Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I've not heard of a nyctograph before, but I enjoyed reading about Lewis Carroll and his clever invention. Your verses really flowed along nicely with some clever rhyming. Great read,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 30-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2018

Thanks very much for the lovely review, Valda. Most grateful :) Craig

Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

What a wonderful meter, and a deliciously funny poem. The rhyme and internal rhyme are spot-on, and so very clever. Lewis Carroll, huh? LOL! Of course my favorite line has to be, "...'til they've all had a gutful of Alice!"

One other thing I feel compelled to remark about - it's been a source of aggravation (albeit minor) for me, and you have restored my faith - I have repeatedly tried, in reviews, to inform other poets that "till" is something one does to the ground to prepare it for seeding. 'Til is the abbreviated form of "until". (THANK YOU!)

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Jan-2018

Thanks for the wonderful comments and the stellar rating, Dawn. Now that we've knocked the until thing on the head, can we turn our attention to IT'S greatest rival in the annoying grammar contest? Your lovely review has got my morning off to the perfect start :)

Cheers, Craig

Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

Dodgson was indeed a gifted soul, and got as much contemptuous treatment as
gifted children get today. I wonder if they had matches or tinderboxes and flints to light lamps in his day...sound rhymes and internal rhymes-excellent.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

Thanks for the kind review - much appreciated. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

Another fine word I never heard of. You're doing a great job with a new word every day. I could use a nyctograph too, or an assistant that could take notes every time I get a good idea fot wtiting.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

Speaking of which, where has my scribe gone? Can't get good help these days! Many thanks, Joy :)

Craig

reply by Joy Graham on 27-Jan-2018

for writing - om my gosh this iPad isn't making me happy. My fat fingers are a problem as well.

Comment from frierajac

Excellent

Fascinating read. I hadn't heard about this and wonder why as I've read quite a lot of Victorian social history. The poem is jaunty and flaunts Lewis's ingenuity. I would like to see this invention in action.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

From photos, it appears to be a very simple device. Glad you found my poem interesting :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Excellent

LOL I love how as poets we can take liberties. This is very well done and the rhymeing is perfect with the double internal that I envy

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

Liberties???? My story contains not a word of a lie! If you're in any doubt, ask the subject ;-) Thanks for the lovely comments. Craig

Comment from damommy

Excellent

This was very interesting and very well written. Good rhythm and internal rhyme.

This sounds a lot like Braille, doesn't it? What a genius Carroll was.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

A bit of Braille, a bit of Morse Code, and a lot of effort, I think. Just remembering the letters would probably do me in. Many thanks for the lovely review. Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

This is a terrific poem, Craig. I really enjoy the vigorous metre and superb rhymes.

Perhaps we all need a nyctograph. Very well done with this true story.

Gloria

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

Thank you for the lovely review, Gloria. The device itself is super simple, but I think just remembering the code would do me in. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Exceptional

Now THAT is clever. I suppose he inks his finger, touches the right letter on a bumpy pattern, and then presses his finger onto paper to stamp it. Sounds like more trouble than lighting a lamp.

I really like the rhyme pattern you've used, splitting lines 1 and 3 into rhyming halves. Some great pairs of rhyming words here too. :)

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

I've checked out photos, and it looks like just a rectangular piece of card with rows of square holes. My guess is it was used with a pencil, and kind of like a stencil.

Thank you for the superb comments and the wonderful 6 stars, Phyllis. Got my day off to a lovely start. Craig

reply by Phyllis Stewart on 27-Jan-2018

Oh, a stencil! How clever.

Comment from Wetbelly01

Excellent

Bravo!!... What a fine and informative piece!....
Great rhythm and rhyme!... Awesome storyline!...
I didn't see any problems with it at all...
I'm wondering if there would be something like
the 'Nyctograph' nowadays...
My compliments on your poem!... Well Done!!

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2018

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reply by the author on 27-Jan-2018

I'm not sure if it's sold, but it looks like something the average person could make in a few minutes, and we have the code he invented as well. So, why not? Many thanks for the lovely review. Craig

reply by Wetbelly01 on 27-Jan-2018

You're welcome!...
Very interesting idea!