Name: 800 words of heaven (Signed) · Date: 03 Dec 2018 07:37 PM · For: Ignis fatuus

Hey, Alexis! I have battled a Niffler or two to procure this gift review, on behalf of Kaitlin/TreacleTart.

 

Advisory: I have no idea what poetry actually is, so this review will, alas, not contain any sort of useful praise or criticism. But I’m trying to read more of it, so here I am!

 

This really reminded me of the Greek notions of what a muse is. Your muse was as mischievous as a nymph! My muse has gone on a working holiday to Europe, I think. It doesn’t even have the time to send me a postcard :P This was a really fun poem to read, honestly. It felt so playful and a touch sexy, which I enjoyed. There was also this faint undertone of frustration with the muse which is just so true. I relate to that aspect a lot.

 

Great poem, Alexis! Hopefully you’ll see me lurking around your AP a little more in the coming weeks!

 

Xx 800

Author's Response:

Hey 800! Welcome to my AP!

Advisory: I'm equally clueless when it comes to poetry, so you're not alone!

Seriously, I rarely write poetry because it's like jumping into a dark void - I have no idea quite where I'm going to land. But you're right - my muse is capricious and flighty. She disappears for ages and then out of nowhere drops a story in my lap. It can be frustrating and unpredictable, like catching lightning in a bottle.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Alexis

Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 17 Dec 2017 03:36 PM · For: Ignis fatuus

I searched up what "ignis fatuus" is and found out that it meant will o' the wisp, which makes so much sense in the context of the poem. Thank you for making me look up a new term, because this word is so fascinating. How did you even know about it?

 

I love love love this poem so much. I think it's my favorite of all of yours (and I loved The Raven and the Dove a lot too), simply because of how clever it is. The first three stanzas follow a fairly busy pattern; first line, the muse plays around; second line, the second line, two words that describe her actions; the third line, a further elaboration; the fourth line (this is my favorite), a noun that describes the muse; the fifth line, the effect the muse has on him.

 

But my favorite part is the "Then silence." Because here we feel that silence. The poem suddenly quiets down. And that's just so incredible, that you managed to do that.

Name: M C Crocker (Signed) · Date: 10 Dec 2017 09:21 AM · For: Ignis fatuus

Alexis!  My love!

 

Okay, so I've told you personally that I like your poetry but it is high time I review it nice and proper! 

 

I love how the muse dances and flits about ever teasing and never to be truly captured.  You have perfectly depicted how a muse works and operates and in such lovely and poetic words.  The story crafted by the poem makes me smile particularly the end where it seems that the muse returns and beckons the writer once more.  She is much like a flighty spite (which is what I imagine) but there is also a mix of her being like a siren with her beckoning call which is near impossible to resist (though why one would truly resist her I do not know).

 

Overall, lovely job and as always I love what you write!

Name: Dojh167 (Signed) · Date: 03 Dec 2017 08:19 PM · For: Ignis fatuus

Oooh I like this a lot! (surprise, surprise)

 

I love the short lines and the rhythm you create with them - you definitely create a feeling of flightiness. A think a hummingbird is a great analogy for a muse, and I had never thought of that before! It really can be there one minute and gone the next, and in an intense hyperactive way that certainly reminds me of a hummingbird now that you say it!

 

The with “she murmurs during the night /crooning, revealing,” the muse seems to take on a bit of a different personality - quiet and smooth, as opposed to the darting immediacy of the hummingbird. It’s certainly true that muses can have many moods and personalities!

 

Ugh the silence/waiting. The most painful part of the muse/writer relationship! XD

 

I have to admit, I was a little jealous at the “I cannot resist her call.” I personally feel like an irresponsible writer for all the times I ignored an active muse.

 

This was really nicely written, and I think very relatable for everyone at hpft!

 

Sam.

Name: The Basilisk (Anonymous) · Date: 24 Aug 2017 08:47 PM · For: Ignis fatuus

Alexis, my dear! 

It is I, The Basilisk, with another review for the Pass It Along Challenge! You are on quite the roll with the poetry. I love this one just as much as the previous two! You truly have a talent with poetry.

 

I'm not sure if you meant it this way, but to me this read almost as one lover talking about another until the end. Then at the last moment I realized it could also be a person talking about death and the process of dying. It was rather intriguing how it sort of shifted. 

 

I also appreciated that you chose to write free verse for this particular poem as your previous two were rhyming. You are quite the versatile poet. 

 

I'll be carrying on with more gifts soon! 

 

The Basilisk