Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Nice job with this poem. Physical shakels in comparison to a dogma shackle... in the end, the old ball and chain gets a sense of ball and chainy... even if that chain is disguised in flowers and vines.

Funny how an invisible commitment can suffocate two souls. I'm lucky. I forget that I'm married. : ) That piece of paper was collected like an achievement and can't handfast me.

Only been a little over 4 years owning the paper, of 17 together. But maybe it's all how it's presented? Some feel shackled, because it's the paper that holds them together, and maybe other's feel not so shackled, because the piece of paper certifying the commitment is discarded in a corner?

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Dec-2018

I joke about marriage sometimes, but I think it's a wonderful thing for those who can pull it off. Many though, like myself, having made a mess of it once, aren't in a rush to go down that path again. This was more a case of comparing "marriage" of people to people, whether official or not, to marriage to ideological positions.

Thanks so much once again, Turtle

Comment from closetpoetjester

Excellent

Haha great word Craig and clever placement of your entendre. I enjoyed
"wed to ideaology"
and of course the closer
"handfast to dogma"

I think so long as the union of souls are on the same page, it probably doesn't matter what type of ceremony they partake in. These two in the pic look firmly ensconced in their ideaology and shall clutch to committment!
Well I say,good for them!
To be honest I felt no different after my wedding day than before and I dont believe we fight ANY less LOL and we spent a good whack of time and effort organising the clusterf**k of a day LOL
Nothing went completely to plan, so it was a comedy of errors, but memorable I guess haha

See? It would have been cheaper and much less stressful with a couple of bunches of flowers and some choice phraseology.

Great job mate. I swear, I'll have to change my name to Closet Encyclopedia soon LMAO

Thanks to YOU of course!!
Cheers P

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

Sounds like the kind of do I'd like to have been a fly on the wall at, Phillippa. And whatever floats one's boat, as the saying goes. I think people should do what they think appropriate on their "big day", and not what makes anyone else happy. I tried the "hitched" thing once, and I'd have had less years of suffering if I'd just done her in on the day ;-) But it works for some! Thanks for the fun review :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Love the image accompanying your poem which had lots of truth to it. I have been to ceremonies like this in past years, hippie movement. San Francisco, Woostock. Ideology handfasts many lovers. One less thing to argue about. Marilyn

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

LOL - that's a very good point, Marilyn :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

Ok, I'm not sure about this word. So, they are not really married? Do they think they are married? You don't have to answer either of those questions. I am assuming this is a ritual done by people who are married anyway. Actually, my nephew went through a similar ritual in Slovakia last summer. Then he got married in November. Fun word.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

I think it can be incorporated into legal ceremonies, but sometimes it's not a marriage in a "legal" sense. I've nothing against the ceremony - but I learned after one attempt that marriage of any sort isn't for me lol Thanks, Debbie - Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Tanka aboutvthe ancient ways of a wedding called 'handfast'. I am not 100â?? sure and I can't check now. I think a Tanka should be 5-7-5-7-7. Your format is 5-7-7-7-5. It might be another option that I don't know about.

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

You're quite right, Sandra - I decided to switch the lines, and forgot to adjust to the correct syllables. Thanks for that - I will fix it :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Y. M. Roger

Excellent

Hey - another one I've never even heard of (in reading or otherwise!). Such an interesting image....somekind of Scottish or Celtic ceremony perhaps..? Anyway, it's intriguing in itself..lol!

Keep it up! Your fans sit in happy anticipation...! :) :) :)

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

Thanks for another lovely review - much appreciated; Craig

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

I have never thought of the word, 'handfast,' as shackled. However, it does make sense and seeing how it dates back to the 1200s, it makes even more sense.

Even more, I do not consider my marriage as a 'shackle,' but the term and its meaning certainly explain the oft-used 'ball and chain.'

Thank you for sharing another new word,

~patty~

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

LOL well, it works for some and not others, Patty :) Glad you don't have that feeling though. Neither do I... any more lol

Cheers,
Craig

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi Craig. The definition of handfast makes sense. I wonder if fast is short for fastened. Maybe? You used the word dogma. Interesting since the origin is marriage. I am guessing that hundreds of years ago most marriages were arranged or at least needed parental approval. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

Thanks very much, Pam. The idea was, as people are "bound" in marriage, so they can be "bound" to ideologies. Both can be unhealthy - although marriage needn't be :) Cheers, Craig

reply by Pamusart on 24-Jul-2018

Makes sense Craig. Just wanted to be sure. It was the note that threw me off

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Oh, it's gonna be one of those kind of parties. Handcuffs? Wait?! Sorry I misread, I see now that it's handfast and that was a lucky thing for you too. ;-)

A fine tanka, Craig and the pivot line works very well in drawing in the poet, one would presume that be you, into the discussion having no part of being manacled to dogma.

Much enjoyed this one. :)

gloria

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018

I suppose we all have our own pet attitudes / beliefs / whatever, so it doesn't pay for the kettle to throw stones at glass houses, or something. But I would like to think that I have more than once been willing to adjust my thinking when it became obvious it didn't make sense - which is more than can be said for some :)

As for the handcuff thing - obviously, I have no clue what you mean - but rest assured, they are fur-lined (faux fur, of course).

Many thanks, Gloria.

Comment from rspoet

Excellent

This is an interesting tanka using the word handfast.
My understanding of the word is that was used in remote areas
where no preacher was available and sometimes formalized later.
Manacled is new to me.
Excellent tanka with solid connection of lines
Well done
RS

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

Thanks for the kind words, and the extra info about the practice. Much appreciated - Craig