ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Greetings All

I received an excellent suggestion from Terry with a view to stimulating more Forum involvement by our current group of participants, and hopefully encouraging others to join us.

Terry suggested expanding the current Lyrics forum to ... Lyrics - Haiku - Sonnets.

This has been done and you will find the adjusted forum on the Board index page under the "General Bush Poetry Verandah" section. You are most welcome to post original song lyrics, as well as haiku and sonnets. Constructive feedback on poems and lyrics is, as always, most welcome.

Cheers
Shelley

I'd be interested to hear feedback on this forum subject adjustment, and of course, also to see your sonnets and haiku make an appearance, along with lyrics of course.

What do you think?

Cheers
Shelley

Hi Shelley,
I think it has merit, in the sense of having the opportunity to post the different forms.
After all it is all good brain exercise and a bit of fun, what ever the form.
Cheers
Ron.

Hi Shelley. I find it difficult to be enthused about sonnets and haiku, much the same as non-rhyming/free verse expression. Personally, I don't feel as though I can get my message across in such a limited format. It is another very specialized skill to be able to construct an impact to get the response being sought. I feel they require a completely different mindset. I will, however, give it a try when I have time. So much of my time is writing, reviewing then reviewing again the standard traditional verses. I reckon it comes down to a right brain/left brain thing which we can't change ( or can we?) Cheers David
PS As a relative newcomer to writing poetry, it's challenging for me to write Traditional Bush Poetry to a standard, let alone delve into the myriad of other poetic forms. It really does highlight the extraordinary creative skill and talent of those who have preceded us over the centuries.

Hi Shelley

I will certainly give it a go.

To me, I see it's possibilities as a teaching guide in how to make the best use of words,
we're all still learning no matter how long we've been writing.

It's also a challenge, that for most of us (well certainly me),
it will take time to get anywhere near being proficient at.
But that's the same as writing any sort of poetry isn't it.

Terry

Hi Ron, Terry and David

Thanks so much for your feedback, and you all make very valid points.

David - I think we are all on your page. Rhymed and metred bush verse in the longer ballad format is definitely heartland for us all, and I doubt anything will ever tempt us to stray very far from that path.

Ron and Terry - I agree with both of you that this gives us added opportunities to step outside the square and have a bit of fun with alternative styles and genres.

Looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

Cheers
Shelley

Update - I have adjusted the description of this section again, to read ...

Lyrics-Haiku-Sonnets-Other Poetry Forms

This will allow for us to experiment with different lesser known structures such as pantoum, villanelle, rondelet, and so on ... if you wish to do so.

Note that blank verse and free verse will still belong in the section devoted to them, now labelled "Non-Rhyming Poetry and Free Verse".

Cheers
Shelley

I love them and am always up for a challenge - so you can count me in.

I'll give this new section a share on the ARP page as well and see if we can't generate some interest there.

Thanks Maureen - that's great.