Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This sonnet, Happiness, looks good for the formatting and reminds me of Macbeth's soliloquy in Act 5:
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Apr-2018

Hi Bill,

Yes, it's an analogy of which Shakespeare was quite fond. He also makes similar comparisons in As You Like it and The Tempest, that I recall. Numerous others have no doubt drawn similar likenesses. Our lives are also like ships on the ocean, tapestries, walking through the woods, etc. etc. Hopefully there is enough other stuff woven into the poem so it's not just an echo of what someone else has said. Cheers, Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Hi Craig. "Bucklebuster." I love it. So far I think this is my favorite word. I agree with Socrates. I have a book which I read daily, too. I wrote about it here on FanStory a few months back. It's called, "The Daily Stoic," by Ryan Holiday. It contains 366 readings, one for each day of the year and for leap year. You may enjoy it. Marilyn

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

I will definitely check that book out, Marilyn. Thanks for the lovely comments, too. Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

"bucklebuster" ... lol. I thought it might be what it feels like after Thanksgiving dinner.

This is a fun word, Craig! I like it! There's nothing like a real good laugh to split one's sides or to split one's buckle. Your poem conveyed the meaning of the word perfectly. It's always great to learn these obscure words. Well done, Craig! ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

Haha, that would work too, Connie. Many thanks for the great review - Craig

Comment from rama devi

Excellent

Eloquent voicing of the age old exploration of what is life about--where is the meaning. I am a fan of contemplative sonnets, and this is a good one! Flawless form, meter and flow. Fine phonetics in phrasing. Fine composition style. fine rhymes. Very fine!
What an interesting volta shift!

Laughter is medicine, for sure. But if we an approach life's downs with a similar sense of humor, then Socrates's advice int he closing couplet will really fit!

Hafiz, a famous Sufi poet, once said something like: "When one sees divinity, then everything appears hysterically funny." (At least I think it was Hafiz who said that!)


Chuckling,
rd

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

I imagine divinity would see us as hysterically funny from time to time - at other times, it would just want to tear its metaphorical hair out in large clumps :)

Many thanks for the great review, RD. Now I'm going to have to go and google this Hafiz person.

Cheers,
Craig

reply by rama devi on 14-Apr-2018

:-)))) He is wonderful. He and Rumi are my favorite poets. Warmly, rd

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Oh boy bucklebuster is almost as good as traditor, and the beautiful thing is the word makes perfect sense as a gut bustin' laugh, so easy to remember, that is of course the key.

One nit in your author note

play that eleicits a laugh from an audience.

An awesome sonnet as is your wont, and a pleasure to read. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

Thanks so much for the lovely comments, Gloria. I like this word too - one of a handful so far. Thanks for the great catch as well. Most appreciated - Craig

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

"Yet does this mean we need to be amused by bucklebuster lines until we split?" What a great word - bucklebuster - feels fun on the tongue, somewhat like "giggle". (Lol)

I've singled out that phrase because it resonates so powerfully with me. I love this whole sonnet, especially your closing couplet, too, but lines 10 and 11 sum up my personality, and I'm self-centered enough to think so (lol)... Perhaps to my detriment (as some folks apparently think I'm too serious).

I think I have a GOOD sense of humor, it just doesn't fit with a lot of other people... I abhor false gaiety. When did it become necessary to hoot and bellow to show we are having a good time/happy? Does that make me a snob? :( I guess I'm depressed, Craig. Ignore me. LOL. (But I bet that gives you some indication of my thinking about your sonnet...)

I do, this time, have one tiny suggestion, although it's really insignificant - I would prefer the word "so" in line 6, instead of "that" - don't ask me why. Really - don't ask me - I don't KNOW why. LOL.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

I just have one response to your comment about my choice of word...

"Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me that..."

Oh, ok, I'll change it ;-)

(even though I think either is acceptable!)

I follow what you are saying. I find a lot of what some people find funny not so amusing (fart jokes, for example, don't often tickle my funny bone - except for the one about the dog under the table), and other times I'll completely crack over something, while others around have a bemused look on their face. I believe the correct term for this condition is known as "insanity". Welcome to the club!

Thanks for the great review, Dawn :)

Craig

reply by Dawn Munro on 14-Apr-2018

That's IT! The Bible musta tol' me "so". :))))))))))

Fart jokes are not funny. Especially kitty fart jokes - cats are very distinguished, you know! Dogs, on the other hand, laugh at anything (and fart easily). Especially when you cook for them, and the food contains beans. (Told ya - bizarre sense of humor. HAHAHAHAHA!)

(WHAT white coats - WHERE?)

reply by Dawn Munro on 14-Apr-2018

p.s. You're welcome, of course. :)

Comment from Cindy McIntyre

Excellent

I loved your Shakespearian first line, "Our lives are like a play upon the stage." All the world's a stage! That was a great hook to draw me in. I enjoyed the word of day idea and found your use of bucklebuster to make a lovely sonnet.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

Thanks very much for the kind comments, Cindy. We owe so many of our expressions, not to mention words, to Mr Shakespeare. Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Sonnet about something we can laugh about is always good it shows we are open to humor and when we laugh it makes us feel happy for the moment. The more reasons we find to laugh about the happier we will feel.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

Thanks very much for the kind remarks, Sandra - most appreciated, Craig

Comment from Eternal Muse

Excellent

I liked this work. It's certainly thought-pondering. Liked you comparing your lives with "play upon a stage." The work "bucklebuster" put a smile on my face.

You say it is a sonnet, and as you may know, it's my favorite form. There is one line where iambic meter is "off kilter", as the Irish say (lol).

"where struggles, each day, in our minds play out".

Perhaps:

"Where struggles, in our minds, each day play out"?

Also, in line 5, "all mens' right". I think it should be "all men's right"? See, when I put an alternative, I didn't see the red underline, where in yours, I did (lol). Just check it out.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

I'm certain you're right in both instances - thanks for the great suggestions, Craig

reply by Eternal Muse on 14-Apr-2018

If you like a sonnet form, give a thought to joining our Crown of heroic sonnets contests. Look it up. Deadline at the end of May. A heroic sonnet is a little different than a regular sonnet, but it's a real challenge.

Comment from MsPetra

Excellent

I really enjoyed this offering. I can see the mental effort you put into it. You nailed it with the last two lines. Your rhyming pattern held throughout. Kudos for that.
There isn't anything I would change. Please keep writing. I am looking forward to future offerings from you.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018

Thank you very much for the lovely, kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed :) Craig