb piece of writing and a treat to read. Warm regards Dorothy x (Of course, it is so good that you probably wont get loads and loads of reviews LOL)
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Tony - this is simply wonderful. I have lived in the Far East (not India however) and you capture the atmosphere perfectly. Very Rudyard Kipling. I found your second short stanza amusing - I saw a film 'White Mischief' - very much like those women playing bridge and having affairs. Not like that for me I might add LOL. The whole is a great read and your final stanza is lovely. A superb piece of writing and a treat to read. Warm regards Dorothy x (Of course, it is so good that you probably wont get loads and loads of reviews LOL)
Comment Written 28-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Very many thanks, Dorothy. You are right - more read than reviewed! However, some lovely reviews too, yours not least! I grew up in Singapore, steeped in Kipling and Somerset Maughan - and drew Gunkar Singh from life! He was my seven-year old's memory of the Sikh doorman at the Goodwood Park Hotel in the 1950's. I appreciate your recognition and the sixth star.I suppose, with the hoel in mind, I might call it the Inn of the Sixth Happiness! LOL
Comment from His Grayness
W this wow Tony, this is a really interesting trip into an unfamiliar culture with really great packaging of unique language, dress, and yet a delightful story full of very captivating thought and message. You sure do get around dear friend! It's always a pleasure to see what unusual learning you are going to deliver! Thanks so much....Vance
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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W this wow Tony, this is a really interesting trip into an unfamiliar culture with really great packaging of unique language, dress, and yet a delightful story full of very captivating thought and message. You sure do get around dear friend! It's always a pleasure to see what unusual learning you are going to deliver! Thanks so much....Vance
Comment Written 28-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Thanks, Vance, for your review and six stars. Much appreciated as always. There were hints of my own childhood here, some of which was spent in Singapore - but I muddied the track with shades of Kipling and Somerset Maughan!
Comment from Laurie Keim
HI Tony.
No doubt, this is the start of longer poem, isn't it.
It is lush with imagery and the cadence is particular and sonorous. You present the society from which the boy rises in a way that surges with life. I can see those women playing, I can hear their voices, even. From rubber plantations to bouncing cheques, we sense the "rubbery" nature of this wealth and social status.
"Meanwhile, their women played at bridge and trumped
each other's conquests, playing jacks and kings
with reputations, laughingly with barbs
that wounded prettily, on pouting lips."
Cards is both metaphor and cultural duplication of their own family ambitions. "laughingly with barbs" is a stand-out observation.
The boy's journey across the lawn is presented with a sense magic and musing. You successful give the sense that the boy is wondering through-out. Have you lived in India, Tony?
"Each day he slipped across the cow-grass lawns,
touched mimosa leaves and made them close
with potent magic, not yet understood,
and crushed the purple powder puffs of flowers
unthinkingly beneath his sun-tanned toes,
as on he strode, towards the marble steps
where Gunkar Singh, the splendid Sikh, stood guard
and welcomed members of the country club,
with haughty, regal mien."
The sun-tanned toes against the marble is a startling image and a wonderful piece of poetry.
I enjoyed this very much.
Cheers,
Laurie
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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HI Tony.
No doubt, this is the start of longer poem, isn't it.
It is lush with imagery and the cadence is particular and sonorous. You present the society from which the boy rises in a way that surges with life. I can see those women playing, I can hear their voices, even. From rubber plantations to bouncing cheques, we sense the "rubbery" nature of this wealth and social status.
"Meanwhile, their women played at bridge and trumped
each other's conquests, playing jacks and kings
with reputations, laughingly with barbs
that wounded prettily, on pouting lips."
Cards is both metaphor and cultural duplication of their own family ambitions. "laughingly with barbs" is a stand-out observation.
The boy's journey across the lawn is presented with a sense magic and musing. You successful give the sense that the boy is wondering through-out. Have you lived in India, Tony?
"Each day he slipped across the cow-grass lawns,
touched mimosa leaves and made them close
with potent magic, not yet understood,
and crushed the purple powder puffs of flowers
unthinkingly beneath his sun-tanned toes,
as on he strode, towards the marble steps
where Gunkar Singh, the splendid Sikh, stood guard
and welcomed members of the country club,
with haughty, regal mien."
The sun-tanned toes against the marble is a startling image and a wonderful piece of poetry.
I enjoyed this very much.
Cheers,
Laurie
Comment Written 27-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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I must say, I had considered a longer poem and maybe there is one there, some time in the future! There were hints of my own childhood here, some of which was spent in Singapore - but I muddied the track with shades of Kipling and Somerset Maughan! Gunkar Singh was modelled on the imposing figure of the Sikh doorman at the Goodwood Park Hotel in the 1950's. I was in great awe of him, despite his friendly smiles at the 'young sahib'! Thanks for the six stars! Much appreciated, as always.
Comment from rspoet
This is fine flowing descriptive verses
How can it be blank when it is full of wonderful lines
I saw not a rhyme in or out
just a sahib boy and a splendid Sikh who stood guard
at the country club. Sad ironies.
Women come and go or simply sit and play bridge
and the world repeats
but one is absorbing culture...
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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This is fine flowing descriptive verses
How can it be blank when it is full of wonderful lines
I saw not a rhyme in or out
just a sahib boy and a splendid Sikh who stood guard
at the country club. Sad ironies.
Women come and go or simply sit and play bridge
and the world repeats
but one is absorbing culture...
Comment Written 27-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Many thanks for this review, rspoet, and for the six stars. I have always been a bit puzzled by the term 'blank verse' - it seems not to describe the form at all well!
Comment from RGstar
An unusual and well defined write, my friend. Imagery in abundance, you paint a canvass for lovers of words to bask in.
A lovely display of writing with the subject matter potent indeed.
Bravo.
Best wishes.
RGstar
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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An unusual and well defined write, my friend. Imagery in abundance, you paint a canvass for lovers of words to bask in.
A lovely display of writing with the subject matter potent indeed.
Bravo.
Best wishes.
RGstar
Comment Written 27-Jul-2015
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2015
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Thanks, RG, both for the kind words and the six stars. I lived in Singapore for quite a while when I was a child and have occasional flashbacks, though this one is well disguised by vague undertones of Kipling and Somerset Maughan.