Comment from Wabigoon

Excellent

Hi Ulla--
I have trouble with the first line. I think you're using "soars" as a noun here? As in "flame wings" or "flame tongues" etc. Or yes, could be, I guess, "flame soars, travels far?" If so some sort of punctuation needs to be in there. In any event I am confused.

All too true around here and up north in Canada. My son is a Federal forest fighter.

Best
Jeff

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2016

Hi Jeff, thanks a lot and I have edited quite a lot and think it reads ok now. More like a proper haiku should read. I'm learning all the time. We live in the mountains and so far have had three fires close to us within the last three days. Frightening. But we are in severe drought for the fifth year running. All the best. Ulla:))

Comment from Marykelly

Excellent

The image of the flame devouring all in its way is very dramatic and intimidating.
The haiku is a very short poem but requires a complex presentation. You have created a vivid image and the emotion is one of concern for the possible damage the fire could do.

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 29-May-2016

Thank you so much, very much appreciated. All the best. Ulla:))

Comment from tony bronk

Excellent

I really like your third line. The third line settles the haiku. I just wonder if you changed the first line to : "flame(s) soar, travel far" it gives you a 'MIGHTY, MORE DANGER LIKE FEELING. Plus, a haiku is completely minus of capital letters, and punctuation. For real. I like the haiku so much, that you keep the five. Tony Bronk

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 29-May-2016

Thanks very much. I did a lot of changes. Thanks for your suggestions. I'm learning. All the best. Ulla:))

reply by tony bronk on 29-May-2016

I guess the English version of a haiku does allow punctuation like commas, ellipses, - My advice came from Japanese haiku Just no capitalization. Some stubborn people do though, so you decide for yourself. I hope i haven't more confused you? Tony Bronk

reply by the author on 29-May-2016

Not at all, it has been very helpful in fact. So new to poetry as I am a prose person, and English is not my first language either. This has helped a lot. Ulla:)))

Comment from Liberty Justice

Excellent

Five 5 stars. Short and sweet tale of summer. One can tell because summer brings heat and flames devouring everything in its path. Such beautiful landscape. Check out mine also dear poet friend. liberty justice

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 29-May-2016

Thanks very much. Will do. All the best. Ulla:))

reply by Liberty Justice on 29-May-2016

Check mine out also dear friend. Good luck contest.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Five years? Goodness, we hardly have 5 days without it! And that's in the summer! This is an excellent haiku, Ulla, simple, succinct and perfectly presented. I would be worrying now, if I lived near any woodlands or forests. I hope you are well away from dangerous areas? Good luck in the contest, my friend. xsx Sandra

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 29-May-2016

Oh, lucky you, Sandra, please send some down here please. No, we are not out of danger. It's very real in fact. We live in the mountains, with a breathtaking view to the Med, but we always fear the fires. They spring up from nowhere. We are so tinder dry. We did have to evacuate once. It's not only our house we fear for, but we are farming our trees. We have quite a lot of land. Well, it's the same for everybody of course. We all fear for our beautiful valley. Ulla xxx

Comment from Cumbrianlass

Excellent

Excellent, Ulla. And this particular issue has been so much in the news lately, too. Clever use of word play, and I applaud the image you've created with this.
Well done. I hope you do well in this contest.

Av

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Thank you very much Av, and for your good wishes. All the best. Ulla:))

Comment from enitsalemap

Excellent

The thought of wild fires every summer is terrifying. I like your imagery of flames devouring. This is a nice Haiku but capitals are not usually used in them. Hope you do well in the contest. Good Luck.

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 31-May-2016

Thank you very much and for our good wishes. All the best. Ulla:)

Comment from brenda bickers

Excellent

Hi Ulla,
this is a good Haiku,
I love the image and the words are very good, summer and drought must be so scary. I hope you get rain soon.
Brenda:))x

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 31-May-2016

Hi Brenda, thanks a lot for this, and sorry for the late answer, got visitors, and cherries and writing as you know. All the best. Ulla:)))

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi, Ulla

= I can certainly relate to this, having been evacuated because of a fire.
= They stopped one street short of dropping retardant on our street/house.
= Excellent haiku entry. Good luck!

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Thanks a lot Jax, for this great review and good wishes. All the best. Ulla:))

Comment from Ginger Banks

Excellent

Wow, this Haiku conveys so much imagery and flavor in so few words it's amazing. Carrying such truths and expressing the additional sorrows of Summer is a difficult task which you have done well. Very well said and keep up the good work!

 Comment Written 27-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Thank you so very much. I'm glad you liked it. All the best. Ulla:))

reply by Ginger Banks on 03-Jun-2016

You're most welcome, I sincerely meant what I said.