rondels and rondeaus
Viewing comments for Chapter 15 "Against All Odds"rondels and rondeaus
98 total reviews
Comment from DecrepitOldBag
Another terrific rondeau, Brooke. And on a subject close to my heart - the special Olympics. You are right, in all of life, we all run our race at our own pace.
Absolutely faultless. A pleasure to read.
Warmest wishes
Kat
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2009
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Another terrific rondeau, Brooke. And on a subject close to my heart - the special Olympics. You are right, in all of life, we all run our race at our own pace.
Absolutely faultless. A pleasure to read.
Warmest wishes
Kat
Comment Written 26-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2009
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This a tribute to Teddy's sister - both of them in so short a period of time - thank you, Kat. Brooke
Comment from Helen Tan
I've just returned from Hong Kong and have been busy of late preparing for my first public talk last Sunday. Now I'm catching up on reviews.
This is an inspirational poem...faith is important to nudge us on in realising our dreams. What is life without faith and dreams?
Good luck in the contest.
or tortoise in its heavy shell,
we run toward victory's embrace.
I feel like I'm a turtle writer and I think that I started this serious writing a bit late in my life. Maybe that's just what God intended for me. As I feel I have much to write about, yet I'm so slow, I tend to make whatever I write as perfect as possible. I also treasure this opportunity more...I will arrive one day.
Defeat's a word that has no place
within a life that bears no trace
of cowardice, so say farewell
to doubts that deep within you dwell
and run with gusto, grit and grace
against all odds.
I love this verse...it gives me the image of the opening scene of Chariots of Fire when all the runners race on the beach, training and aiming for that ultimate goal and dream.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2009
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I've just returned from Hong Kong and have been busy of late preparing for my first public talk last Sunday. Now I'm catching up on reviews.
This is an inspirational poem...faith is important to nudge us on in realising our dreams. What is life without faith and dreams?
Good luck in the contest.
or tortoise in its heavy shell,
we run toward victory's embrace.
I feel like I'm a turtle writer and I think that I started this serious writing a bit late in my life. Maybe that's just what God intended for me. As I feel I have much to write about, yet I'm so slow, I tend to make whatever I write as perfect as possible. I also treasure this opportunity more...I will arrive one day.
Defeat's a word that has no place
within a life that bears no trace
of cowardice, so say farewell
to doubts that deep within you dwell
and run with gusto, grit and grace
against all odds.
I love this verse...it gives me the image of the opening scene of Chariots of Fire when all the runners race on the beach, training and aiming for that ultimate goal and dream.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2009
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What was your talk about, Helen? I'm sure it was a hit! What a wonderful film for you to think of while reading my poem - I'm delighted with that comparison and with your exceptional rating. Thank you for such generosity :-) Brooke
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The talk was on growing orchids vertically, how to remove orchids from pots, bulb them with moss, mount them on logs for hanging on trellis, lattices etc. The crowd was enthusiastic ( around 100) and the National Park organisers had to chase me off stage a couple of times as the next speaker had to set up his stuff. I didn't expect that amount of interest.
I trembled but once I started...it was almost as if someone else took over my body and I managed to zip through it. =D
Comment from tonydem
It is always heartwarming to see the children and adults at the Special Olympics. I love the determination on there faces while they're competing. And there friends and family who cheer on the sidelines show enormous amounts of support.
Nice job with the notes for those people who didn't know how the Special Olympics came about. As usual the poem is superb.
Tony
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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It is always heartwarming to see the children and adults at the Special Olympics. I love the determination on there faces while they're competing. And there friends and family who cheer on the sidelines show enormous amounts of support.
Nice job with the notes for those people who didn't know how the Special Olympics came about. As usual the poem is superb.
Tony
Comment Written 17-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Tony - I was surprised to learn quite a few people did not know about the history of the organization or Shriver's ties to it :-) Brooke
Comment from Steve Pantazis
I don't know if I'm in just a fantastic mood or your tribute moved me or your words were deeply profound, but this piece stood out among the rest. Fantastic work!
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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I don't know if I'm in just a fantastic mood or your tribute moved me or your words were deeply profound, but this piece stood out among the rest. Fantastic work!
Comment Written 17-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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Thank you, I truly appreciate your high praise and generosity :-) Brooke
Comment from FredCollingwood
She did a great thing for many people, by starting those olympics, and you wrote a wonderful tribute to her. Great job!
Fred
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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She did a great thing for many people, by starting those olympics, and you wrote a wonderful tribute to her. Great job!
Fred
Comment Written 17-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Fred - I so wanted to honor her :-) Brooke
Comment from Freeflyer
This is a lovely tribute to Eunice Kennedy. Even people who have no disadvantages could be guided by her fight to be the best you can for yourself. Good luck in the competition with this fantastic entry.
Freeflyer
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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This is a lovely tribute to Eunice Kennedy. Even people who have no disadvantages could be guided by her fight to be the best you can for yourself. Good luck in the competition with this fantastic entry.
Freeflyer
Comment Written 16-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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Freeflyer, thank you - yes, even those not classified as disabled still need encouragement when the odds seem to be stacked against them :-) Brooke
Comment from LauraKatherine
This poem reminded me of a video clip I saw once of two men who "ran" marathons together. It was a father running the race as he pushed his wheelchair-bound son before him. It was powerful and moving. The dad never set world records or even ran at a competitive level, but he ran towards victory.
It also reminded me of a young man from my mother's church who had MS or something similiar. He could barely walk, but he worked out with a personal trainer/therapist at the same gym as my parents. Mom said he would be straining so hard, working with all his might at a movement that is natural for the rest of us. He would be surrounded my champion weightlifters, body builders, and yet he probably worked harder than all of them together as he chased his dream of walking across the stage to receive his high school diplomma.
I like the running and race imagery.
run our race
God-given pace (great!)
run towards victory's embrace
chase
run with gusto, grit and grace
(wonderful phrase!)
Loved the "g" sound throughout. It sounded like gurgling water, as though I could hear the splashing water in the photo.
One thing I thought of as I read this was how we all have the odds stacked against us (some more than others, of course) and we all must throw off the doubts, refuse to know the meaning of defeat, and run for private victory.
And even though this isn't specifically in the poem, I think it's also a reminder to not look down upon those who are tortoises in areas where I might be a gazelle. What comes easily and swiftly to some doesn't to others. So my job is to both chase my dreams and encourage others to chase theirs, too. Kind of like reviewing on this site, actually. Get feedback for myself so I can grow as a writer; give others encouragement so they can grow, too.
Inspirational poem, Brooke. :)
Laura
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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This poem reminded me of a video clip I saw once of two men who "ran" marathons together. It was a father running the race as he pushed his wheelchair-bound son before him. It was powerful and moving. The dad never set world records or even ran at a competitive level, but he ran towards victory.
It also reminded me of a young man from my mother's church who had MS or something similiar. He could barely walk, but he worked out with a personal trainer/therapist at the same gym as my parents. Mom said he would be straining so hard, working with all his might at a movement that is natural for the rest of us. He would be surrounded my champion weightlifters, body builders, and yet he probably worked harder than all of them together as he chased his dream of walking across the stage to receive his high school diplomma.
I like the running and race imagery.
run our race
God-given pace (great!)
run towards victory's embrace
chase
run with gusto, grit and grace
(wonderful phrase!)
Loved the "g" sound throughout. It sounded like gurgling water, as though I could hear the splashing water in the photo.
One thing I thought of as I read this was how we all have the odds stacked against us (some more than others, of course) and we all must throw off the doubts, refuse to know the meaning of defeat, and run for private victory.
And even though this isn't specifically in the poem, I think it's also a reminder to not look down upon those who are tortoises in areas where I might be a gazelle. What comes easily and swiftly to some doesn't to others. So my job is to both chase my dreams and encourage others to chase theirs, too. Kind of like reviewing on this site, actually. Get feedback for myself so I can grow as a writer; give others encouragement so they can grow, too.
Inspirational poem, Brooke. :)
Laura
Comment Written 16-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2009
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Laura, there is nothing more gratifying than writing a piece for a reader who really really listens to it and thinks about it and relates to it - what a lovely, thoughtful review this is - thank you for sharing your thoughts. Brooke :-)
Comment from StevenJosephBruening
An most excellent entry into the contest and a fittiing tribute to Ms. Shriver. This poem flows well, with wonderful sentiment and adheres to the rondue poetic technique. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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An most excellent entry into the contest and a fittiing tribute to Ms. Shriver. This poem flows well, with wonderful sentiment and adheres to the rondue poetic technique. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 16-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Steven, for your thoughtful response and for your encouragement :-) Yes, she was a wonderful woman. Brooke
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Brooke-
You are most welcome.
~ Steven
Comment from Jo_Tweedy
This one I really like especially the line "We run toward Victory's embrace" This poem has actually given me some strength in a goal I am trying to reach.
People do do things against all odds.
Easy to read was nice read out loud. I like they lay out color and picture all are very refreshing and go well with you poem :-)
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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This one I really like especially the line "We run toward Victory's embrace" This poem has actually given me some strength in a goal I am trying to reach.
People do do things against all odds.
Easy to read was nice read out loud. I like they lay out color and picture all are very refreshing and go well with you poem :-)
Comment Written 16-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Jo - this is a most generous review and I am so appreciative of your generosity. It is always gratifying to hear a poem has connected with a reader on a personal level, so thank you for sharing that also. Brooke :-)
Comment from Mariea
Hello Brooke. I enjoyed how you've depicted the need to succeed, whatever the aim.
Flow - nice fluid movement
Structure - well put together and developed
Rhyme - consistent throughout
Rhythm - good smooth movement
Regards Mia
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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Hello Brooke. I enjoyed how you've depicted the need to succeed, whatever the aim.
Flow - nice fluid movement
Structure - well put together and developed
Rhyme - consistent throughout
Rhythm - good smooth movement
Regards Mia
Comment Written 16-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 16-Aug-2009
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Thank you, Mia, for your positive comments! Brooke
