Dear Bob,
 Many thanks. I love riddles, and the way many of them call for lateral
and/or poetic thnking. The AS Exeter book has has some lovely ones, stuffed
with double entendre.
I also love cryptic crosswords, and get The Times for the daily crossword,
which I think is the best - relying on wit in the clues, rather than using
obscure words in the grid.
Kind regards,
             grasshopper

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Cooper" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: [THE-WORKS] New sub: Riddle


> Hi Grasshopper,
> I like the poem - and like it all the more now I've been told what it's
> about! Ah, riddles!!!! Even the word creates anguish for me! (If I ever
hire
> a psychotherapist I'll ask why I can't get on with them...).
> Anyway, this particular riddle (that I feel happier about - perhaps
because
> I now know the answer!
> there's some delightful turns of phrase - a longboat like beauty, ogling
the
> moon, a bat hunched in the hand (yeh!).
> The form and structure of the piece work really well, too - and the way
the
> letters of the answer are woven in - and the assured composure of tone in
> clinching last couplet... H'm do you compile crosswords for the Guardian
by
> any chance? (Not that you'd probably admit it - there's probably many who
> are wishing, right now, they could do horrible things to the person who
set
> the clues!).
> Bob
>
>
>
> >From: grasshopper <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: New sub: Riddle
> >Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 22:15:01 +0100
> >
> >            Riddle
> >
> >When I was a swan my neck
> >was a proud curve, yes;
> >I braved the wind and water
> >and launched beauty,
> >like a longship on the flood.
> >
> >When I was a dog, I ate warm grass
> >from the bellies of my prey,
> >felt packed muscles under pelt.
> >I ogled the moon and howled.
> >Her face gave me my clue.
> >
> >When I was a bat, I hung
> >through light and flew the straits
> >of night. Hunched in your hand
> >I blink blearily at you,
> >my grounded body curved.
> >
> >When I was a snake
> >I waited in the grass
> >until I found the right angle
> >0f trajectory. Look,
> >I begin to turn into leather.
> >
> >When these creatures are combined
> >you will find my whole in mind.
> >
> >                       grasshopper
>
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