Reviews from

The Dream

Blank verse - unrhymed iambic pentameter - competition

39 total reviews 
Comment from adewpearl
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have always loved the story of Icarus and Daedalus :-)
you've avoided rhyme well
good use of steady iambic meter
good use of enjambment
great visuals, thoughtful message
good alliteration in phrases like dreams don't die
Brooke

 Comment Written 25-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, Brooke. Appreciated! Tony
Comment from sgalletti
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What an absolutely stunning, superb example of Blank Verse Tony! You humble me for even choosing to submit an entry when this masterpiece sits in the booth. I took a remarkable class on Blank Verse with Ray and it was wonderful. I learned a lot. Primarily, I was "rhyme challenged" as I tend to write naturally in rhyme and could not, for the life of me, even recognize when I was using it. But, I DO recognize quality - and your poem is loaded with it. Impeccable iambic meter, wonderful long epic tale, perfect for the medium of Blank Verse, beautiful metaphor and development of the story in a highly poetic fashion, despite the lack of rhyme. Wonderful use of enjambment, and just the right use of alliteration and consonance, such that it adds to the poetic nature of the poem without being distracting. I also love the soft presentation, although it isn't needed because the poem itself is so superb. Best of luck in the contest! Your poem is a strong contender, for sure. Sue

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 25-Mar-2015
    Thanks very much, Sue! I very much appreciate your kind words and the six stars. No need to be self-deprecating about your entry either! I was most impressed by it!
reply by sgalletti on 25-Mar-2015
    Thanks Tony! I was quite thrilled with the reviews and reaction to it. It was truly a labor of love. Yours is beautiful! Sue
Comment from Treischel
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow Tony, this work truly is a blank verse masterpiece. The story, as it weaves from moth to artist to boy to jay, is expertly crafted in its iambic flow on imagination of flight. It blends myth with realty in a fabulous blend of imagery. Lots of alliteration. It flows like the dream in its title. I was as mesmerized as that moth. Bravo! If this doesn't win, something is wrong. I'll watch for the contest tomorrow and vote for this. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 25-Mar-2015
    Thanks, Tom, for this most complimentary review and six stars. Very much appreciated!
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Nicely done, Tony.
A journey, indeed. To see , through imagery, the flight of the moth and the path and time surrounding it, has little difference to our own lives, if be it shorter. The kite and the boy provides metaphors in abundance if only we care to look for them and read between the lines.
Great write.
Good luck in the competition.
RG

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, my friend, for your kind review and stars. Very much appreciated. Tony.
Comment from amahra
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is an awesome Blank Verse poem. I've never tried one. I really liked the story in the poem. Or should I say, a kind of folklore. Great entry for the contest. Great job.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, Amahra, for your encouraging words! Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from ravenblack
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

From larva to moth to artist to boy and finally to birds, you have truly made a natural epic of Icarus. This could serve as a primer on how blank verse is done. I am blown away by the sheer scope of this poem, your different takes on that momentous flight.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, Ed, for your most complimentary six-star review. Very much appreciated! Sorry about the late reply - my internet has been down for most of the past ten days. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from c_lucas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Man should never forget his limitations. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very interesting read. Your poem has good imagery.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Thanks, Charllie. I appreciate your review. Best wishes, Tony.
reply by c_lucas on 27-Mar-2015
    You're welcome,Tony. Charlie
Comment from Lovinia
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Tony

The image and your poem are a prefect complement to each other. Intrigue, pursuit of a dream and not knowing the consequences, combined with perfect imagery where the beauty and magnificence of your words and phrasing dominate and draw your reader through an epic of entertainment, yet more than that, the reader feels the essence of flight and its majesty, especially for those who's desire to fly or watch the motion and miracle of flight as it comes to fruition, sometimes instinctually as in the fauna and others by imagination, and consequence of great diligence and observance of their craft. OMG - you inspired an epic sentence. lol

Your superb phrasing is sublime and too numerous to copy here, I'll give just one example:

"Just then a passing jay of vivid blue,
attracted by the ribboned tail that swung,
as does the fisher's fly on swirling pool,
alighted, snatched the prize with gleeful cry
and flew to line his nest with bunting, gay
as any found at fairs throughout the land,
then perched, to dream the flight of fledglings three."

* One nit: I may be wrong, I wonder if three at the end of the last line above is a rhyme with "beauty" on the next line below?? Just mentioning for you to check.

I think your conclusive two lines tell the tale ... you could move on here and write forever about those fertile minds which dare to dream. Superb for the contest and a sure contender for highest placement. Though I expect some highly talented writing in this contest. I wish you the best of luck. Hugs - Lovi xoxo

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, Lovi, for your most complimentary six-star review. Very much appreciated! I have checked back with Ray. The 'three/beauty' is OK, as the natural stress in beauty falls on the first syllable. Sorry about the late reply - my internet has been down for most of the past ten days. Best wishes, Tony.
reply by Lovinia on 02-Apr-2015
    Hi Tony

    My pleasure. Congratulations on your win. I feel I've already answered you ... though i've ben losing a lot of reviews and having to re-do them, sometimes a number of times. My computer is back on deck, so I know what you mean without internet! Best wishes to you and have a great Easter week-end. I hope your weather is better than ours, it's supposed to rain all week-end. Hugs - Lovi xoxo
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow. This is quite a story you've told in verse here, Tony. It's great when you give us information as well as your beautiful poetry. I enjoyed this story part where the moth emerges from the cocoon.

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Thanks, Giddy. I appreciate your review. Sorry about the late reply. My internet has been down off and on for the past ten days. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from livelylinda
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Tony: Wowser! It felt like as you were writing this superb poem, you got carried away and went flying with the butterfly and boy and kite. And, you take the reader on this marvelous journey with you. Another "Never Ending Story" . . . . goes on and on and on . . . Linda

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2015


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015
    Many thanks, Linda, for your most complimentary six-star review. Very much appreciated! Sorry about the late reply - my internet has been down for most of the past ten days. Best wishes, Tony.