Comment from heyjude

Excellent

mystery author, well done. Yes, if we really look
at our lives we can see most of us don't have much
to complain about compared to young children and
they still smile. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you, heyjude, I appreciate your encouraging review. It would appear that I am going to need all of the luck that I can get, my friend.

Always a pleasure.:}

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

What an absolutely noble senryu, and very, very true - the suffering we see on the cancer wards is horrendous, but in the children's wing, heart shattering. Bless you for this - if I had a six I would rate this powerful poem as it deserves.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

I would definitely have to agree with you on that, Dawn. Whether it's worthy of six stars remains to be seen (LOL), although highlighting the plight and bravery of these little kids was my primary concern.

We'll see just how "good" it is when the smoke clears and the contest is finally over, I suppose.

Thanks for such a wonderfully thoughtful review. :}

Comment from Eternal Muse

Excellent

This was powerful. That dear little girl with cancer holding a Unicorn. They are innocent little things, aren't they? How does God allow it?

I loved how you phrased it - their innocent smiles render our own self-pity insignificant.

A very powerful offering which doubtless will do well in the contest.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you very much, Yelena, and I certainly hope you are right. The bravery of these little children stricken with cancer rivals that of the bravery of men in battle. How they maintain such a positive outlook on their lives in truly an inspiration.

Thanks so much for your encouraging and thoughtful review. I'm very grateful. :}

reply by Eternal Muse on 25-Oct-2014

Dean, thank you for.the reply. I just realized, there has been a huge misunderstanding, you are on my mute
list ! It is an error, my friend, I dont know hpw it happened. Ill take you off immediately.

reply by Eternal Muse on 25-Oct-2014

My home computer caught a.virus,.using my cell phone tried to get into "contacts" to uunmute you, but was unable to from my cell phone have to wait till I get to a real computer. Sorry my friend

Comment from Nosha17

Excellent

You are right, how selfish of us to think our problems are of significance in comparison to the suffering of these wee mites. Well chosen words and distinctive photo. Good luck in the contest. Faye

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you very much, Faye. I'm sincerely thankful for your review and words of encouragement. :}

Comment from Just2Write

Excellent

Excellent Senryu - a message that makes one reflect on our selfish thoughts of self-pity when compared to the struggles of others (especially children) who face adversity with courage, and a smile. Loved this poem.
Rose.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you so much, Rose, and I'm so very happy that you enjoyed it. It's true, many (or most) of our problems pale in comparison to what these brave, smiling children and their poor parents are forced to endure. We learn just how precious life and personal health are if we ever happen to stroll through a cancer unit of any children's hospital.

I'm very grateful for your encouraging review and kind comments. :}

Comment from acerisestory

Excellent

This is a well written senryu which makes an a strong statement, mystery poet.

Your satori is very impactful. Your accompanying photo complements your words perfectly.

Best of luck in the contest! Alana

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you very much, Alana. I'm truly happy that you took the time to read the senryu and leave me your comments. They are very encouraging and so very much appreciated!

God bless...

Comment from Dom G Robles

Excellent

If children brave as they are can smile in spite of their affliction of cancer, that overshadows our pitying ourselves.
It seems insignificant, the writer suggests. Writer's viewpoint. Worth considering.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thanks, Dom, and perhaps I'm only speaking from my point of view, my friend, but I doubt it. I know that when I walk though the cancer ward of any children's hospital my problems, or any feelings I might have concerning feeling sorry for myself, for whatever reason, never fails to pale in comparison to what those brave children have to endure each and everyday to simply survive and take another breath. But, maybe you're different and it doesn't bother you as much as it does me.

We're all different, and that's what makes this Big Blue Marble on which we all live such an interesting place to live...

Thanks for your review.

reply by Dom G Robles on 23-Oct-2014

Oh, no, it bothers me really. When my brother had that colon cancer and he was in pain, I wished, instead that some kind Kivorkian (?) would have ended his life because I can't endure the pain that he was in. Instead of watching him, I asked leave from his wife. I cared a lot as I cared for any of those brave children who can even smile in spite of what they are in. They are significant to me. To say that it does not bother me is a wrong conception...But poems can be a subject of many interpretation specially when it is just a 2 or 3-line poem--a Senryu. Dom

reply by Dom G Robles on 23-Oct-2014

Oh, no, it bothers me really. When my brother had that colon cancer and he was in pain, I wished, instead that some kind Kivorkian (?) would have ended his life because I can't endure the pain that he was in. Instead of watching him, I asked leave from his wife. I cared a lot as I cared for any of those brave children who can even smile in spite of what they are in. They are significant to me. To say that it does not bother me is a wrong conception...But poems can be a subject of many interpretation specially when it is just a 2 or 3-line poem--a Senryu. Dom

reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

I didn't say it doesn't bother you, Dom. I said maybe -- and the key word there is "maybe" -- it doesn't bother you as much as it does me, that's all. Everything affects people in different ways. Seeing kids with cancer is harrowing for me, but it may not be so much to you.

That's all.

reply by Dom G Robles on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you, dear. No problem. Cheers! Dom

reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Cheers to you as well, Dom. :}

Comment from ravenblack

Excellent

Very true. I had a cousin who spent a lot of time in the children's ward. We can learn a lot from them. They are brave, happy warriors.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thank you, Ed. My brother's ex-wife's youngest daughter died of leukemia when she was just nine. She was such a brave little girl, so full of hope and promise. Cancer is such a vile disease. But it seems especially brutal when it happens to an innocent child.

I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful review.

Comment from drivenbackward

Excellent

Such a good point. I can't stand when people complain about petty things. At the same time, they have this great struggle and appreciate life. Amazing.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Very true, Dan, and that's precisely the point of this senryu. Our problems pale in comparison when we take a stroll through the halls of a children's cancer ward, that's for certain.

Thanks for your encouraging comments. This isn't doing too well in the voting booth right now, so they are even more appreciated. :}

Comment from TKField

Excellent

Indeed, words to live by. Our petty problems pale in significance when compared to some. So the next time you get road rage or blow up because the drive through forgot your ketchup, remember other people are facing much worse. Real problems of life and death. This Hi-Coo is a reminder to be thankful you are healthy and mobile. Good luck in the thing.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Oct-2014

Thanks, TK, I appreciate you taking time out to read and review this senryu for me. Thanks for wishing me luck in the contest as well. By the looks of things, I'm really gonna' need it!