A Host's Dilemma
a timely question88 total reviews
Comment from Jo_Tweedy
Brilliant!!!!!
Love it!!!!!
I like the last two of lines very much
"how does one feed this guest
when there's no food to share?"
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2009
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Brilliant!!!!!
Love it!!!!!
I like the last two of lines very much
"how does one feed this guest
when there's no food to share?"
Comment Written 07-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2009
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I just finished reading your wonderful rag doll poem, so I am pleased that a poet of such talent enjoys my work - thank you! Brooke : -)
Comment from N.C.Dent
Exquisite in its pain conveyed in perfect rhyme and meter, your words both accuse and attempt to sensitizes a society grown calloused and uncaring. Well done, as always. Nick
reply by the author on 06-Aug-2009
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Exquisite in its pain conveyed in perfect rhyme and meter, your words both accuse and attempt to sensitizes a society grown calloused and uncaring. Well done, as always. Nick
Comment Written 06-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 06-Aug-2009
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Nick, thank you! I appreciate your most perceptive read of my poem. Brooke :-)
Comment from DeboraDyess
Very well done. Been there! You know, no matter how many kids would eat at the house in a week, there was always food. I never understood how; quite often I was struggling just to feed my own, and three or four extra would decend. I think that God stretched the food so that everyone always ate until they were full. I still don't see how we survived some of those years with our income and the defensive team eating at our house! Well written, Deb
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2009
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Very well done. Been there! You know, no matter how many kids would eat at the house in a week, there was always food. I never understood how; quite often I was struggling just to feed my own, and three or four extra would decend. I think that God stretched the food so that everyone always ate until they were full. I still don't see how we survived some of those years with our income and the defensive team eating at our house! Well written, Deb
Comment Written 03-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2009
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Thanks so much, Deb, for sharing with me and for your most thoughtful review. Brooke
Comment from Peter@Poole
What can I say? Well-crafted, intelligent, caring. I've run out of superlatives for you, Brooke. I've also neglected you, bnut not as much as others. Peter
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2009
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What can I say? Well-crafted, intelligent, caring. I've run out of superlatives for you, Brooke. I've also neglected you, bnut not as much as others. Peter
Comment Written 03-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2009
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Peter, thank you - I'm just happy to see you today :-) Brooke
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What a lovely thing to say. Peter
Comment from raimie
True so true! I once read a book about the great depression and it listed the commodities box that they received every month from the govt. it was like flour, butter, baking soda, cornmeal, no meat or anything. i looked at all those dry ingredients and thought omg we would starve. i know nothing about cooking from scratch lol!
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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True so true! I once read a book about the great depression and it listed the commodities box that they received every month from the govt. it was like flour, butter, baking soda, cornmeal, no meat or anything. i looked at all those dry ingredients and thought omg we would starve. i know nothing about cooking from scratch lol!
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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Raimie, it's so good to hear from you! Yeah, I have never really cooked from scratch in my life, but you'd be amazed what people can learn when necessity calls!! Thank you. Brooke :-)
Comment from Gaye Hemsley
Yes indeed in this situation how does one share with others. It always amazes me when watching TV where people travel to visit villages who only have the basic food how they are more than willing to share with an total stranger. Your naani poem says it all. Cheers Gaye
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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Yes indeed in this situation how does one share with others. It always amazes me when watching TV where people travel to visit villages who only have the basic food how they are more than willing to share with an total stranger. Your naani poem says it all. Cheers Gaye
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Gaye. I appreciate your thoughtful response. Brooke :-)
Comment from Melody Foreman
Sad but somehow endearing.Who would even think to share if there wasn't any for one's self? Simple and direct a good
poem I think.
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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Sad but somehow endearing.Who would even think to share if there wasn't any for one's self? Simple and direct a good
poem I think.
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Melody, for this gracious review :-) Brooke
Comment from LauraKatherine
Thought-provoking question, Brooke. I like how you wrote the naani as a question because this situation is a question without a (good) answer. If you have nothing left to give, you literally can't give to those in need; at that point, you are a person in need as well.
Works for physical needs as well as for emotional needs, too. I know that there are times when a person is so burdened by life circumstances (intense grief, overwhelming pain, etc.) that to try to help meet someone else's need would add to the burden that the first person carries. Both people have legitimate needs (comfort, food, shelter, rest, etc.) but both really need someone who has the necessary thing to meet their needs. Hope that makes sense!
As usual, your word and sound choices are excellent:
shelves/share
feed/food
(liked those sound repetitions in particular)
nice use of "when" to start both the 1st/4th lines (draws together the lines that highlight the tragic irony of this situation)
Excellent work, as always! Good luck in the contest. Laura
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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Thought-provoking question, Brooke. I like how you wrote the naani as a question because this situation is a question without a (good) answer. If you have nothing left to give, you literally can't give to those in need; at that point, you are a person in need as well.
Works for physical needs as well as for emotional needs, too. I know that there are times when a person is so burdened by life circumstances (intense grief, overwhelming pain, etc.) that to try to help meet someone else's need would add to the burden that the first person carries. Both people have legitimate needs (comfort, food, shelter, rest, etc.) but both really need someone who has the necessary thing to meet their needs. Hope that makes sense!
As usual, your word and sound choices are excellent:
shelves/share
feed/food
(liked those sound repetitions in particular)
nice use of "when" to start both the 1st/4th lines (draws together the lines that highlight the tragic irony of this situation)
Excellent work, as always! Good luck in the contest. Laura
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 02-Aug-2009
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Laura, I intended for hunger (personified) to be the guest so that the host could not, in effect, feed him/herself, but many people interpreted hunger came calling as an actual hungry guest. And that works too! I like that poetry can do that - an author's intention is not necessarily what others read, but their interpretation can be just as interesting. Thanks for your thoughtful response. Brooke : -)
Comment from S.Yocom
This is a meaningful little Naani poem, Brooke. Unfortunately, it tells a true story in too many families, especially these days.
Sally
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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This is a meaningful little Naani poem, Brooke. Unfortunately, it tells a true story in too many families, especially these days.
Sally
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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Yes, it is a timely and accurate poem, I fear. Thanks, Sally. Brooke
Comment from Rabianabian
Again, your rhythm and flow are absolutely flawless. What a great job. I have no suggestions and found no mistakes. Excellent work.
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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Again, your rhythm and flow are absolutely flawless. What a great job. I have no suggestions and found no mistakes. Excellent work.
Comment Written 01-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2009
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Mary, thank you. :-) I appreciate your kind comments, as always :-) Brooke
