I have pointed this question in your direction because I am confident
that poetry appreciation is among the tools in your armoury.

Please refer to Question 250133 and kindly advise me which of the
various versifications pleaseth thee the most.

I’m off the British Library this morning and then, in the afternoon,
round to a place that was clued in Saturday’s Times Crossword thus:

“Legal society met in poet’s local” (5,3)

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Request for Question Clarification by jem-ga on 01 Sep 2003 02:45 PDT

Greetings and salutations!!  Hurrah - what a great way to start a
Monday on Google Answers :)

Am on the case....handyman popping in to sort out electrics (see my
comment left at Question ID: 244975 re: "disturbing the magic") and
then poetry judging shall begin with undivided attention.

“Legal society met in poet’s local” (5,3) - ahh, a cryptic crossword
genius in our midst.....again, undivided attention (with sufficient
ingestion of caffeine) shall no doubt hold me in good stead....

:)jem-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by jem-ga on 01 Sep 2003 03:01 PDT

aah...perhaps more concise than cryptic (phew! my favourite kind -
LOL!)..have a good time at Gray's Inn this afternoon ;) jem-ga

p.s. the wine cellar at Lincoln's is much better.....she says
cryptically....

Hello Bryan :)

Hope you had a productive visit at the British Library this morning. 
The British Library's website has an exquisite online exhibition of
the Lindsfarne Gospels at:

http://www.bl.uk/whatson/exhibitions/lindisfarne/ttp.html

Click on either the "broadband spec" or "narrowband spec" link, wait
for the page to load via Macromedia Shockware (it's worth the wait)
and there you have it (complete with audio, text panes and magnifying
glass - see instructions at link listed above)!  The colours,
caligraphy and artwork is just amazing.

Now, onto limeric judging.....how can I possibly pick one above all
the others?!?  They were all fantastic - each and every one of them. 
This is just an inkling of how talented and clever our GA researchers
and regular commentators are.

I hope you don't mind but I am going to take the liberty of selecting
a few of my favs (with reasons for selection).

In no particular order of preference:

"I do love the bagpipes!" Gem said. 
"Do you think I could take them to bed? 
Would it make me a strumpet 
Like Rox with her trumpet? 
Or just a Pulitzer instead?" 
-journalist-ga

I just loved the spontanaeity, flow and clever word play of this one -
it immediately bought a giggle to my lips and is still playing through
my mind as I type this answer. I've also had the privilege of seeing
some of journalist's other creative endeavours (via GA, etc) and
always enjoy her style.

"A Gem of a lass, and well-built, 
Loved the bagpipes without feeling guilt. 
There is no expertise 
That can cure this disease: 
As the Scots would say, it must be kilt."
-pinkfreud-ga

What can I say?  To say that Pink has a way with words is an
understatement.  To convey such sharp wit and cleverness in such a
small amount of typespace gets my vote everytime.

"Gem went roaming in the gloaming by the bonny banks of Clyde 
She took a handsome piper and kept him close beside 
She wanted woo'd with grace notes 
But the piper sowed his wild oats 
She'd be better with a trombonist who keeps his hands upon his slide"
-owain-ga

Because I'm a huge fan of the "Carry On" films - need I say more! :) 

Honourable mention:

"If this can't be cured 
By a clever limerick 
Perhaps try haiku"
-boquinha-ga

Even in its traditional Japanese form, haiku is difficult. In English,
(taking variation of length of syllables into account), boquinha's
offering is a true triumph! (Using no more than 17 syllables,
arranging these in lines of 5-7-5 syllables, avoiding similes and
metaphors, retaining Japanese values of lightness and simplicity - see
http://home.clara.net/pka/haiku/haiku.htm
and http://www.ahapoetry.com/keirule.htm for more on this point)

What fun - I really enjoyed the "background research" to this
question. Thanks Bryan!

:) jem-ga

p.s. what with it being the last weekend of the Edinburgh festival, I
certainly did get my fill of bagpipes (and fireworks, too)!  The irony
is that I've returned to London with a suspected ear infection!!!

p.p.s.  currently working through "Times 2 Jumbo Crossword Book 1" -
see it at:
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/go.asp?ISBN=0007122675&DB=220 
and also under a slightly different cover at: 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0007122675/qid%3D/202-4799892-7018255

Enough anagrams, quasi-cryptic clues and rhyming slang to make you
feel clever without the agony of actually having to do a cryptic
crossword - joy!

Great stuff, Jem, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your answer.

Yes, it was Gray's Inn ... Well spotted.

Regarding Crosswords, I only buy The Times on Saturdays, my favourites
are in the Guardian which is available on-line. (By subscription)

Hope your ear infection soon clears ... It sounds as though it could
be painful.

A couple of cups of Rose Pouchong tea might be helpful.

Kindest regards

Bryan

Hi Bryan :)

Many thanks for the 5***** and the tip.  As always, a genuine
pleasure.

Thanks too for the well wishes re: ear infection :)  No pain at
present so am assuming it is clearing up as quickly as it started.

Rose Pouchong fully stocked and at the ready :)  

Kind regards
jem-ga :)

An honorable mention and "a true triumph!" Woo-hoo! Thank you gem
(ahem, Jem) and thank you probono! Fun post!