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E
Entend2u
Feb 04, 2022 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

THE ASTER RISK

                                            The asterisk rates
                                           a stare; some tears.

                                 As petals fall, what letters hide?

                                                        **
                                                          *
                                                      ***
                                                       **
                                                         *
                                                       **
                                                         ***
                                                       *
                                                       **
                                                        ?
 

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I wrote this poem (which may be a Haiku) in amused frustration that newspapers and magazines often substitute asterisks for letters in words that are alleged to offend people. Anyone who knows the word will read it in their mind anyway so is unlikely to be offended and anyone who doesn't should not be barred from enjoying the richness of the English (and any other) language - particularly the word f**k which is so versatile grammatically. I heard the most graphical use of this word when I was at work one day standing next to the operator of a machine which promptly blew up in our faces. His immediate response was to say "that f**king f**ker's f**king f**ked" . I couldn't have put it better myself. By the way I am using asterisks as I don't know what the policy is on Neopoet but it I don't mind using asterisks so it doesn't matter to me.

Style/Type: Structured: Eastern

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Not actively editing

About the Author

Country/Region: England

More from this author

Comments

Geezer

Geezer

3 years 5 months ago

While it's not...

a common thing to see this word on Neo. it is not a taboo thing either. I don't think that it even falls under the explicit rule
either. There may be someone who objects, but if they do, it is of no real consequence. I'm not sure of the intended words spelled by the asterisks or the letters they are intended to replace but found the story behind them humorous. ~ Geezer.
.

E

Entend2u

3 years 5 months ago

Thanks Geezer

Thanks Geezer
The asterisks are the petals falling from the Aster.

Geezer

Geezer

3 years 5 months ago

I would imagine...

that if you hadn't told me, I would never have thought it! Of course, I don't spend a lot of time getting that deeply into a poem,
and analyzing it to that extent. ~ Geezer.
.

Breakinglogic

Breakinglogic

3 years 5 months ago

Entend2u,

Entend2u,

The title really earned the click.

I appreciate the formatting and details in your poem.
While I need some convincing of the connection between flowers, or their petals, and your topic, I do enjoy the word play of aster-risk! The title feels very high-stakes:)

Do I like anagrams? Yes, I like anagrams! It seems your message may be to give the ASTERisk A REST! :D

Overall, I really enjoyed!

E

Entend2u

3 years 5 months ago

Hi Raffy

Hi Raffy
"Give the Aster Risk arrest!" - love it. Just one last word - when I realised that "aster" had some useful anagrams and given that I was attempting a Haiku I resolved that I had to use the anagrams. This was good because it meant I kept the poem really tight and confined.

Another last word - I have been trying for years to write an acrostic entitled "A Cross Stick To Beat Me With" and, sure enough, it has beaten me every time. Still trying.
Will