From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

I realize that you're unfamiliar with either of these grades firsthand, but an "A" is not the same as a "B."

Or were all of your short bus classes simply "Pass"/"Fail"?

Dumbass.


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142
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From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

mpsilvertone@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (HarryLime) wrote in news:RrOcnR6cu_u4DAL0nZ2dnZfqn_udnZ2d@giganews.com:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february >>>>>>>>>> -annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a >>>>>>>> version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

I realize that you're unfamiliar with either of these grades
firsthand, but an "A" is not the same as a "B."

Or were all of your short bus classes simply "Pass"/"Fail"?

Dumbass.

It's a Dockery. The choices are always "Fail"/"Fail". It's generational
too. At least he's a poet.

<THWACK!>

Sorry, I think I just got smited for that last sentence.
--
"The fact that it doesn't apply to the poem is of little consequence to
you, because your poems don't have a literary basis, because you're functionally illiterate and haven't got a clue as to what a poem is." -
Little Willie Douchebag gets another asskicking from Pendragon
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


mpsilvertone@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (HarryLime) wrote in

news:RrOcnR6cu_u4DAL0nZ2dnZfqn_udnZ2d@giganews.com:
Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

:

Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february >>>>>>>>>> -annette-wynne.html

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a >>>>>>>> version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

I realize that

I thought you would.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


mpsilvertone@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (HarryLime) posted:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:

I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

an "A" is not the same as a "B."

Of course not.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772100708-3274@newsgrouper.org:

mpsilvertone@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (HarryLime) wrote in

news:RrOcnR6cu_u4DAL0nZ2dnZfqn_udnZ2d@giganews.com:
Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

:

Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-febru
ary -annette-wynne.html

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has
a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

I realize that that you're unfamiliar with either of these grades
firsthand, but an "A" is not the same as a "B."

Or were all of your short bus classes simply "Pass"/"Fail"?

Dumbass.

It's a Dockery. The choices are always "Fail"/"Fail". It's generational
too. At least he's a poet.

<THWACK!>

Sorry, I think I just got smited for that last sentence.

I thought [SLAP!]

You never do, you just lie about it, Douchebag.
--
"The fact that it doesn't apply to the poem is of little consequence to
you, because your poems don't have a literary basis, because you're functionally illiterate and haven't got a clue as to what a poem is." -
Little Willie Douchebag gets another asskicking from Pendragon
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

For over 50 years now.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772121753- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]


It's a Dockery. The choices are always "Fail"/"Fail". It's generational
too. At least he's a poet.

<THWACK!>

Sorry, I think I just got smited for that last sentence.

I thought [SLAP!]

You never do, you just lie about it, Douchebag.

For over 50 years now.

Thanks for confirming, Douchebag.
--
"The fact that it doesn't apply to the poem is of little consequence to
you, because your poems don't have a literary basis, because you're functionally illiterate and haven't got a clue as to what a poem is." -
Little Willie Douchebag gets another asskicking from Pendragon
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772121753- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Yes, I've written poetry for over 50 years now.

Thanks for confirming

Not a problem.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772176029-3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in
news:1772121753- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Yes, I've written poetry for over 50 years now.

Thanks for confirming

Not a problem.

It's a problem, snipping liar!

Let's restore it.

************

It's a Dockery. The choices are always "Fail"/"Fail". It's
generational too. At least he's a poet.

<THWACK!>

Sorry, I think I just got smited for that last sentence.

I thought [SLAP!]

You never do, you just lie about it, Douchebag.

For over 50 years now.

Thanks for confirming, Douchebag.
******************

Thanks for lying again, Douchebag.
--
"The fact that it doesn't apply to the poem is of little consequence to
you, because your poems don't have a literary basis, because you're functionally illiterate and haven't got a clue as to what a poem is." -
Little Willie Douchebag gets another asskicking from Pendragon
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

George J. Dance wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

Yes, it's a good poem, successful on its own terms as children's verse. Wynne's
book that it came from, /For Days and Days/, is a collection of 8-line poems written for children to memorize and recite, one for each school day of the year.

It's not a great poem, but I don't limit the blog to great poems. I aim for a representtive sample of good poems, regradless of genre, form, or even skill level.

Sounds like an excellent exercise that should have contributed in elementary school.


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

George J. Dance wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

DUNCE: Yes, it's a good poem, successful on its own terms as children's verse. Wynne's
book that it came from, /For Days and Days/, is a collection of 8-line poems written for children to memorize and recite, one for each school day of the year.

MMP: It's an eleven line poem, Dunce. Have you lost most of your fingers and toes to frostbite?

DUNCE: It's not a great poem, but I don't limit the blog to great poems. I aim for a
representtive sample of good poems, regradless of genre, form, or even skill level.

MMP: Regardless of skill level... yeah, since you publish the Donkey and Stinky G, that's obvious.

But you're underestimating the value of Ms. Wynne's poem. It's not just "pretty good" or "good" -- it's excellent (a hair shy of greatness). Wynne personifies the month of February in a manner that her intended audience (school children) can immediately relate to. Like a child, February is "short... and small" at first glance, but it has many other qualities that make it "big."

She also sums up the month of February in as comprehensive a manner as possible for an eleven line poem, touching on its weather, and each of its holidays (with the exception of Groundhog Day). The lines flow easily, with the exception of the opening two, and the wholesome/traditional depiction of the holidays lends the poem a timeless air. Wynne treats the holidays as if they are wonderful annual events (as holidays are supposed to be), and celebrates the traditions (and by extension, the traditional values) behind them. This not only helps children to accept and appreciate the social customs and values of their society, but it gives the poem a deep-seated feeling of "rightness" -- like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Apart from the awkward meter of the opening lines, the poem is virtually flawless. NancyGene suggested changing "golden hearts" to "golden bows" which is a huge improvement as it brings Cupid into the equation while hinting at bows on boxes of valentine's candy. NancyGene's a genius. But these minor flaws are not what keeps the poem from reaching the level of greatness.

The poem's message is merely a variation on the old adages "You can't judge a book by its cover" and "Good things come in small packages." This is all well and good, but it's missing an edge to make it memorable. It needs something else... some element that strikes the reader with a revelatory awareness. They need to read it and say "Yes! That's what February is really about!" Wynne's respectful, traditional approach to the holidays isn't enough to raise February (the month I most detest) in my estimation -- although, her pro-February argument might have affected me more strongly as a child.

Of course presenting February in a positive light is a tough assignment. I think that Wynne needed to flip the negative qualities (the bitter cold and snow) and present them in a positive light: "snow days"/no school, building snowmen, ice skating, sledding, etc."

Here's the complete poem, for easy reference:

I'm Not Just February (1919)
by Annette Wynne

I'm not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I'm Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country's flag for you!
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send.
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I'm quite a big month, after all!


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

Yes, it's a good poem, successful on its own terms as children's verse. Wynne's book that it came from, /For Days and Days/, is a collection of 8-line poems written for children to memorize and recite, one for each school day of the year.

It's not a great poem, but I don't limit the blog to great poems. I aim for a representative sample of good poems, regardless of genre, form, or even skill level.


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

Will Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:
Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:
I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

SPAM

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

DUNCE: Yes, it's a good poem, successful on its own terms as children's verse. Wynne's
book that it came from, /For Days and Days/, is a collection of 8-line poems >> written for children to memorize and recite, one for each school day of the year.

MMP: It's an eleven line poem, Dunce. Have you lost most of your fingers and toes to frostbite?

DUNCE: It's not a great poem, but I don't limit the blog to great poems. I aim for a
representtive sample of good poems, regradless of genre, form, or even skill level.

MMP: Regardless of skill level...
But you're underestimating the value of Ms. Wynne's poem. It's not just "pretty good" or "good" -- it's excellent (a hair shy of greatness). Wynne personifies the month of February in a manner that her intended audience (school children) can immediately relate to. Like a child, February is "short... and small" at first glance, but it has many other qualities that make it "big."

She also sums up the month of February in as comprehensive a manner as possible for an eleven line poem, touching on its weather, and each of its holidays (with the exception of Groundhog Day). The lines flow easily, with the exception of the opening two, and the wholesome/traditional depiction of the holidays lends the poem a timeless air. Wynne treats the holidays as if they are wonderful annual events (as holidays are supposed to be), and celebrates the traditions (and by extension, the traditional values) behind them. This not only helps children to accept and appreciate the social customs and values of their society, but it gives the poem a deep-seated feeling of "rightness" -- like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Apart from the awkward meter of the opening lines, the poem is virtually flawless. NancyGene suggested changing "golden hearts" to "golden bows" which is a huge improvement as it brings Cupid into the equation while hinting at bows on boxes of valentine's candy. NancyGene's a genius. But these minor flaws are not what keeps the poem from reaching the level of greatness.

The poem's message is merely a variation on the old adages "You can't judge a book by its cover" and "Good things come in small packages." This is all well and good, but it's missing an edge to make it memorable. It needs something else... some element that strikes the reader with a revelatory awareness. They need to read it and say "Yes! That's what February is really about!" Wynne's respectful, traditional approach to the holidays isn't enough to raise February (the month I most detest) in my estimation -- although, her pro-February argument might have affected me more strongly as a child.

Of course presenting February in a positive light is a tough assignment. I think that Wynne needed to flip the negative qualities (the bitter cold and snow) and present them in a positive light: "snow days"/no school, building snowmen, ice skating, sledding, etc."

Here's the complete poem, for easy reference:

I'm Not Just February (1919)
by Annette Wynne

I'm not just February
With winds that blow
All day, and piled-up snow;
I'm Washington and Lincoln, too,
Who kept our country's flag for you!
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send.
Quite as a secret, to a friend.
Though I am short of days and small,
I'm quite a big month, after all!

Good critique, thanks for posting.


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


georgedance04@yahoo-dot-ca.no-spam.invalid (George J. Dance) posted:

Will Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:

I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

Yes, it's a good poem, successful on its own terms as children's verse. Wynne's
book that it came from, /For Days and Days/, is a collection of 8-line poems written for children to memorize and recite, one for each school day of the year.

It's not a great poem, but I don't limit the blog to great poems. I aim for a representative sample of good poems, regardless of genre, form, or even skill level.

The poem does have it's moments, though.

This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701770142#701770142

--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


mpsilvertone@yahoo-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (HarryLime) posted:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

Will-Dockery wrote:

HarryLime wrote:

George J. Dance wrote:

Saturday's poem on Penny's Poetry Blog:

I'm Not Just February, by Annette Wynne

[...]
I'm Valentine of airy grace "
With golden hearts and hearts of lace
And pretty cards that people send
[...]

https://gdancesbetty.blogspot.com/2026/02/im-not-just-february-annette-wynne.html

xxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxx

If you don't like it, read elsewhere. I'm sure NastyGoon has a version of the poem posted by now.

I have nothing against the poem

Agreed, the poem is pretty good

The poem is most excellent,

For once we agree.

"Most excellent" is several levels higher than "pretty good,"

Both are positive ratings.

an "A" is not the same as a "B."

Again, both are positive ratings.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Again, yes, I've written poetry for over fifty years now.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772564804- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Again, yes, I've written poetry for over fifty years now.

Thanks for admitting to 50 years of failure and waste.
--
"The fact that it doesn't apply to the poem is of little consequence to
you, because your poems don't have a literary basis, because you're functionally illiterate and haven't got a clue as to what a poem is." -
Little Willie Douchebag gets another asskicking from Pendragon
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772564804- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Again, yes, I've written poetry for over fifty years now.

Thanks for admitting to 50 years xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Your jealousy is noted and snipped, Kevin.
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.arts.poetry.comments


Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

Will Dockery <user3274@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote in news:1772564804- 3274@newsgrouper.org:

Cujo DeSockpuppet <cujo@petitmorte.net> posted:

[...]

At least he's a poet.

Again, yes, I've written poetry for over fifty years now.

Thanks

You're welcome.

EfyA
--
Poetry and songs of Will Dockery:
https://www.reverbnation.com/willdockery
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2