Hey, I love his stuff! A friend of mine once commented that when Bob Dylan sings out of tune, at least he sounds charming, but Leonard Cohen out of tune is just irritating. :) Well, Leonard Cohen's singing (if it can be called that) has inspired tons of comments, but his lyrics are very interesting, sometimes very poignant, though often hard to understand, and some of his imagery has flashes of absolute brilliance. (my opinion only) Well, well! Who would have ever thought... Incidentally, the first four stanzas of my poem 'No Kaddish for the Bourgeouise' in my gallery, were actually a song I'd written long ago inspired by Cohen. Noone liked it because I tried to sing like him :) I would say that i think lyricists are writers. Maybe I'm saying this because I write songs myself and am currently part of a forum working on this to convey truth through music. Songwriting is really a far more profound art than is often understood. Thanks for the article, Jon. I was very interested and intrigued.

AH! The light dawned. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! That's me and kicking myself. I just noticed that the line 'A picture's worth a thousand words' is in italics and obviously is a quote. Followed then by 'Bah! Humbug!' is perfectly in context. In fact, the subtle aspersion cast is delightful, and causes the Writers' forum to hold its own Oh! so well. :) How on earth did I not notice it? Must be post-modem trauma.. This is matter to write a funny poem about. Hm! Dialyn, you're right, it was in context, and there's no need to apologize-I mentioned it wasn't anything personal, and I certainly wasn't offended. :) Thank you kindly anyway; you must be the binder-upper of wounds around here. (smile) Thanks others for the storm of replies.:) Methinks, my mundane point was a storm in a tea cup. I'm sure everyone's writing up a storm for April's challenge. :D

Well, at the risk of being obtuse, I think that's exactly what I'm trying to convey-the power of words. One word's worth a thousand pictures, no matter how well painted, because it sparks off the imagination and there is no limit to imagination, versus one picture's worth a thousand words because a picture says it so much better than words. There's nothing personal here-it's just my interest in words and their shades of interpretation. :)

Thanks Dialyn again for 'strong meat'. :) Much appreciated.

Which entry?

I don't believe this!! Thank you so much! :D Congrats Summer! I've messaged you about the theme. Garblesnix, salute to you of the acute pen. I loved your story. Meanwhile I mourn the death of my modem..weep

Thank you Di! Your advice has been one of the most significant things for me this year. I owe you much and will not forget. Grace and Peace And fair winds as well Follow thee.

That was VERY good sense. Only a fool would disregard what you've written. I have a feeling that these words will come back to me oftener than I think, to good use. Thank you so much again. It gives me an anchor point, and a way to orient how I interact here. :)

Well, thank you so much, D. That's a comfort. I must confess that I've sometimes felt very out of my depth in the galleries. I feel sometimes as though the only common thing is the language, and because of the difference of worlds, I've not been able to write from the heart, except occasionally. These abbreviations make me feel as though I'm gate-crashing. :) And is it my imagination, but it seems to me that the darker the thought, the more it is preferred. This has been bothering me, but I don't know whether it's 'proper' to ask this question. Is there a place for 'normalcy'? Actually what's normal, anyway? All writing is valid because all hearts are valid. But what does one do when one feels like an anachronism? :) Sorry again for the intensity. You've been kind enough to encourage my Haikus. Would you be kind one more time, and I won't ask any more questions.:)

AHHH!!! So that's it! Thank you! Thank you! (weeps tears of relief) And does LMAO mean something similar? I'm so sorry asking these stupid questions, but sometimes a different culture can be like a different planet...:[

My God! and people complain about my puns! :) Maybe they're feverishly writing :)

Caprice and whimsy, Rain and sun, and hailstorms too; Colour me Spring hue.

Good to hear that! Garblesnix, I knew you wielded an acute pen. From my side, I'm REALLY GLAD you made it. Hope to read LOTS more from you! :)

Wow guys! Dee, that was really good! Netsia, I really like that! Dee, it wasn't your Haiku :) Life's a bit dark at times. Not to worry. Your Haiku was a lifter :) Life beckons, Now unfrozen rush; Come hither! Let me dive into Sun-spangled, windy spaces When weariness comes Hark! It changeth not Though harshness pull asunder Springsong singeth true

I was wondering why a bell was ringing. Of course! I'd read some books of hers when I was much younger. I wish I could remember which ones i read, but I remember liking what I read. Was there a book with a character named Ortu? Strange, one wakes up with a start to realise that time's passing, people're passing, and we'll pass sometime. And writing has changed MUCH since her day. A look at the gallery makes that clear! :) And all this time I had been thinking that she was a man. Does anything ever last? Not opinions.. :) I wonder if this will inspire a philosophical Spring Haiku?