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David L. Davis's avatar

Just from reading the poem alone. I would title it "Sought Eros, Ignored Pragma, then chose Philautia over both." Using Greek words to describe the different types of loves embolden in the verse. (I read it thrice...thus this is how it read to me.)

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Phillip Carter's avatar

Thanks David, that's a very intelligent dive into the contents of that particular poem. I'm still wondering what audience to target with the whole book, as this is one of the tamer poems. I want to give people something silly, or with a pun, for the cover. I find concealing the cleverness a bit helps people pick a book up (it's why I've stopped pointing out that WHO BUILT THE HUMANS? is more than a straightforward story collection).

I do like your title, perhaps could work for one of the serious books (I sometimes forget I am also an accomplished serious poet, in 2024 I should have two serious poetry books out).

You've uncovered themes in the poem that I didn't reflect on too much, those themes are definitely there but I often play down the stuff under the surface so as not to spook people at open mics, so thank you for reminding me of it!

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David L. Davis's avatar

Hi Phillip thanks for the quick reply.

How about simply using, "Thoughts so Deep they may Drown You!" or something along those lines.

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Ian Cummings's avatar

If you are anywhere near Swindon, have a word with Clive Osman. He is aBrummie exile who, with Nick Lurvell, founded Ooh, Beehive, based at the Beehive pub in Swindon. During Covidd it went online. It is generally performance poetry, but does include a lot of funny stuff. Clives poem where he acccidentally transposed B and P is hilarious.

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Phillip Carter's avatar

I'm in Manchester but if you know Clive, tell him that we've heard of him here!

I do want to return to the open mics eventually, once I've finished this self-imposed exile, so if I'm down there sometime I'll check it out

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