Comment from Judy Couch

Excellent

This is excellent. It has good rhyme and rhythm. It tells a nostalgic story of the past and stirs my imagination. I can see in my mind the things you described.

 Comment Written 13-May-2016

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reply by the author on 14-May-2016

Thank you so much, Judy. I'm delighted you enjoyed my poem. :) Sandra xx

Comment from Susanne M. Psyris

Excellent

Excellent sonnet for your writing group. Great piece for the Poem of the Month contest. Wish you much luck in the contest. Loved the picture that inspired the poem. Well-written and rhymed throughout. Found nothing to change/edit in this great work. Good luck in Poem of the Month contest. God bless and hugs, Susanne

 Comment Written 12-May-2016

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reply by the author on 12-May-2016

Thank you so much, Susanne, for your really lovely review. I do appreciate your kind words. Bless you! :) Sandra

Comment from alexisleech

Exceptional

Beautiful, Sandra. With your usual perfect rhyme and meter, you have transported me to another place and time. I'm sorry I haven't been on a line for a while, but until Tuesday this week, my satellite dish only seemed to work when there was no cloud and the French were all asleep - infact most of the time for ten days. I at last heard back from the dish provider on Monday, and they confirmed it wasn't aligned properly, so I tried the 'brush' technique again, and fingers crossed, I've been on line continuously since then. I've had three guests in between Wednesday and Friday though (as well as two last weekend) so this weekend has been my first chance to Skype or review for over two weeks. I might have a stinking cough/cold, but it's nice to get the house back to myself again! I tried Skyping you to catch up, but haven't managed to get you yet. Just let me know when you can chat.

Love and hugs from France,

Alexis xxx

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 23-Apr-2016

Hi Stranger! Thank you so much for the 6 stars! you are a love! So, there was me thinking you had run off with your farmer friend, and all the time you were poking your poor dish with your broom again! LOL. Let's hope it stays on now. Youve had a cough too? You are in a bad way. Sorry I must have been in the garden when you Skyped me, my hearing is terrible, I do have some hearing aids, but with my Tinnitus, it makes it worse and hurts, and I cannot afford one of those hearing aids that don't go into the ear. So, there we go, my ears and your dish! Graham is seriously looking at us coming to see you in September, he has bought a French road map now, lol!

I am going to get into my pyjamas now, I know it's early, but we haven't got anyone coming so I am going to relax for a while. I am out for a bit in the morning, but if you have your laptop on I will Skype you when I get back, or you can me, if you see me first. I am totally knackered. We have a lot to catch up on. xxxxx Big hugs and lots of love from sunny England! xxx

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

I'm SO sorry I've been so negligent! I am trying desperately to keep up, but what with my battle with the downstairs neighbour (which has finally gone to the hearing - not perfectly resolved, but I'm praying enough of a kick in the behind to make him QUIT smoking is weed indoors) and this terrible cold I can't shed, I am online so much less than usual. I'd be worried about the cold because it's over two months now, except apparently a LOT of people have had the same trouble this year. The screwy weather, I think, and allergies.

Anyway, my friend - on to your beautiful poem! Sandra, if I wasn't so darn late reviewing this I would have to give it a six - it is marvelous - sublime cadence and imagery, such wonderful, nostalgic sentiment evoked!

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016

Hi Dawn, I will keep my fingers all crossed for you that this hearing will get that neighbour to stop that awful smoking, it really must be awful for you. Never worry about the reviewing, dear, I have been just as busy and haven't been able to get on here as mush as I would like, life gets in the way some times and it can't be helped. When I opened my messages just now, it has 150 in there, it really is daunting!

Thank you for reading my poem, dear Dawn, that was sweet of you, and thank you for the nice things you said. Once you are over this hearing, we will have a natter, are you on Messenger? Good luck my friend! Lots of love, xxx Sandra

Comment from heyjude

Exceptional

Sandra, you've done an excellent job with this poem that goes
very well with the picture of the gate. It is sad to see old houses
or gates and family lands that have gone to ruin.

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 15-Apr-2016

Thank you so very much, Judy, for the lovely 6 stars and for the lovely review. That was so kind of you! I see this happening a lot now on the Isle of Wight, a small island just off the South coast of England. Many are losing their homes this way. I'm pleased you like my take on the picture. :) Sandra xxx

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

A lovely sonnet that is also an ode to that gate. Your imagery of what once was, and the forces causing abandonment is outstanding an the picture is painted with your wonderful words. I really enjoyed this.

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 15-Apr-2016

Thank you so much, Tom! I loved the picture and the words just came for this one. You really must join the group, you don't have to do it every week, but I know you would be great at finding words for the challenge pictures. :) Sandra xx

Comment from Sherylsart

Excellent

Very Nice! I like the way you brought in the ocean creeping up on the land. I was thinking that it looked like water in the background, but wasn't sure. It is sad that it is happening all over the world, very slowly now, but much more to come in the future. This is an excellent interpretation of the picture Thank you for sharing it.

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016

Thank you, Sheryl. You are right, I live near where this is actually happening now, houses falling off the cliffs that have been eroded away with the tides. There is no stopping the ocean. :) Sandra xsx

Comment from rhymelord

Excellent

Dear Sandra,
You have taken a mundane object and endowed with a rich and detailed history. Your execution of verse is faultless (but what's new). Delightful read.
Reg

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016

Hi Reg, I haven't seen you for a while, I hope you are well? Thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I once wrote a poem about a 'brick' for a friend of mine, lol! xsx Sandra

Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens

Excellent

Nicely done, Sandra
Each poem for this challenge has been a joy to read.
Yours is no exception.. I loved the lines :
Once, children played there happily from dawn till early dusk,
in gardens full of shrubs and plants, exuding fragrant musk.
This describes our family of sibling to a tee.
We would play out 'til dark, I can just smell the sweet night air. Then we would swing on the gate in the semi darkness, just because, we could.....
:-) Carolyn

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016

The first image that came to me with this picture, was me swinging on the garden gate which looked the same as this one. They were such happy days. I am really pleased you saw your childhood in my poem, Carolyn, thank you so much for your lovely review. :) Sandra. xx

Comment from Chris Walker

Excellent

This writing has such a soft tone to it--like looking back at memories. I like how the gate stood "as sentinel for what had been, and was no longer there." Wonderful meter and rhyme here as well. Chris

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016

Hi Chris, thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm really pleased you enjoyed my poem. :) Sandra xx