Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written humorous poem. You got it quite right to hug a tree will be a rough experience and a few insect bites may occur in strange places. Lol.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 27-Sep-2016

I think you mean familiar places, Sandra! ;-)
Thank you for your compliments!

Comment from Mystic Angel 7777

Excellent

This meets the contest requirements nicely with a correct theme, line and syllable count. You take a very creative approach and it would have worked well for me except for the use of "these" since it does not tell me what "these" are without the picture and the words should work with or without the artwork. I wish you all the best in the voting and thank you very much for sharing it.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 27-Sep-2016

Thanks for the excellent rating notwithstanding your concerns, Mystic Angel! You do have a valid point, but making that change would mean forsaking my quadruple rhyme, and squeezing the juice out of my navel. (I couldn't resist that one, either. ;-))

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Hello, my friend. Fine syllable count. The presentation is funny so is your poem. LOL

I will take your word for it. He looks happy.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 27-Sep-2016

Thank you for the compliments, Rose! It's very rewarding to me that you enjoyed the humor.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

Your 5-7-5 poem is a great idea but the poem is entirely reliant on the picture to 'get' the joke - you need to write so that the writing stands on its own and then you can adorn it any way you like, yes? (For example, one simple word change = from "these" to "girls" and your poem is now able to stand alone.)

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 27-Sep-2016

Thanks for the excellent rating notwithstanding your concerns, Dawn! You do have a valid point, but making that change would mean forsaking my quadruple rhyme, and squeezing the juice out of my navel. (I couldn't resist that one, either. ;-))

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is a good entry for the tree hugger-NOT contest. Just kidding. We all love trees, who doesn't. I can't stand to see a tree cut down. Save them all, I say. Much luck with your entry for the contest. Marilyn

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

I trust you to keep this a secret, Marilyn. I'm really not anti-tree. It's just that they're so aloof. I know from personall experience, they don't reciprocate when hugged. Not one to retaliate, I turned the other cheek, and, well, you read the poem. Thanks for your support!
Don

Comment from WalkerMan

Excellent

Ha! I like this twist on the theme. Trees do notice when given caring attention, but the human response is more obvious and satisfying -- and humans usually have smoother bark with a bit more "give" to it when squeezed. Well done.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

Thanks, WalkerMan! I'm glad you see it my way!

reply by WalkerMan on 27-Sep-2016

You're welcome. I love trees, but prefer to hug women -- especially women who hug back enthusiastically. :)) -- Mike

Comment from winnona

Excellent

I am not quite sure if this completes the challenge of the contest , but your syllable count is good. Your words flow nicely combining and forming the message of the poem to the reader.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

Thanks for the excellent rating, and complimentary comments, Winnona, despite your misgivings about the poem's acceptability.

The title of the contest is 'Tree Hugger 5-7-5,' and the prompt requires a poem about a tree, trees, or forest.
It doesn't specify that it must be pro trees, so I believe that a poem that expresses a distain for hugging trees, or any other opinion, should be a qualified entry. Don't you?

Comment from rspoet

Excellent

Not quite sure you met the requirement of the theme
The mention of a splinter and the word tree
doesn't seem to make it
I'm sure some will agree with the sentiment though
and would rather have hug a body than a tree
Good luck with the committee
On fanstory, you never know

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

Hi, RS - Thanks for the excellent rating, despite your misgivings about the poem's acceptability.
The title of the contest is 'Tree Hugger 5-7-5,' and the prompt requires a poem about a tree, trees, or forest.
It doesn't specify that it must be pro trees, so I believe that a poem that expresses a distain for hugging trees, or any other opinion, should be a qualified entry. But, as you say, 'On fanstory, you never know.'

Comment from Amy Greta

Excellent

This one made me smile! From the intro "to tree or not to tree" to the perfect picture to the last line...it oozes with clever creativity. A very fun (and smooth) read!
Amy

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

Thank you for your appreciative and insightful review, Amy! My others also have been complimentary, but I find yours most rewarding.

(The stodgy Committee thinks the poem is not pro-trees enough.)

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

I think I get the gist of this, though for some reason your picture has been replaced on my iPad by a liitle blue square with a question mark in it. Probably best left to my imagination what gorgeous thing you are hugging! A novel response to this perennial challenge! Good luck with it!

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

---

reply by the author on 26-Sep-2016

Thank you for the compliments, Tony! Your iPad is decidedly Puritanical blue-penciling my illustration. While I easily could have gone x-rated, the picture (visible on my more sensible iPad) shows a happy young man being hugged and kissed on each cheek by two very attractive young women. Sorry if i burst your bubble!