Comment from Henry King

Excellent

This poet is on an excellent quest for those of us mesmerized by words, words with all their meanings. Especially words of the English language. I have watched my children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren be fascinated by Legos. At my age I am fascinated with playing with the blocks of English and putting them together in shapes fantastic. This poet is deep into it. Well done.

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

Thank you very much for the kind words, much appreciated. English is indeed fun (if sometimes exasperating) to play with. Craig

reply by Henry King on 23-Jul-2018

You are very welcome.

Comment from M. Covert Payton

Good

It's good, I like the idea, but shouldn't it read handfastED to dogma ... ? I know that handfast is an adjective, that means manacled ... but that means that one would for example subscribe to a handfast dogma, or have a handfast dogma, but if you write handfast to dogma then handfast is working as a verb, and poetically speaking if yer gonna utilise an adjective as a verb it tends to flow better in the past tense.

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 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

With respect, I disagree. For starters, handfasted isn't a word. If anything, it would be handfastened, which also isn't a word. I have the benefit of the book here, which has a discussion and gives an example. The closing words are "handfast in manacles." That is, [adjective] [preposition] [noun]. My example, "handfast to dogma" is also [adjective] [preposition] [noun] -- just the same. If you read it as "shackled" (also an adjective), an exact substitution, meaning wise, it's clear.

Thanks for reviewing.

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This 5-7-7-7-5, Ties That Bind, introduces the concept of the handfast and its place in a certain culture. I wonder if wearing rings is derived from a ritual like this. I wish I would have gotten my wife a rope instead of a ring. (Not really)

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

I think doing away with one's spouse is frowned upon in most western civilisations, Bill! Many thanks for reviewing - Craig

Comment from Kerry Foley

Excellent

This is a lovely Tanka poem, my friend. I like the old tradition of it.
Nicely done. ~Kerry

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

Thanks very much for the kind compliment, Kerry.

Craig

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Handfast...cool word...manacled...derives from French 'main'....for hand
Well penned...garlands wreath as long as their love is pledged
Reminds me of Braveheart...
God bless

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 Comment Written 22-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018

Thank you, Jenny, for the kind comments and the mini French lesson - I am filing that away in the hope I'll be able to remember it at some point in the future (not as easy as it once was lol) :) Cheers, Craig