Comment from Diane Griffith

Exceptional

This is a very clever piece of writing. I loved the ending. It flowed very well and the presentation was excelent.
I have read your poem again and I have understood it better now. It is really good!
Diane Griffith

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2009

---

reply by the author on 21-Jun-2009

Thank you for your positive and thoughtful comments - since you have awarded it 4 stars, could you please clarify what about it you think is in need of revision? Thank you, Brooke

reply by Diane Griffith on 21-Jun-2009

I am new to all this and I loved your work. I am just a bit nervous about rating everyone the same. I really could not tell you how to improve your writing. It is all a bit too clever for me. But I did LOVE it, maybe I can alter the mark? I don't want to upset anyone by giving ratings that are below their expectations. I will read it again. By the way, are you Welsh, by any chance?Lizziebach sounds Welsh. I'd hate to upset a fellow countrywoman. I spent my childhood in North Wales, being of a Welsh mother.
Diane

reply by the author on 21-Jun-2009

Thank you for adjusting the rating - I was not upset. You will just find that many people will ask how to revise if given a 4 since a 4 on this site is defined as being in need of revision. I give people 4 ratings but always accompany them with a list of errors, like spelling mistakes or punctuation mistakes that need fixing, or rules they have broken in poetry forms. For instance, if a sonnet requires an abab rhyme scheme and the person fails to follow the sonnet rules, I will give a 4 but tell them it is because some of their lines don't fit the correct rhyming pattern. You are always allowed to give less than a 5 rating to a piece - you just need to explain what you think is wrong that could use work :-) You are most gracious. Brooke

reply by Diane Griffith on 21-Jun-2009

Thanks for reply. I am learning!
Diane :-)

Comment from spr119

Excellent

Wow, I really love the mental portrait you portray here. Very good, I think my favorite line is the last one;
I'm but a thorny thistle,
much smaller than the oak,
but do beware the danger
beneath my purple cloak

I love how you turn around the resolution into you offensive. Thank you for sharing!

I would love it if you could view my poems and me work on my craft. I just started putting writings up a few days ago. Well again awesome!

 Comment Written 22-May-2009

---

reply by the author on 22-May-2009

My goodness - this is one from a little while ago - thanks so much for reviewing a work no longer promoted. :-) Brooke

Comment from Readywriter52

Excellent

The picture is pretty and goes with the poem. The oak tree might be bigger than the thistle but a thistle can cause pain. Mighty things can come in small packages. This poem expresses that well.

 Comment Written 05-May-2009

---

reply by the author on 05-May-2009

thanks so much for taking the time to read this no longer promoted piece - I really appreciate it :-) Brooke

Comment from Twomoon

Excellent

adewpearl, loved this poem of the thistle...wonderfully done! The rhyme is perfect and the flow is magic! Love the oak trees, and love the thoughts and notes on this one. I love the poem, of wearing a purple cloak...smile..much love twomoon

 Comment Written 05-May-2009

---

reply by the author on 05-May-2009

Thanks so much - I loved writing this and am pleased you like it!! Brooke :-)

Comment from Rottie

Excellent

Okay, you got me scared! Now I can't ever take another carefree walk along the wooded isles (If I lived near any. I saw them in a book once) cause now you're saying I'm gonna be zapped by purple thorns. That is not very hospitable ya know. I'm all for protecting ones self but come on...purple thorns??

You already know this poem rocks! right? You didn't? Well, let me tell you, it flowed, it rhymed, it threatened and it climbed....on to my danger danger list!

Great poetic work as always!

 Comment Written 04-May-2009

---

reply by the author on 04-May-2009

Thanks so much - your reviews should come with a warning that I'll be busy laughing the next ten minutes :-) Brooke

Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

Great contest entry, from presentation to content. Looks as if you have met all of the contest requirements and have given the reader an added plus in your author notes. Good luck. ann

 Comment Written 04-May-2009

---

reply by the author on 04-May-2009

Oh, voting has started on this, I see - seems like I wrote it years ago! LOL Thank you, Brooke :-)

Comment from Rain Chapman

Excellent

Great use of the words you chose for the contest throughout the whole poem, I like that they are used more than once but it does not feel as though you are repeating yourself. I read this one out loud and the flow is really smooth. Thank you once again for the information in the author's notes. Best of luck!

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2009

---

reply by the author on 30-Apr-2009

Thank you so much - I always appreciate your great reviews :-) Brooke

Comment from ersorenson

Excellent

I really like this poem. I was surprised to read a poem about a thistle and more surprised that I liked it a lot. I am amazed how you wove a great message about size not being the only measurement of strength and power. I've stepped on the majestic thistle with bare feet more times than I can count but the time it showed me it's strength is when I hit one riding a bike. Yikes, it's a good thing they aren't as big as oaks. Very nice poem, easy to read, great words.
Eric

 Comment Written 21-Apr-2009

---

reply by the author on 21-Apr-2009

Eric, thank you yet again :-) Brooke

Comment from KYPollard/El Gato

Excellent

This is nice contribution to the contest. It was fun to read the thistle's plea. I found no errors. Your poems are why I do not enter poetry contests! Good luck.

 Comment Written 19-Apr-2009

---

reply by the author on 19-Apr-2009

well, that is a sweet thing for you to say - you made me laugh. I hope you know I often lose contests to funny entries - voters really like the funny stuff. thanks, Brooke

Comment from jakuper

Excellent

Do not be fooled in thinking
all strength is found in size,
lest some day you fall victim
to thistle's sneak surprise.

It's wonderful poem.
Sorry, that i say it all the time. You are to be blamed. if only you would write less good sometimes, I could put a different review :-)

 Comment Written 16-Apr-2009

---

reply by the author on 16-Apr-2009

You make me laugh even in your reviews :-) Brooke