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701 Public Reviews Given
718 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
The purpose of my reviews is always to be as helpful as possible. I can't promise that I'll like what you have written or that you'll like what I have to say, but I try to be respectful and encouraging as well as critical.
I'm good at...
Unless otherwise requested, I'm picky (grammar, cliches, and meter in poetry). Characters and writing style take a lot to impress me.
Favorite Genres
Sci-fi (apocalypse, post-apocalypse, dystopian, zombie), mystery, war, inspirational, historical fiction, Christian, non-fiction, contemporary, drama, comedy
Favorite Item Types
Poetry, short stories, non-fiction, novels
I will not review...
Erotica, gay/lesbian, fan-fiction
Public Reviews
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76
76
Review of I am FREE  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
*Waterdrop* Hi TheInkwell Author IconMail Icon *Smile* I found your poem on the Newbie Works  Open in new Window. list, and I’m here with a review.

*Earth* Overall:

Wow, I love the message of your poem! *Delight* Particularly the final stanza stands out. There is some rich imagery in there, and some profound arguments. True freedom is in actually being yourself. I had never thought of it from that angle before, so thank you for challenging my often flat and one-dimensional view of freedom.

Freedom isn’t always lack of outside oppression. Sometimes it’s lack of inside oppression.

It’s just sitting back and being ourselves, not taking on social norms and trying to fit in.

This is how we can use our freedom. Be individual.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

Sometimes the switches between “we” and “I” are confusing, especially in the last stanza: lines 2-5 seem to be addressing an external being (i.e. “you”, the person reading the poem), yet line 6 changes POV to “Let me prove...”

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

Cipher through the puzzles locking away my truth. *Right* Beautiful imagery! I instantly imagine vaults, labyrinths and prisons.
Fight my internal angel and demon to expose my external human. *Right* This line really hit me, with the contrasts between “internal” and “external”, and the angel, demon and human. We’re all schizophrenic in our own way, I guess. *Smile* This line appealed to me immensely, and set the stage well for the last three lines, drawing back the sling for the stone.
*Moon* Conclusion:

Thank you for sharing your poem. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing it, and I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work! *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
77
77
Review of Solitude  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
*Waterdrop* Hi Gialla Alessia Author IconMail Icon *Smile* I found your poem on the Newbie Works  Open in new Window. list, and I’m here with a review.

*Earth* Overall:

A short free verse poem about true loneliness and its ingredients. It’s an interesting look at solitude. I like to be alone, but I realise it’s not healthy to be alone all the time. I am reminded that sometimes when we think we have everything we actually have nothing at all, and vice versa. Freedom and safety are good, but not completely. As a person who is fond of thrill, risk and danger, I like the message of your poem. Freedom and safety are good to have on your side, but sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone and do things and go places.

Solitude is a replacement, mirror and mask of loneliness.

I love solitude, but I couldn’t stand being alone my whole life, not even for an extended period of time. Adventure and fellowship with humanity are basic necessities of life!

*Dialog* Suggestions:

The full stop at the end of each line makes the poem feel blocky. It’s good to use punctuation for effect, but too much can drag your poem down. If you try reading your poem as a sentence, it doesn’t make sense. Try removing punctuation wherever possible, and replacing some of those full stops with more variety in punctuation, i.e. Here in my solitude
I’m safe,
I’m free.
etc.

I noticed two typos:

*Right* “loose” should be “lose”.

*Right* “every thing” should be “everything”.

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

And I've lost every thing.
But did I have anything in the first place?
*Right* I like the thought process here. *Thumbsup*

*Moon* Conclusion:

Thank you for sharing your poem. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing it, and I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work! *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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78
78
Review of I have felt  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
*Waterdrop* Hi mitchmaxx Author IconMail Icon *Smile* I found your poem on the Newbie Works  Open in new Window. list, and I'm here with a review.

*Earth* Overall:

The lines wander in long sentences across the page, giving the poem a thoughtful and lingering tone, like prose. In a sad but calm mood as you tumble your thoughts out onto the page, you describe life and its pains and joys, and how often one can eclipse the other. Life can seem so meaningless at times, but that is what life is, and the poet seems to embrace that fate. Sometimes experience isn’t what we expect, and it only heaps up sorrow on sorrow; the years make us old and wise, and that first love and enthusiasm for life which we embraced in our youth soon fades away.

It reminds me of a quote from Jane Eyre, when Mr. Rochester says to Adele: “The world is very overrated.”

The poem is in free form, with a-a-b-b-c-c-(c)-c rhyming, with good use of poetic conventions such as metaphor and simile, and roams methodically through the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, and in the last line sums up the poet’s thoughts of life as a journey, a fate, a document that has already been filed.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

Some work on the punctuation and flow of the piece would improve it. There are a lot of commas, which falter the rhythm and make it difficult to read grammatically.

As much as I like the single lines, I think that for the reader’s sake and to make your poem clearer and easier to read you should split each line into two lines. Each couplet would then contain a single thought with a small break in between to give us more time to think about it, as well as helping with the flow.

I have seen too many things to be naive, to be a child, to be the one *Right* Place full stop after “one”. Also, I’m slightly confused about the identity of the “one”. Who or what are you referring to?

I have heard to many screams, they rip my heart, they rip my soul, I become undone. *Right* “to” should be “too”. Replace comma after “screams” with hyphen (–) or colon (:).

I have felt the pain, the torture of this life, the screams of mother, burying a child. *Right* Replace comma after “life” with semicolon (;). The word “screams” seems out of place, since you can’t feel a sound. *Smile* It is also repeating a word from the previous line.

I have tasted the soul, of that one true love, of that one true heart, it tasted so mild. *Right* Replace comma after “heart” with period, hyphen or colon.

I have smelled, the flower that is called love, it smelled just like crushed rose petal piles. *Right* Remove comma after “smelled”; Replace comma after “love” with period.

I am engulfed in this life, this journey, this fate, I will put this back, it has already been filed. *Right* Replace comma after “fate” with period. Replace the comma after “back” with a colon or hyphen, or alternatively, after “back”, place “for” or “because”.

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

I am engulfed in this life, this journey, this fate, I will put this back, it has already been filed. *Right* For a closing line, it’s perfect – slightly shocking, beautiful, memorable and haunting. I love it. *Star*

*Moon* Conclusion:

Thank you for sharing your poem. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing it, and I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work! *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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79
79
Review of Whispers  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
*Waterdrop* Hi S. L. Stiles Author IconMail Icon *Smile* I found your poem on the Newbie Works  Open in new Window. list.

*Earth* Overall:

A touching tribute to your grandfather, voicing your admiration for his life and character as you walk along a forest trail and listen to the trees. It sounds like he was a wonderful man, I am sorry that he passed away suddenly. I'm sure he would have been honoured to receive this beautiful poem.

The poem consists of classic four-line stanzas with aabb rhyming, contains a powerful use of personification and employs the senses strongly.

I like the different personalities you give to the trees: the pines are swaying sadly, the oaks are painting, the maples cry, the evergreen frowns. Each seems to have its own special relation to the poem and your grandfather. It seems to imply that he had a personal connection with the trees, as if he was an arbourist or farmer or other forest worker. Even after death his spirit lives on through the legacy he left behind.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

Some of the lines don't flow as well as others, contain awkward wording or are grammatically incorrect. I will try to point them out below, and indicate ways of improving them.

The pines, they sadly sway the same, *Right* The alliteration in this line is slightly tongue-twisting: "sadly sway" is difficult to read. Perhaps if you switched them around then it would be easier to read.

Your voice echoing through the trees, *Right* As a sentence, it is incorrect: "echoing" should be "echoes". Otherwise, replace the full stop at the end of the previous line with a semicolon.

The oaks bear an open pallet to etch, *Right* "etch" is a verb, so it needs a subject/noun to follow. The next line starts with "years of love and laughter", and would work as the subject for the previous line, except that "I sketch" (another verb) follows.

Your scent airing amongst the leaves, *Right* "amongst" is just a more complicated way of saying "among". I think "among" would fit better here, and it would flow better.

in me you loved, always believed. *Right* As a sentence you are saying that he loved in you, which doesn't make sense. Aside from grammar, I think there are better ways of putting this, i.e. in me you always believed or you loved me, and in me believed.

Your laughter fills the branches end, *Right* "end" seems thrown onto the end of the line for the sake of rhyme. To make grammatical sense, add an apostrophe after "branches" to make it possessive.

as the face of the mourning does appear. *Right* Remove "does" and replace "appear" with "appears".

Your pride it resonates through the air, *Right* Remove "it".

promoting support, you always cared. *Right* I don't understand "promoting support". It's an unusual word choice.

Grandpa I’ll miss you every single day, *Right* Place comma after "Grandpa", since you are addressing him directly.

I know when I walk through the forest trail, / the pines, oaks and maples, will tell our tale. *Right* These are wonderful closing lines, but they're difficult to read because of the punctuation. (Also, "along" might be better than "through".) For clarity in reading, try this: I know this when I walk along the forest trail: / the pines, oaks and maples will tell our tale.

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

years of love and laughter I sketch. *Right* This line in particular portrays a special relationship with your grandpa, and carries the message of your poem very well. *Heart*

as the face of the mourning does appear. *Right* I like the double-meaning of "mourning" and "morning". :-[

the pines, oaks and maples, will tell our tale. *Right* A line that softly closes the poem with sweetly haunting sorrow.

*Moon* Conclusion:

Thank you for sharing your poem. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing it, and I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work! *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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80
80
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (5.0)
*Waterdrop* Hi Stormfoedt Author IconMail Icon *Smile* Welcome to Writing.Com! I see you're new around here. I hope you enjoy your time on this creative and inspiring site as much as I have. I am here with a review of your item "We are those without SoulsOpen in new Window., which I found on the Read A Newbie  Open in new Window. page.

*Earth* Overall:

This item contains a poem and an introduction or outline to a fantasy novel. The poem in itself is 5-star, with perfect rhythm, rhyme, imagery and suspense. I love the final stanza, particularly the last two lines. They are very ominous.

The introduction/outline is very clear. You describe each detail of entering the White City and what happens to those who go there, in a second person perspective, which makes it unique and personal, and adds that extra element of suspense as the reader must invest in the story. The prose flows very smoothly, almost like poetry. You seem to breathe it so naturally! *Delight*

The Soulless are frightening, because they are a kind of distorted beauty, something that appears good but is totally evil at its core. I am curious to know what happens to the slaves. Surely they don’t just become slaves? There must be something much worse...

It appears that you have given a lot of attention to laying the foundation of your world, and I encourage you to work on it further and develop it into a novel. I can certainly see a bestseller in the making!

*Dialog* Suggestions:

Write the novel! *Smile* I am eager to meet your hero, to find out who or what exactly the Soulless are, what they do and what threat they pose to the world.

I have no other suggestions. Your grammar is excellent and I can tell that you have paid a lot of attention to detail in your descriptions. Well done! *Thumbsup*

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

We are Soulless and you lingered.
You will never leave again.


Ooh, they give me the shivers. *Shock*

*Moon* Conclusion:

I very much enjoyed reading and reviewing your work, and I would love to read the novel. Let me know when you upload the first chapters! *Smile* *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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81
81
Review of Maybe.  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
*Waterdrop* Hi Mash Author IconMail Icon *Smile* Welcome to Writing.Com! I see you're new around here. I hope you enjoy your time on this creative and inspiring site as much as I have. I am here with a review of your poem "Maybe.Open in new Window., which I found on the Read A Newbie  Open in new Window. page.

*Earth* Overall:

Wow! This poem has some incredibly vivid lines, as it questions the true meaning of concepts we think we understand. Using powerful imagery you tell of a man who feels like he must give up, but maybe, just maybe, he will carry on.

The ambiguity and change gave this poem movement, and really stirred me. Nothing is clear and defined, from the structure to the words for which you give new (and slightly pessimistic!) definitions. A clear meter doesn’t exist, but I like it this way. The poem flows by itself, regardless of rhythm, and suits the overall vagueness. The first stanza consists of four lines with a simple abab rhyme scheme, then the second and third stanzas change to three lines without any rhyme, and a fourth four-line stanza follows with an aabb rhyme scheme, and next another four-line stanza without rhyme (or abcb with an almost-rhyme), and finally one line.

Nothing is certain, nothing is concrete, making your poem unpredictable and completely captivating.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

hardwork *Right* should be “hard work”, since they are two words.

Hoped is nothing but stop to this madness. *Right* This sentence is confusing and I don’t think it makes sense grammatically. It should probably be Hoped is nothing but stop this madness or Hope is nothing but stop to this madness.

beserk *Right* Strange...this is the second time I have read the word “beserk” in a poem today, and I have never read it before that. *Pthb*

Maybe, however, he will a change *Right* Remove “a”.

Yesterday a madman. *Right* Replace the period with a comma for correct grammar, but this is more a matter of preference, since the period makes the reader stop for emphasis.

Forgetting, about the world, *Right* Remove comma after “forgetting”.

Maybe, he will never grow old, *Right* Remove comma after “Maybe”.

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

Hoped is nothing but stop to this madness. *Right* This really challenged my perspective of hope. I have always considered it as something new or better coming along, instead of the end of something old and/or bad.

Envisioned is a man gone beserk. *Right* So often passionate men are seen as mad. Those with vision are crazy. This line sums it up well.

He's going to see angels tonight. *Right* Does this speak of death or vision, hope or despair, triumph or defeat? It struck me out of nowhere, and it flows very nicely.

Wrap himself up, in blankets of change.
Shining like the Queen's silver throne.
*Right* Wonderful imagery. You are true to your theme, and yet constantly experimenting, pushing boundaries, exploring new paths.

*Moon* Conclusion:

Maybe, just maybe, I absolutely love your poem. *Wink* Very interesting, and philosophical, with a challenging and new perspective. I can see that you have thought this out carefully, and I have very much enjoyed reading and thinking over your poem. I hope you find my feedback useful and encouraging.

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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82
82
Review of Mirror, Mirror  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
*Waterdrop* Hi Em Anekaf Author IconMail Icon *Smile* Welcome to Writing.Com! I see you're new around here. I hope you enjoy your time on this creative and inspiring site as much as I have. I am here with a review of your poem "Mirror, MirrorOpen in new Window., which I found on the Read A Newbie  Open in new Window. page.

*Earth* Overall:

As the poet looks at herself in the mirror, she describes the physical and emotional struggle of having an eating disorder. The tone of the poem is dark and demanding, and its length portrays the pain and endlessness of the disorder, enhancing its grip on the reader with fierce words.

The poem is structured, containing 15 stanzas with 8 lines each, and a rhyme scheme of abcbddee. The form does the poem credit, and I think you made a good choice with it. There are almost two voices in the poem, with lines 7-8 of each stanza addressed to or about the mirror as it answers the poet's fears and accusations with no mercy. As an antagonist, a mirror is a fascinating choice – one only sees in it a reflection of oneself, so the antagonist is oneself, or one's external body.

Your poem is honest and hard, and you make the reader feel some of the pain that you have felt.

I have not experienced any such disorder, nor have I met anyone with it. I have epilepsy, however, so I can relate to that feeling of helplessness and the fight against being the victim in the situation.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

The rhythm is unsteady. You haven't established a strong meter at the beginning, so the whole poem feels a little unpolished and unstable. Occasionally the reader catches a glimpse of how it should be, but you need to set it in concrete. This may be easier than you think. (I think your meter wants to be 3 syllables per line in lines 1-4, then 7 syllables per line in lines 5-8.)

The word "me" is repeated 23 times, and "see" 6. I found this distracting, especially when they were rhymed twice together, and often each was on the end of a line and rhymed with something else, like "free" and "be". Try to be fresh in your rhymes, and introduce new words to give your poem more flavour.

I don't like the third stanza. The rhythm is skewed and the words don't flow together as they should, especially in lines 4-6 and 8.

Crash. Shatter. bam. *Right* "bam" should be "Bam" (capitalised because it is the beginning of a new sentence).

*Starb* Favourite Lines:

Plaster walls,
full of cracks
*Right* Excellent opening lines. I was riveted. *Thumbsup*

Now I am the mirror's toy. *Right* In this stanza the tone seems to shift, and this line punches home its point, as if thinness was a bait used by the mirror to drag you down.

God, save my soul. *Right* The desperation reaches a climax here. Often people don't call out to God for help until it is the last thing they can do. We don't like to admit that we are helpless, or ask for help, until it is too late.

Don't ask why. Ask why not. *Right* Wow! As a closing line, I was blown away. A haunting and challenging end to a turbulent poem.

*Moon* Conclusion:

Thank you for bravely sharing this personal testimony of your struggle with an eating disorder. I didn't as much "enjoy" reading it as it was good for me to read. It certainly isn't a light piece of entertainment, but you have cast a coldly beautiful light over something that is otherwise ugly, and I respect you for it.

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
83
83
Review of Walk Don't Run  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
*Sun* Hi Liam Author IconMail Icon *Smile* Here I am with the last review from the package you won in "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. I had a very difficult time choosing a final poem to review, and very reluctantly gave up the pleasure of reviewing "Prudent BehaviorOpen in new Window., and settled on this poem instead. They are very similar, and compliment each other, almost as if one is a sequel of the other.

*Earth* After reading "Walk Don't RunOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer:

From start to finish, this poem is stirring and powerful. The rhythm is perfect, the rhymes are sweet and unique, and it flows with natural ease. The voice is quietly urgent, slightly regretful and yet satisfied. You are saying, "I have lived my life, I have done well, I have made mistakes, but I am satisfied. If there is one word of advice I could give you, it is to take it slowly and enjoy each day."

What is most impacting about this poem is its incredibly personal touch. You speak honestly about your life and experiences, and the final line strikes the reader strongly with a memorable message.

*Dialog* Suggestions:

yet I no longer see and the flying of a bird *Right* Place a period or semicolon at the end of each of these lines so that the next line is easier to read.

taught myself, just how to be a man *Right* The comma is incorrect grammatically, although admittedly it makes the line easier to read.

sown many seed *Right* You have sacrificed correct grammar for rhyme here. :-[ Maybe you could just add that "s" after seed to make it correct, or slip "a" between it and "many".

I feel like the rhythm slips up a bit in the third stanza. Each line starting with "And" threw me off. Run over it with your pen of editing and watch out for stresses falling on unusual syllables.

escape me, I knew of *Right* Replace comma with " that".

*Starb* Favourites:

I love your use of rhymes within lines, i.e. to them born of my stem and realize there is a prize, etc. This gives the stanza a very lyrical touch and makes it move forward, adding suspense for the final stanza.

My favourite line is the closing line. It is beautifully stirring, and really burned to my core. Well-worded advice. You have inspired me to live for each day.

*Moon* Conclusion:

I have very much enjoyed browsing the portfolio of such a talented and clear-headed poet. You always have something to say, and you say it very well. Your ideas, philosophies and opinions of the world and its happenings have enriched and enhanced my own understanding, as well as providing a beautiful read every time I approach your work. *Thumbsup*

I am going to suffer trying to choose which poem to present with an awardicon. *Cry*

I hope you have enjoyed your pampering. Thank you for bidding on my package and supporting this community. But more than anything, thank you for sharing your beautiful poems.

Never let go of your dreams.

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
84
84
Review of Fishbones  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
*Jackolantern* Trick or Treat! *Grave*


Hi Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon *Ghost* This review comes on behalf of your Haunter at "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. :-[

*Jackolantern* Interpretation:

This poem beautifully expresses the themes of desolation, nostalgia, and loneliness. Even from the title, the reader can tell it's about a person stripped to the bare bones of life. The missed opportunity ("the train has left the station") has reduced him to shambles, mentally ("The telephone is ringing; / No ones home") and emotionally ("The television plays / But nothing's on"). He's has boarded a one-man boat named Regret. Once he boards, he's alone; lost in the vast ocean's capricious and turbulent waves. Gone -- just a memory... a footprint in the snow that the subject hated so. In the end, he'll wash up on the beach among the discarded items -- hollow ("bottles without messages"), stripped ("old fish bones"), and dying ("Bladderwrack"). Very powerful, visceral piece! The themes and imagery blended together so well!

*Witchhat* Impressions:

The first stanza reminds me of Ray Bradbury's The Long Rain. It's about a rocketship crew stranded under Venus' unforgiving rain. They have to travel to find a Sun Dome, or be trapped in a depressive state until finally drowning. The subject of this poem tries to get away from the rain -- the sorrow -- with a suitcase already packed, but there's no escape. I love the second stanza. It describes a fading away, a dissolving into nothingness. The spent tornado and the fog in the mist slowly vanish like a phantom inside the shell of a man. The first half of the third stanza drives home the subject's feelings of worthlessness. Depression rips the liveliness out of a person and leaves a sensation of loneliness, even among family members. They watch the television screen, while nothing's on. They talk to the faces of their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, but nothing's left inside to talk to.

*Ghost* Overall:

This poem is awesome. It can be applied to the dark mental states that people suffer through every day. Great job!


A treat from your Haunter... *Smirk*

*Jackolantern* Write On! *Jackolantern*

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85
85
Review of What is Normal?  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.0)
Hi billypaul Author IconMail Icon Welcome to Writing.Com! *Smile**Hand2* I hope you enjoy exploring the site, reading the fantastic works uploaded and meeting some of the talented people around here.

*Earth* After reading "What is Normal?Open in new Window., I have these comments to offer:

It speaks of night and darkness as a protector and friend. Often darkness is portrayed as something bad – sometimes it represents fear, sorrow, pain or evil. You question this view and inspect it from another angle. From the perspective of darkness personified, it is an interesting concept as he tries to convince the reader of his friendliness, while acknowledging his more sinister side.

In a broader sense, you are asking, "What is normal?" I have sometimes asked this question of myself. Is there some unspoken creed, some standard of behaviour, that we must all live by? "Normal" just means what usually happens, what is expected, what isn't extraordinary...what everyone does. And I don't think we must adhere to it. Let's step outside our comfort zones and quit being normal! :-[ It's boring, and there is so much more waiting for us out there – adventure, discovery, exploration, experiment, progress, excitement!

*Moon* Suggestions:

This poem is in free verse, with no rhythm or rhyme, except for repeated words. The first stanza rhymes (almost) in an aabb form, but discontinues. This threw me off at first, since I wasn't sure how to read it – whether or not to expect structure. I suggest you remove the rhymes to remain constant to your form.

It contains a lot of repeated words, in their various forms, i.e. dark, protect, light, little, live, true. I understand that this is hardly avoidable in long poems, especially on one subject, but a little editing could clean up the unnecessary repetition and replace with different words.

In some of the stanzas you finish two or more of the lines with the same word (i.e. blue, blue; dark, dark, dark; proud, proud). For some reason, it's disconcerting. It feels like you're trying to cheat the rhyme by simply using the same word, and I don't like it. I'm sure you can come up with a less repetitive way of expressing yourself.

Some of the lines are very long, running to the edge of the page and even down a paragraph (the last lines of the 1st, 11th and 12th stanzas, for example). These can be cut in half or otherwise shortened for a smoother read. Shape is important in a poem.

I feel like this poem should be split into two different poems. In the first half, from stanzas 1 through 3, and then in the second half stanzas 3 onwards. Up until stanza 3, you are questioning what is normal from the perspective of "I", as in you, the author, a person. Later, the perspective changes from yours to that of darkness, "I", the darkness personified. (This confused me at first. To clarify this, you could place Darkness' speech in quotation marks.) Darkness then puts forward his argument and tries to persuade the reader of his merits.

I'm not quite sure how the two connect – your question of what is normal, and then the argument of the merits of darkness.

To make your point more powerfully, you should consider condensing the poem. Make it more concise. Connect the two halves more smoothly, or divide them altogether.

Two grammar suggestions:

But how can you find happiness, if you have never experienced any pain *Right* Remove comma. It's unnecessary, and the line reads perfectly as a sentence without it. Place a question mark after "pain", because you are asking a question (how can you...?).

Truly understanding the darkness, makes you truly understand true love *Right* Same problem here.

*Star* Favourite Lines:

My particular favourites are:
You see that fire that burns in the night, is brighter than the day

and

For happiness is day, and sadness is night
But how can you find happiness, if you have never experienced any pain


I like stanza three. There is some beautiful imagery in there, with a very dark and pessimistic view of the sky.

*Sun* Conclusion:

Thanks for sharing! I have enjoyed reading and reviewing this poem. It is dense and dark, and contains some interesting ideas and views of darkness and night. I hope you find my comments useful. Remember, this is just the opinion of a fellow reader and writer. Take or leave as you see fit. *Smile*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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#1310280 by Brooke is plotting. Author IconMail Icon


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Review of Sanctuary  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi Ken. *Smile* I'm here to return the favour of a review, which you kindly took the time to offer me.

*Earth* After reading "SanctuaryOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: Such serenity and satisfaction is expressed in this poem. I love it! You speak as a man at peace with himself, his mind and his world. It is truly wonderful to be able to seek and find a sacred place, known only to yourself, in your soul. Eternity lives within each of us, and when we look beyond the physical, we experience that momentary touch of heaven.

I'm not sure if you have written in this form before, but you stay true to form throughout (unlike some of us! *Laugh*) and write as if you are comfortable working within its restrictions (or guidelines, however you choose to view them).

Physically (and aside from the image prompt at the top of your item), I envisage a place warm, with clear air and water, well-designed and architectured, with soft sounds and where new things grow. It is a dreamy picture, and puts me to rest just thinking about it. *Delight*

*Moon* Suggestions:

*Ghost* I spotted a typo haunting your poem: it’s, in line nine of the second stanza, should be its – possessive pronoun instead of a contraction.

my concerns I release. *Right* The rhythm stumbles here. The meter wants to stress con-cerns, whereas the word is correctly pronounced con-cerns, with the stress naturally falling on the second syllable.

...I don’t resist / and view the wonders that exist. *Right* Read as a sentence, you are saying "I don't resist and view the wonders that exist". To fix this, place a comma after "resist" and/or replace "and" with "but", i.e. I don't resist, / but view the wonders that exist.

*Star* Favourite Parts:

My favourite line is: yet not a single word is penned. *Right* I am reminded here that so many of our most precious thoughts, feelings and inspirations remain unwritten, forgotten within the vast realm of our minds. Some feelings are so deep that we cannot express them, in art or music or words. And sometimes there are things that are best left unspoken.

The first stanza is my favourite. The second stanza is more specific, although the final stanza seems to float off a bit.

I also like your reference to a library. *Wink* That appealed to the reader/writer in me.

*Sun* Conclusion:

This is a beautiful poem speaking of your view of paradise, a place that any of us could treasure, something we add desire. It relates hope and contentment, resting considerably well in the confines of the restrictive structure. Overall, an excellent interpretation of the prompt and use of the Trijan Refrain, and a pleasant read. *Thumbsup*

Thanks for sharing. *Smile* I have enjoyed reading and reviewing, and wish you the best of luck in the contest. Keep up the great work!

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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87
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Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
Hi Shannen Wrass Author IconMail Icon I see you're new here. Welcome to Writing.Com! *Smile**Hand2* I came across your poem on the Read A Newbie  Open in new Window. page, and the title lured me in.

*Earth* After reading "Pain Became My Friend Today ©Open in new Window., I have these comments to offer: A poem about being so familiar with pain that it is just like a friend. A strong use of personification is the foundation of the piece – Pain is a person, a friend, a reflection of the poet. I think a lot of people can relate to this feeling, and you express it well.

I love the rhythm of the poem. It flows so naturally, and deepens the emotion and meaning. There are a few places where it trips up, but I think those can easily be smoothed over. *Thumbsup* The repetition of the title line also creates a beautiful, rhythmic effect, almost soothing and at the same time relentless.

There are a multitude of conflicting emotions in here – Pain as a friend but with the characteristics of an enemy; a refuge, and a prison; a light, but darkness at the same time; a constant companion, but isolating you; holding your hand, and pulling you into misery. The contrast is confusing, and voices the struggles that teens face as they mature. There is a lot of uncertainty in a teen's life, and feelings of isolation. The pain referred to in the poem isn't necessarily physical pain. I think it represents spiritual or mental pain, since a lot of the allegories and descriptions used aren't physical.

Just a few suggestions:

She reached out her hand to me *Right* This is the first place where the rhythm hesitates. The syllable count is correct, with six syllables per line, but it's unusual to place emphasis on a word like "she", especially since it was used before at the beginning of a line without emphasis. The reader naturally wants to stress the next word, "reached", but it doesn't work.

And introduced me to misery *Right* This line has too many syllables. The word "introduced" doesn't fit the meter. You could try using another word, such as "presented", or rephrase the line entirely to something like Introducing misery.

Staying as my constant companion *Right* Too many syllables here as well. Hm...you could try something like Constant (or always) my companion.

When she saw me kneel down and cry *Right* Here you can remove the extra syllable by deleting the word "down". It won't make much difference, since we know that kneeling involves getting down on one's knees. *Wink*

To kiss my joy good-bye *Right* "good-bye" should be "goodbye".

She introduced me to the sorrow *Right* Repetition of the word "introduced", and again it doesn't fit. Another word or concept could be employed for variety. You have talent; you can come up with something fresh. *Smile*

She introduced me to the sorrow
Who showed me how to dwell in agony
*Right* I'm not sure who "Who" is. I think you are referring to Pain, but as it is written it refers to sorrow. To rephrase correctly, replace "Who" with "She".

The poem lacks punctuation. I understand that minimal punctuation should be used in poetry, but some is necessary to help the reader understand. Punctuation should be carefully balanced between helping and hindering the flow of the piece. An example of a place where you could use punctuation is at the end of the first line: simply place a comma, and at the end of the second line you could place a period.

This also creates phrasing, indicating where the reader can pause to take a breath. Punctuation is a vital tool to create emphasis. You can stress certain lines or phrases by using a period, creating an effect of finality, defeat or victory.

Overall, watch out for lines with too many words (syllables). Simply rephrasing or adjusting words can make a line flow perfectly. *Smile*

There are some beautiful lines in here. I particularly like:

She showed me how to hide *Right* I feel like I know that all too well! I am not someone who likes to voice my pain. I like to hide it, and hide from it.

In her I console *Right* A touch of self-pity always makes us feel better. *Wink*

To kiss my joy good-bye *Right* A kiss, a token of tenderness and pleasure, is in a moment contradicted by banishing joy. Nice use of paradox. *Thumbsup*

I love your final line. It punches home the point, and at the same time gently closes the poem. *Star*

Congratulations on a great write! I very much enjoyed the read, and have enriched my concept of pain through this poem. I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work! *Smile*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | (4.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi Solivagus Author IconMail Icon Welcome to Writing.Com! *Smile* I hope you enjoy your stay here.

*Earth* After reading "(a domestic violence poem)Open in new Window., I have these comments to offer: This is a dark and sad poem that tells of a woman abused by her husband, who turns back for the sake of her baby when she has the chance to escape. She is killed later that day.

The form is strange – the rhythm of the lines is steady, and the rhymes are mostly perfect, but the isolated words constantly distract the reader, lending choppiness to the read. I’m not sure if this is the effect you were after. I have not seen this form before, and in the brief description you mention that it’s experimental.

The last two lines, without the interruption of the isolated words, receive a stronger effect, but the rhythm is lost in the closing line because the emphasis on “he” instead of “beat” feels wrong.

Also, I’m not sure about how the title relates to the poem. Is it like the close of the door to freedom? The close of her life? The close of love on a relationship? Perhaps you could be more specific. A good title can capture the reader and then make them say “ah” at the end of the read.

Otherwise, I very much enjoyed your poem. The tone is dark and desperate – we sense her fear, her final hope, her determination to escape. And yet something holds her back. She is pitiful, almost pathetic, but the devotion to her child, the sense of duty as a mother, draws her back to her abuser...and it costs her more than her freedom: it costs her life.

I particularly like the lines:
it
was with courage mixed with fear
that
led her path away from here


The combination of courage and fear is often overlooked or underestimated in common understanding. To me, courage is not the absence of fear, but facing fear and acting in spite of it.

Domestic abuse needs to be exposed. It is more common than we think, and it’s something we all need to fight. I think this major issue has found a voice in your tragic but impacting poem.

Thank you for sharing. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing. Keep up the great work! *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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89
89
Review of My last memories  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (3.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi hh93 Author IconMail Icon Welcome to Writing.Com! *Smile* I see you are new here. I hope you enjoy your stay and find this site as creative, helpful and inspiring as I have.

*Earth* After reading "My last memoriesOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: This is a heart-wrenching story about a young man called Adam who is diagnosed with brain cancer. With such a short life expectancy, his world is turned upside down, and he struggles to cope with the pain, and with the guilt of what he is causing his parents to feel. Then at the hospital he meets a little girl called Linda, who makes him promise that he will never cry again. After talking with her he learns to face each day and actually live it, regardless of whether or not there is a tomorrow.

The story is heartwarming and sweet, and I love it how Adam pursues his dream in the end. It ends with hope not just for the future but for today, reminding me how easily we take each day, each opportunity, each painless moment for granted.

There are a lot of grammar and punctuation mistakes that need working over. The narrative was difficult to read, as it constantly switches between past and present tense, and words are used incorrectly as well.

To help you straighten out some of the grammar errors, I have highlighted them below and offer my suggestions with them:

Here I am sitting again in this dark and cold room on this bed, which will be either a way to my survive, or my last stations in this life , my mother is sitting on a chair next to me, pain and grief, shove her, yes, I can see her tears hidden down her cheeks show off her ordered mask , which is taking shape on her face while she's looking at me. *Right* *Right* This needs to be broken up into several sentences to make sense, and for ease of reading. Try something like this: Here I am again, sitting in this dark and cold room on this bed, which will either be a way to survive, or my last station in life. My mother is sitting on a chair next to me. Pain and grief shove her. Yes, I can see tears sliding down her cheeks, off her mask, which is taking shape on her face while she looks at me. Remember, you have started the story in present tense (i.e. I am here now, not I was there then), so make sure you keep to it.

My name is (Adam) .I am nineteen years old . *Right* Remove the brackets. They don't make sense. Also, remove the spaces before periods. I notice that this is a reoccurring problem in the text – spaces before punctuation, especially commas and periods. Punctuation should always follow the word directly, i.e. the comma is placed here, not here ,

At that moment I could not control myself and I said: What is my patients ? *Right* "patients" is the wrong word. A patient is someone who comes to see the doctor. Perhaps you mean "problem"? Place quotation marks at the beginning and end of sentences that are spoken, i.e. At that moment I could not control myself, and I said: "What is my problem?"

At that moment, I was no longer hear what he says... *Right* Oops, misuse of "was" and "hear". Also, "says" should be past tense. The sentence should read: At that moment, I no longer heard what he said.

Beauty does not disappear behind her disease or behind the fall of her entire hair. *Right* "her entire hair" is an incorrect phrase. I am not sure what you are trying to say here. Perhaps "all her hair"?

I could see the glitter of hope when I looked into her big and brigtness eyes *Right* "brigtness" should be "bright". Also, place a period at the end of this sentence. Same goes for the next sentence.

For long time I have wished to have a brother or sister. And now, I had become having the best sister. *Right* Should be: For a long time I have wished to have a brother or sister. And now I have the best sister.

Every day I was sitting with her in the corridor of the hospital . she was telling me a pretty childish stories *Right* "was sitting" and "was telling" should simply be "sat" and "told". Again, remove the space before the period. Capitalize "she", since it is the start of a new sentence, and place a period at the close of the sentence.

Yes, she has returned me my real life. *Right* "me my" doesn't work. It should be "me to my" or simply "me".

I decided to fulfill my dream I called a friend of mine that his father was working in military aviation pilot. asked him to take me to fly in the helicopter with his father and he did not refused my request. The next day i was ready to achieve my dream. my mother was afraid of this trip I said to her: my dear mom my disease has stolen everything from me but I will never let him stop me to achieve my dream . *Right* Grammar tips:
*Bullet* Place period after "dream".
*Bullet* "that his" should be "whose".
*Bullet* "was working in" should be "worked as a".
*Bullet* replace the period after "pilot" with a comma, and insert "and".
*Bullet* "i" should be "I" (when referring to oneself, "I" should always be capitalized. Watch out – this is also a reoccurring error in your grammar.).
*Bullet* "my mother" should be "My mother".
*Bullet* place comma and "but" after "trip".
*Bullet* Place quotation marks before and after spoken sentence, and capitalise "my" and "mom". Use commas to clean up the sentence: "My dear Mom, the disease has stolen everything from me, but I will never let it stop me from achieving my dream."

This moment was the happiest moment in my life, I felt that I resisted satisfactory I felt that life cropped up in my body again. *Right* Replace comma after "my life" with period. "satisfactory" should be "satisfactorily", and place comma afterwards. A better word could be used instead of "cropped", since it refers to cutting something down, whereas you want to show that life "sprung", "grew" or "renewed itself" inside you.

More description would bring the story to life. The details of Adam's feelings are deep and vivid, but the more external things could use a bit of work, such as the doctor, the hospital visit, the people in the waiting room, and the little girl.

The narrative has a very non-fiction, making the story realistic. Your voice is casual, as if retelling something that has happened to you. It's a nice style.

A beautiful ending. *Thumbsup* The closing sentence is exciting and satisfying, reminding me how important it is to appreciate each day as it comes. Thank you for sharing this encouraging story about life and hope. *Smile* I have enjoyed reading and reviewing it, and I hope you find my comments useful. Keep up the great work!

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
*Earth* Hi C.N. Greer Author IconMail Icon *Smile**Hand2* Welcome to Writing.Com!

I noticed your poem on the Newbies' Works List  Open in new Window. and your title and brief description lured me in. I was rewarded with this breathtaking poem of heartbreak and regained strength.

Wow! *Starstruck* What an incredibly touching poem. The flow of thought and emotion is deep and stirring, your rhymes are perfect, your rhythm pulses and vibrates through me. Every line is a treasure. Your imagery is vivid and descriptive, and I like it how you use different elements such as light and dark, fire and water to symbolize the hurt that you have experienced, and the determination to heal and regain strength of heart and mind. There is also a rich use of the senses of sight, touch and hearing, which broaden the overall description and made me actually feel what you are expressing! *Thumbsup* Great work!

I have two suggestions:

The word "pain" is repeated five times. This became distracting towards the end. Perhaps you could replace it with other words such as agony, torment, despair or hurt.

The only line that doesn't sit right with me is My strength Dark won’t get. It doesn't flow with the same ease and grace as the other lines. I think you can afford to lengthen the line a little, so maybe something like this would work better: My strength the Dark won't get or My strength the darkness will not get.

My favourite lines are these two:

I don’t reach for you.
I’m reaching for me.


This gave me the shivers (in the good way). Wonderful expression of the sense of self-searching. In the end, we make our own destiny.

I am very fond of poems that speak of overcoming weakness and recovering strength. And this isn't necessarily a love poem, which is nice for a change. *Smile* Anyone can betray anyone's trust - a friend, parent, sibling or lover. I am reminded how important it is to appreciate the trust people place on me, and how valuable it is to be able to trust and rely on someone knowing that they won't be unfaithful.

This poem so beautifully expresses the pain of misplaced trust, the loss of love and the recovery of one's strength and dignity after so much hurt. I think many people experience this in one way or another, and anyone who has gone through it can relate to your poem (I certainly can). Well done!

Thank you for sharing your work. *Star* You have inspired me. Wishing you all the best in every writing endeavour! *Bigsmile* Keep up the great work. *Thumbsup*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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91
91
Review of Who am I ?  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi mary-lisa Author IconMail Icon Welcome to Writing.Com! *Smile* I hope you enjoy your stay, and find this site as creative, inspiring and encouraging as I have. I noticed your item on the read a newbie page, and clicked on it just a little uncertain of what to expect.

*Earth* After reading "Who am I ? Open in new Window., I have these comments to offer: I would normally suggest a revision of grammar, but there is no way I can offer criticism for such a deeply personal chronicle of your thoughts and feelings. You broke my heart! I am so sorry to hear of your condition.

It must be difficult struggling with all of this, but I want to encourage you to use writing as your escape. It can be incredibly calming and uplifting, and help you to sort out your feelings. Keep a journal. Write poetry, or a few short stories. You may find that it helps.

I don't know much about pulmonary edema. I can't imagine how you face it. But I do know this: Your parents love you. They could never "regret" you and never blame you. Life must be really hard for all of you, but family is family. Sticking together is important. Don't forget that you are loved, you are strong, you are beautiful. You'll come through.

Stay strong, be strong! *Heart*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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92
92
Review of Day of Atonement  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi Liam Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* I'm back with another review as part of the package you won in "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.

*Earth* After reading "Day of AtonementOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: The title caught my eye and the brief description aroused my curiosity, as I wondered what "current events" you referred to. I am always in for a deep read and I enjoy discussion of serious and political subjects.

This poem is less political as it is...human. You address the waste of war, the arrogance and misplaced power of the West and the need to let go of our desire for conflict. I'm not sure exactly what context of events you wrote this in and about, but I don't need to. Your theme is universal and speaks to every person of every culture. The pursuit of power is vain. True power is found in love and peace, placing others before ourselves, and the willingness to give.

Only one suggestion: The disclaimer at the top distracted me. I think it would be better placed at the bottom, since the poem itself is the focus, not the opinions of readers and reviewers.

Excellent rhythm and rhyme. The poem flows perfectly, the message is clear and needs to be heard. My favourite lines are:

Unquestioned power lies within our hands,
So we no longer question our demands.


This is especially profound.

Your imagery is vivid. In thoughts of dishes that are best served cold – I love this allusion of revenge. A fantastic opening line. *Thumbsup*

We are weakened by our greed for the external, and strengthened only by our inner merits and our will to do right.

And speaks the fruit that grows upon our vine. *Right* There are consequences to our actions. What we do shows who we are.

But your poem isn't despairing. Three uplifting lines close the poem, particularly stark among them the line: The time has come to draw a new design. I wish this was the last line. It is the most graphic of all the lines, and has the most punch.

The last two lines confuse me a little, as I'm not sure who "he" is. You speak of missing him and kissing him. Are you referring to our soldiers? Or our inner righteousness? But perhaps it doesn't matter. Perhaps what is most important is choose to change ourselves, our actions, our society, our world.

Of all the poems I have read on humanity, this is among my favourites. The more I read it, the more I glean from it. *Star* Thank you for sharing your talent in these two beautiful verses. I appreciate your effort to voice such an important subject. You spoke to my heart and encouraged me, as well as challenging me, in thought and action.

I look forward to reading more of your excellent work. *Smile*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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93
93
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


*Earth* Hi Tim Chiu Author IconMail Icon *Smile* I came across your poem "May Your Heart Know LoveOpen in new Window. through the random reads, and I have these comments to offer:

I enjoyed your imagery of a panoramic view of a lover's heart, as you develop from the physical to the spiritual. You voice some interesting topics, such as the tantalizing touch of love on the heart, the improvement hardships can make on character and the freedom that feeling and harmony has from the world and its conflicts and worries.

I blundered on the word transcendentalized. It's long and complicated, and quite a mouthful. Perhaps it could be replaced by a simpler and equally, or more, meaningful word.

My favourite line is:
The heart knows what it knows, and it must know Love.

Truly touching, and an excellent message. *Star* I like how easily your lines flow from one to the next, and your word choice is excellent. Well done! *Thumbsup*

Thanks for sharing. *Smile* As always, write on! *Pen*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
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94
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Review of Writing  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


*Earth* Hi Samberine Everose Author IconMail Icon Thank you for entering "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. with your poem "WritingOpen in new Window.

The verse tells of the relief, joy and sorrow of writing. Without rhyme but a subtle rhythm, it flows easily from line to line and eventually drifts off with a stunning final line. *Star* I absolutely love the last line. *Thumbsup* Fantastic work!

I would have liked to read more. The poem could be expanded on to fully relate your emotions when writing. I think you as well as your reader would find this a more fulfilling experience if it was more rounded and complete. Don't limit yourself! *Smile*

I only noticed two little typos/grammar mistakes:
*Right* "come" should be "comes"
*Right* "letting" should (probably?) be "let" to keep consistent with the tense.


Keep in mind these are just my suggestions. Ultimately it's your decision.

I think that closing line is one of my all-time favourites. I know it will echo in my mind for the rest of the night. Writing encompasses everything. Writing is individual and ubiquitous. It is an escape as well as a reality. Anyone can take up a pen and change the world. Developing your voice and employing your strengths in the right way can effect people as well as helping yourself. So many people find healing in writing. And on this site I think we can all relate to that. *Smile*

Thanks for sharing your poem. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing, and I wish you the best in the contest! :-[ Write on. *Quill*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

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95
95
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.0)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


*Earth* Hi Prosperous Snow celebrating Author IconMail Icon Thank you for entering "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. with your poem "The Aftermath of PrayerOpen in new Window.

A soft and spiritual verse tells of the comfort and power of prayer, and the echoes of a soul touched deeply by forgiveness and love.

Two suggestions:

I noticed a typo *Right* "thar" should be "that"

Also, the title is "The Aftermath Of Prayer". "Aftermath" doesn't seem the right word to use, as the dictionary defines it like this: the consequences or after-effects of a significant unpleasant event. I don't think you meant to portray prayer as an unpleasant event! *Smile*

As a Christian I can relate to this poem. Prayer brings peace and healing to the heart, and I am reminded that our Father listens to us in times of trouble, grief, fear and longing as well as in joy, peace and contentment. Every time we pray we build ourselves up as well as encouraging others and glorifying our Lord and Saviour.

My favourite line is the third: Come the echoes of forgiveness *Star* This sent shivers up my spine. Very beautiful description!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful words. I have enjoyed reading and reviewing, and I wish you the best in the contest! :-[ Write on. *Quill*

God bless,
*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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96
96
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi Meshellmybell Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* Welcome to Writing.Com! *Quill* I saw your post in "Noticing NewbiesOpen in new Window. and I'm here with a review of your lovely poem.

*Earth* After reading "The intentions of my wordsOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: I cannot forget the initial effect of your poem on me. I can relate so well to these words. They are spoken so simply and sincerely from the heart and with elegance of the pen. The writer feels with every fibre of her being the need to be accepted and respected. Your gentle plea coaxes readers to give up criticizing and listen to the music within as the words pass from one heart to another. This is art in its truest form.

You compare writing to music, painting and faith – three valued concepts which all come together in poetry. *Star*

Each couplet has a perfect rhyme, rhythm that flows and a touching theme.

My only suggestion is to run over your meter again. Some of the lines don't fit it as well as they could, i.e. Painting a portrait with words are my souls confession *Right* This has two extra syllables. Perhaps it could be Painting with words are my soul's confession or Painting a portrait with my words' confession. (Also, "souls" should be "soul's".)

Also, "heart" is repeated three times in the poem. Perhaps you could replace it sometimes with another word?

I love every line, but I think my favourite lines are For these words are my feelings and my heart is on stage and Read the lines of my life threading from my soul.

The sweet final words sink in with a memorable message. Love a poem for what it is, not for what it should be or isn't.

I enjoyed reading and reviewing your beautiful poem. I hope you find my comments useful. *Smile* Best wishes for your writing future. Write on! *Pen*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon
"Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. | "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
97
97
Review of The Knight's Tale  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi 🌖 HuntersMoon Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author Icon has gifted you a review and a Merit Badge from the package he won at "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. MB is on the way.

*Earth* After reading "Dark ScribeOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: There is nothing I love more than a legend put into ballad, and so I settled down by the campfire and prepared for a delicious, smokey read, savouring each line with a blazing imagination.

I could just hear the old knight's timbre voice as he tells the tale of Odin's Eye, the ancient ship of a Viking warriors who set sail for Valhalla to battle with the gods, trusting magic to guide them. Although they fight with courage and cheer, the odds turn against them and magic betrays them. Their ship returns to their homeland shores empty and although watch is kept, no other sign of them is found, and with the winds of a stormy night one can hear the battle far away.

The poem stays true to the form of a ballad except for the refrain. I have never read a ballad with a refrain and I think your poem isn't as dynamic with it.

I have a few suggestions, mostly concerning meter. Your poem could do with a rhythm makeover. *Bigsmile* It stars off strong at the start, but some of the stanzas follow the meter perfectly while others lack.

Though he could speak the native tongue *Right* This line is two syllables too long to fit the meter. How about: Though he spoke their tongue.

he came by way of horse *Right* "by way of" seems the wrong phrase...but I guess it works.

The small arrow that he carried *Right* "small" is an extra syllable. Could it be removed altogether?

and its ice covered quay *Right* This line is missing a syllable between "ice" and "covered". Perhaps you could use a word more descriptive than "covered" to fit the meter. "Embellished" is the first word that came to mind, or "washed"?

Gods *Right* I think should be "gods".

The fjord rang with hunting songs *Right* Another syllable would do no harm after "rang". What about "out"? Hm, and "song" is repeated four times in the poem. Maybe it could be replaced here and there with something else.

empty from stem to stern. *Right* "empty" doesn't fit with the meter and it it repeated four lines later. I know they aren't the same, but what about "bare" or "void"? "stern" looks like "stem" because of the italics. Are they necessary?

I hate to say this, but the last line fell flat compared to the heart of your poem. Without an exact rhyme or a strong rhythm it didn't leave as much of an impression as it could have. The last verse could be reshaped to make it work, but I'm not exactly sure how – and I don't want to write your poem for you! *Laugh*

From start to close this poem is lyrical and intriguing, and I enjoyed every line. Thank you for sharing. I wish you the best of luck with every future writing endeavour. As always, write on! *Pen*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
98
98
Review of Dark Scribe  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* I am here with the review you won at "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. Thank you for bidding on my package.

*Earth* After reading "Dark ScribeOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: The atmosphere of this poem is grim and indeed dark, but there is a flicker of hope at the end. You accurately voice the despair and sometimes desperation of depression. That feeling of utter helplessness, as if sinking into an abyss of glue that one can never rise from, is familiar in one way or another to all of us. Escape is difficult to maneuver, but it is necessary ~ and every writer finds it in his pen. Comfort is the power of words

The lines flow well, the rhymes are all perfect and the emotion compelling. My only suggestion is to run through the rhythm and smooth it over. Sometimes it feels a bit lost. A few lines are longer or shorter than the average, especially the first two of the fourth stanza. An example of perfect meter is the second-to-last line. You can form other lines around it by removing, replacing or adding words and syllables.

Then put them on paper; my Saviour – my pen. *Right* A nice ending, but might I suggest revising the punctuation? The semicolon and hyphen made me stumble over those last words. Perhaps Then put them on paper – my saviour, my pen.

I particularly like the line, A mistake, a wrong, or really bad luck (although I'm not such a fan of its rhyming match! *Laugh*). Thoughtlessness and guilt can drive us into a corner, and sometimes confession and forgiveness – either to and from oneself or others – and new beginnings are what will remove the burden of the soul and heal the scars of the heart.

I also like the line, Reality is a mistress of fate. *Star* Perceptive and very true.

I enjoyed delving into your port for some delightful reads. You have a lot of profound words and interesting concepts. *Smile* Thanks for sharing your talent. I hope you find my review useful and encouraging. As always, write on! *Pen*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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Review of Arina's Last hope  Open in new Window.
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
*People* *Waterdrop* *Sun* *Earth* *Stary* *Moon* *Peace*


Hi Karl Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* I am here with a random review. *Gold*

*Earth* After reading "Arina's Last hopeOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer:

This short story tells of a Arina's vision of a great battle in which the Dragon Knights are destroyed and, as the last protection of the ancient city against the invading forces, all hope is subsequently lost. Can she stop the Lord Commander from leading his Knights out to battle before it happens?

I really like your tale. The beginning is captivating, the descriptions of the battle are delicious, the emotions vivid. The scene of the dragons' demise is magnificent and terrible. The reader then realizes that the only hope for the Dragon Knights and the survival of her people relies on Arina.

When she runs to the palace, hinting that she is of royal blood, my heart was beating. The end comes suddenly with force and impact, and the revelation of the Lord Commander as Arina's lover is devastating, making the tragedy threefold (destruction of the dragons, fate of the city and death of someone very close to her).

As usual, your imagery is excellent, the plot well crafted and characters interesting. I particularly love the detail of the narrative – the crone's tent, the vision of the Lord Commander and the dragons, the people in the market, Arina's race to the palace and the final scene on the mountain peak.

Your use of the present and future is also an interesting perspective, with a complete lack of the past, and Arina's emotions, although not highlighted in the story until the very end, strengthen the deep sorrow of the end.

I think my only suggestion is the last scene. Something was missing. A glimpse of the Lord Commander's face, the rattle of battle gear, the rush of wind and heat, the feeling of dwarfing in the presence of the dragon – even a sentence could make the Lord Commander a living person, instead of just a vision, who matters a lot to Arina, and so completing her agony.

She rose without a word and followed her into the dimly lit bowels of the seer’s sanctum. *Right* I love this sentence! Gritty description. Just a suggestion – the previous sentence only mentions a hand appearing, so Arina can't follow "her". Perhaps "obeyed the gesture" or something.

As she crossed the threshold...led her across *Right* Repetition of "cross" in different forms.

to accumulate such a collection of wrinkles. *Right* Another fantastic line. The description is fitting.

the power of her ability. *Right* "ability" seems the wrong word here. It's technically all right, but something made me hesitate the first time I read it.

the light of day *Right* Oops, cliché! You can employ your accomplished description powers in a better way here. *Smile*

folwed *Right* flowed

moved faster than thought as it impacted a red dragon *Right* This sentence doesn't make sense. If it has already hit the dragon, how can it move faster? Impacted seems the wrong word as well. "Struck" or "collided with" maybe?

In less than a minute, the legendary Dragon Knights were wiped from the face of the earth. *Right* Nooo! *Frown* Crushed me.

armrests of the stool *Right* A stool is "a seat without a back or arms".

eliciting more than a few derogatory remarks in the process *Right* *Laugh* This cracked me up.

The final sentence is brilliant. *Thumbsup* Love it.

I am glad I came across your wonderful tale. I think you have skill in writing short stories. The plot is so well developed and concluded, and it's interesting as well. The vision is a certainly rich and intense experience. This is almost exactly what I imagine I would read in an old tome or hear in a legendary fantasy land.

Thanks for sharing. *Smile* I hope you find my comments useful. Write on! *Pen*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
100
100
Review by Fi Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Sisco's Good Deed Group  Open in new Window.
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
*Sun* *Moon* *Stary* *Earth* *People* *Waterdrop* *Fire* *Peace*


Hi THANKFUL SONALI Magical Days! Author IconMail Icon! *Smile* I came across your lovely story through the magical Random Review.

*Earth* After reading "Some Things Just Don't MatterOpen in new Window., I have these comments to offer: A beautiful tale of a girl's relationship with her father and her art, and how by losing something she could pass it on to benefit another. My only regret is that her father never seemed to reconcile with losing the painting. Perhaps you could bring that resolvement across in the end to give the reader more satisfaction?

My favourite aspect of this story is your protagonist's character. You paint her in a splendid light. Her attitude is sweet, lively and passionate – and frustrating. *Laugh* I sympathized with her father.

Most of the story is told not shown, but I like it this way. Your style is like a voice telling a story.

There are a lot of breaks in the story which give it a kind of detached feeling. I think you could run it all together smoothly by removing these dividers and replacing with a few sentences to explain the move in scene, or maybe not switch scenes so much.

Beware of overusing commas. When you need a lot of commas sometimes the sentence is hard to understand and could be easier to read if it was reshaped.

but she had. *Right* "but" should be capitalized.

"But - but - *Right* should be "but...but..."

the warm welcome had taken the wind out of her sails, she had expected - what? - a defensive attitude? rudeness? outright dismissal? *Right* Should be The warm welcome had taken the wind out of her sails. She had expected...what? A defensive attitude? Rudeness? Outright dismissal?

My favourite line is: And her Father visited the broken bridge alone each day. When she came home on vacation, they walked there together, and she ran, like a deer, along the unbroken slats. *Right* Reflecting the previous description of her on the bridge, it almost brings the story full circle.

I wish you could close with these lines. That would tie it off so well. But it's fine as it is, with that sorrowful and stunning light at the end. It's impacting, but don't let it be disjointed. Perhaps you could change it to in the end she remembers, after the bridge is taken down, when they walked there and she ran like a deer along the unbroken slats.

I love the part of the narrative when you describe her character. That was a fitting and quirky summary. *Thumbsup* There's certainly talent here.

I hope you find my comments helpful. I enjoyed reading and reviewing your story, and wish you all the best for the future! *Smile*

*Peace2* Fi Author IconMail Icon

*Starb* WRITE ON! *Starb*
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*Gold* My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!Open in new Window..
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