Nicholas Monson4 Dec 2002

Dear Limness,

Thank you for your reply to my comments. Thank you also for introducing "quietus" to me. I would still contend it is the wrong choice of word because while the end of relationship was a quietus for him, it was not for you in any sense of the word (there appear to be two). Hell, you are in agony for the love of him. Quietus is what you need, not what you have. Secondly my other difficulty is that the word is too obscure, save for the most erudite of readers. In a poem which is so touching and well written do you really want your readers to be scrambling for the dictionary? It breaks the spell.

As to the audience you address, I find it is better to stick to one audience at a time, though having said that I am guilty myself (quite unnecessarily) in my submission Tribute to A Friend, which is written in the manner of Hilaire belloc. I am a new member of this poet's circle and I have only just submitted three poems yesterday. My others are Hattie and Party Mugging (AAgain). Please be so kind as to have a peek. Best wishes. NB You are very good.