Southville Hop (I.P.)

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 01 Mar 2014
  • 4178 reads
12 comments
 

In Southville the main crop is hop.
Its flowers are used to make beer,
a beverage you won’t find in a shop
as it is drunk right away over here.

It’s the hops that give it its flavour
but anyone who is worth his salt
knows that he’ll be out of favour
should he choose to omit the malt.

It isn’t light and it is just as risky
as imbibing that other strong brew,
the one that we’ve labelled whisky
that we find very hard to eschew.

Sometimes, when we drink a shot,
a chaser is not out of the question;
we fool ourselves that it isn’t a lot
and reject any other suggestion.

© Luigi Pagano 2014

 

Certificate U
Poem
Are you being versed?
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I enjoy your searching out of unobtrusive but clever rhymes. When used well they are as important as rhythm in helping the flow and the melody of the reading, arent they? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

There are many factors that make a poem excel, one of which, as you rightly say, is the choice of good rhymes. Rhymed poetry is considered old fashioned by some who prefer blank verses but whatever the style, or format, a poem for me has to have originality as well as rhythm. A touch of humour sometimes helps. In the end it's the readers' judgement that gives it the mark of approval. Mind you, I have read some excellent poems that have been neglected both in hits and 'cherries' whilst others, quite bland, were given recognition. The popularity of certain authors may influence the response given. My philosophy is to carry on regardless. It is always nice to hear from you, Rhiannon, and thank you heartily for your comment.

Luigi smiley 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Hi Luigi. I really enjoyed this one, such good rhyming as Rhiannon said. Being a lover of rhymed poetry, I do so agree with your remarks; rhyming poetry generally seems to be the poor relation these days and sometimes I feel almost apologetic for doing it!  You however are a true master of the genre, and I hope you will continue to produce it.  I will if you will!

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You can depend on me to keep producing the kind of poetry that I do, mostly rhymed. My only hope is that people appreciate it like you have done, Linda, and for that I am truly grateful. The number of hits and responses is the only yardstick by which we can measure the popularity of our input but in our heart we know its real worth.

Kind regards, Luigi

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Indeed, Luigi, indeed.  I second all you've said, with knobs onsmiley

Seriously though, you know how highly I regard your wordmanship, and your skill only seems to increase with maturity, like a fine wine...or Southville Hop, of course.

Very much enjoyed.

Tina xxx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I am thoroughly inebriated, dear Tina, not from the Hopville brew but by your fulsome praise. Hic.

Luigi wink

 

Submitted by Luke Neima on

Love this IP, Luigi! Leaves me feeling a bit thirsty...

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Easily solved, Luke. Have a double on me. Cheers!

Luigi

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello Luigi,

This one I especially liked because as a childl I used to go hop picking and i loved it providing no one expected me to pick.  I just loved mooching about on the farm as we lived in London.

I love rhyming poetry too that is why I love Linda's poems.  However, I also love poems with great imagery as with Tina's  work..

But I think I'm going to love your poems as much for their humour if this and  your book are anything to go by. 

Moya

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I never went hop picking, Moya, but I often took my daughters strawberry picking on 'pick-your-own' farms. They were well behaved and it wasn't until I gave them permission to sample the fruit, while filling the baskets, that they did so.

As you already know I experiment with various forms but lately I have been producing rhymed poems and, as I said to Linda, will continue to do so. Humour is more my style but not angst.

Luigi

 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

My mum and her family (from Bermondsey) used to go hop picking in Kent.  She hated it.  Her Mum didn't enjoy it either - she used to say 'You went hopping and came back jumping@ - from fleas in case you're wondering!  And thanks Luigi for the kind mention!

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I can see why your mum was hopping mad, Linda. There is nothing like performing a task that one doesn't enjoy to put one off for life by that particular chore.

Best, Luigi