ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

Ours is this summer night

Conquered by the blue moon

As seldom as this flight.

Chirping crickets swallow

The rustle of dry leaves

And of the undergrowth.

Luna peeks through the trees,

Wanting to bear witness

To our mutual feast.

Wild wolves' howls from afar

Harmonize with your groans

As I taste some sugar.

Our sudden about-face!

Your turn's my time to shine;

You o'erlay, I stargaze.

Your head down, my chin up,

Fair lady, gasp for air!

But for God's sake, don't stop!

Storm clouds cover the light;

In darkness, there's blindness.

The rest, history cites.

Reviews

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Sir Joe

You have honoured me with many reviews, for which thank you.

My turn to return your compliments.

I never know how to start a review.

These days it is simply a mix between how I feel and what a piece says to me.

And yours says much.

Your are from the Philippines and I from the UK.

But as I often say, our differences may as easily unite as much as our similarities may divide.

Your poem:

You caught me in our first line:

"Ours is this summer night"

Wherever we hail from, there are summer nights.

A point of inevitable correspondence.

But once caught you draw me in as any good writer (and you are) should.

Summer nights fade into blue moons.

Crickets do not exist in The UK.

But when I have been abroad, where it is hot, they do.

How to spend an evening listening to the song of cicadas?

How do you spend yours here?

In this case, in my view, making love.

And making love with passion.

Sex in situ.

Sugar in sex?

Yes!

Sex in writing?

Yes!

I apologise to anyone who closes their ears to sex, but it has often appeared to me over the years that it is rather more than a biological function!

Smile please. You are on Candid Camera!

It is a joy!

It is something to luxuriate in.

As you say 'Don't stop'

Best not if you are 'stargazing' while she is 'o'erlay'ing!

You enchant me with your sexual honesty.

Places people perhaps fear to tread as reviewers.

And even in their reviews (no complaint) others refuse to openly state.

Why?

In case they get it wrong.

Are we all prudes?

Who cares? I am not. Nor are you.

Take it as it comes.

Writing and the reading thereof is only ever a joint experience.

You have offered your reality.

I have merely offered you mine and my take; my reality in return.

Have I misunderstood you?

Perhaps.

Should you care?

No!

Accomplished writing?

Yes!

But more than that entirely open honest and disarming.

Can I find fault in your poem?

No or by now even I would have told you so.

Sir Joe?

I shall look forward to reading you more

With my warmest regards

Your friend


James

[Sir Joe]

How could I ever thank you enough, Sir James. You always astonish me with your words. My mind is kind of saying, "We have an expert here. And wow! He has just reviewed my poem!"
Saying "thank you" seems not enough but that's what I can just do for now.
I owe you one, Sir James. I'll come back to you. =)

Thank you so much!


- joe

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Joe

You owe me nothing.

All I ask for is your understanding.
read moreDear Joe

You owe me nothing.

All I ask for is your understanding.

Your friend

James

[Sir Joe]

Sir James, even before you said that, I've already been understanding you unsolicitedly. =)
read moreSir James, even before you said that, I've already been understanding you unsolicitedly. =)

Thank you so much, Sir James, for your kindness. =)


- joe

[Belle]

Hail to your poem and to this review. I cannot do more, but just read and re-read and again read. You two are making me love poetry more...

[Sir Joe]

Thank you, big sister. =)
Tell me what you think about the poem hahahaha

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Joe

You have an audience now, it would seem.

I just articulate the truth.

Is it that difficult?

I hope not.

And if it isn't, long may it be so.

James

[James Hanna-Magill]

James and Belle

Welcome

James

[James Hanna-Magill]

In an effort for clarity and in excuse my absence, I meant

Joe and Belle

Sorry

James

[Sir Joe]

I'm flattered, Sir James.

Thank you so much for those words. =)

[James Hanna-Magill]

Dear Joe and Belle

I like your mutual agreement and poetic honesty.

Frankly all I do is honesty these days.

What other purpose is there to serve?

I befriend you both.

I am tired and need to sleep soon.

With my best wishes to you both friends

James Hanna-Magill

[Sir Joe]

It is, indeed, true that when a person is overwhelmed, he couldn't quite squeeze the right words to say to the people who caused him that feeling.
=)

Sir James, my greatest thanks to you.


- joe

[Belle]

Definitely correct, yet, for sure, you can collect the overflowing emotion and will be able to put it all in words in your tranquil moment. ;)

[Sir Joe]

Wordsworth's right, indeed. If I still remember his exact words, these might be those, "Poetry is an overflow of man's unrestrained emotion recollected in a state of tranquility."
Correct me if I'm wrong, big sister and Sir James. =)

[Belle]

William Wordsworth : " “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” ...One of my favorites from him. :)

[Sir Joe]

That's what I'm talking about hehehehe

[James Hanna-Magill]

You are both right, James

[Sir Joe]

Belle and I are planning to go to UK someday. =D
We will look for you there, Sir James, and perhaps sip some cups of coffee. =)

[KeelyJane]

This review speaks volumes. I couldn't have said it better. If only we all could receive such profound, honest and empathetic feedback.

[Sir Joe]

I agree, Keely. That's the great reviewer Sir James. =)

[Belle]

Yes, to UK and to Ancient Greece...

[Sir Joe]

Yeah! I'm so excited! =)

[James Hanna-Magill]

Hello Sir Joe and Belle and fiends

If I do anything in life, I only wish to help and not hinder.

Life is an oddity.

We can be plain and clear about it.

Or we can hide what we mean.

Should we be embarrassed about what we have to offer?

I say no.

My only limit would be where someone encourages others to harm someone else.

Not so here.

It is but enjoying all the fullness of life.

My objective is never to harm.

Just to help.

All I can hope is I do.

But only you can tell me whether I do or not.

I can't.

All is perception.

Read my profile,

Take care and with my best meant feelings

James Hanna-Magill

[Sir Joe]

SIr James, you are so much a great help to me.
I've already read your profile yesterday and all I can say is that I salute you. That introduction about you invoked empathy and sympathy. You don't deserve pity, you deserve commendation and respect. I bow down too you, Sir James, for your great cause.

- joe

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

My Fave.

Storm clouds cover the light;
In darkness, there's blindness.
The rest, history sites.

I am thinking of the grassy place and the title of the movie is "The ruin" lol just kidding, really I love every words express here Sir. Joe :) I love it. It is stunning brilliant piece. Can't describe more than perfect elegant style of write.

[Sir Joe]

Now that sounds really flattering, Sir Marc. =)
Thank you so much for always saying words of appreciation for my writings. =)
That's why I always want you to review my piece. hahaha =)

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Welcome Sir Joe :)

[Yellow Butterfly]

We all have an animal instinct hidden deep inside our souls...

You've written an extremely eloquent and vivid piece here Sir Joe

[Sir Joe]

I totally agree with you.
Thank you so much, Yellow Butterfly. =)

[Yellow Butterfly]

Your welcome... :O)

[Frieda P]

Feisty and elegant at the same time...very different in it's approach. I love your style, much enjoyed this one!

[Sir Joe]

Thank you so much, Frieda!
=)

[Frieda P]

Was my pleasure. :-)