Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Hi Craig. Serendipity and timing are what it's all about, I think. Bravery enters into it, too. We have to recognize opportunity and jump on while it's available to us. "He who hesitates is lost." Nicely composed poem, as always and I do like the new word. (serendipitous) Marilyn

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2018

Thanks so much, Marilyn. I agree, all three go together to make a pretty potent formula for something good. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

I am not a serendipidist, but did I spell that correctly? (*grinning stupidly again*) You see, I prefer to think I am an opportunist. If I were dependant on good luck, well, I couldn't leave all my money at the casino, now could I? LOL. (Love me those one-armed *&%# bandits.) Hahahahaha.(See what your new word inspired? And everyone I know thinks I'm such a romantic!)

(Yep -- burn-out...LOL. The new book will be out in a few days...) *smile*

 Comment Written 14-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 14-Sep-2018

Serendipiditiously, you did ;-)

I'm glad you're an opportunist, my oppor needs tuning!

Thanks for the fun review, Dawn :)

reply by Dawn Munro on 14-Sep-2018

G'night from my jail cell... (lol)

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Graig, yes, I think it was an easier word to figure out, but that doesn't mean you haven't written a great poem, because you have. I liked it very much. All the best. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 13-Sep-2018

Thanks very much for the lovely comments, Ulla, most grateful. Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Well I know there is such a thing as luck and apparently there is one person, yes one person who is the unluckiest person in the world. I wonder if they worked really hard too? lol

That said, preparation is a must because if luck does come your way and you aren't prepared you might just as well say goodbye to Toto, because we ain't in Kansas no more.

Good news at the end though. Yes if you're still alive there's still another day to whine and complain, yes?

Great job, Craig. I always enjoy your perfectly rhymed and metred poems and especially when they're witty too. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 13-Sep-2018

Thanks for the great comments, Gloria. I'm ready. When they call me to advise I've won a fortune on Powerball, I'll be a little surprised, since I didn't buy a ticket, but I won't be unprepared! I've got it all figured out :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Yes, it was clear what it meant. What I always find hard is how to spell 'serendipitous." And one has to spell it correctly to get 'seredipidist' right. I enjoyed the message at the end. We should be thankful to be alive!

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 13-Sep-2018

I shouldn't say anything, but it isn't right ;-) Hate when that happens lol

Many thanks, Helen.

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi Craig. Yes that word is intuitive. Just want to be sure you meant "of fav'rable" rather than "or fav'rably". I am not sure that being alive means no complaints. I have about forty health issues. I can't walk or stand. If I sit my ankle eventually looks like a bowling ball. There are many more serious conditions as well. Plenty of pain and other discomforts. I am not afraid of death. Might even be a relief. I just have to take a few extra diabetes pills to lower my sugars too much. Just thought about it. Not going to do it. Well done. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 13-Sep-2018

Hi Pam,

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, and I certainly didn't mean to belittle difficulties people might legitimately have. When I wrote it, I was actually thinking about how I have been whining because of a parcel I've been waiting more than a week for, which should have got here in a day or two. And then I looked at my 14 year-old dog, who is almost completely deaf, half blind, doesn't get around real well, and has numerous other complaints, including less than half a pancreas, and having suffered from epilepsy most of her life; yet she is the happiest dog you could hope to meet. In light of that, my "problems" -- the things I complain about -- are nothing. Also, we lost our other dog who we also got 14 years ago just a few weeks back. And I thought, in spite of all Bella has to put up with, she is still with us, Misty isn't. So that's where the poem came from :)

reply by Pamusart on 13-Sep-2018

Craig. I never felt you belittled me or anyone else. I am just like your Bella. I am very happy in spite of my issues.

Comment from Dawnya

Excellent

A nice reworking of common adages to present questions of luck vs planning. The last lines lighten the queries with a reminder to be thankful to be alive.

side note: serendipidist creates a tongue-tied mouthful.

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018

Thanks for the much-appreciated comments. It's only a five-syllable word, some of the seven syllable ones the book has thrown out there have been more of a challenge :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

I have been pondering your analysis of luck. I think that you nailed it when you said that "probabilities determine fates,
though we can help a little on the way."
Sometimes, there is some degree of work involved with luck. I like to think so.
Gloria wrote a poem lately in which she said that studies show that some people are born unlucky. I can't imagine who were the guinea pigs for that study. What an awful idea. I like to think that, at least sometimes, people can improve their luck if they have a mind to. Guess I am not a fan of predestination.
Anyway, I enjoyed thinking about your excellent poem.

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018

You'll never make a Lutheran preacher, then :)

Many thanks for the most thoughtful review, Debbie.

Craig

reply by Debbie Pope on 12-Sep-2018

Grew up Presbyterian

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written poem about the chances we have to find any luck or good fortune in our lives. Some people are just at the right place at the right time to find their fortune, others searching their whole life.

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018

Thanks very much, Sandra. It certainly seems to be that way. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Karol Bond

Excellent

Very well done. I have always loved the word serendipity/serendipitous. I guess because it's just fun to say.
I believe my mother was right when she accused me of refusing to grow up. ;)

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 Comment Written 12-Sep-2018

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reply by the author on 12-Sep-2018

Growing up is overrated :)

Many thanks for the lovely comments.

Craig