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Viewing comments for Chapter 35 "Upon Their Backs"
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18 total reviews 
Comment from Teri7
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Mike, This is a very beautiful poem you have penned about freedom. You used such great descriptive words that jumped out of the computer as I read them. Such beautiful imagery from the art work. Blessings my friend!

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    What lovely words to here. I so pleased you enjoyed. Thanks a million, Teri. mike
Comment from Michael Ludwinder
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I love how you format your poems. It's like a poem within a poem within a poem. That includes your imagery which are wonderfully complimenting of the words. I enjoyed your writing. The imagery was powerful (from the words) and this was a joy to read.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    Great to hear, Michael
    Some people have a problem with the formatting, so it's great to hear it works for you. It's a part of free verse to format a certain way, to highlight words by the way they appear on the page etc. Anyway, THANKS so much. mike
Comment from barbara.wilkey
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Your poem hit a lot of history in a short poem. You didn't mention how many of the slaves other Black Americans brought over. That number really surprised me when I discovered it. I couldn't believe it. Great job.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    It is a shocking fact to discover. I also had women in mind as I wrote this. It occurred to me that the women on these ships had very few rights themselves. So, that was a part of it and why I ended with Lady Liberty. Anyway, you are on the same page with me. Thanks so much. :)) mike
Comment from frierajac
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You have the amazing illustration to your piece that has a rhythm which the 1st part of your poem mimics and the words are arranged in a visual fashion. The 2d part of this is a prose poem that incorporate the typeset of a more ancient #.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    Thanks so much. I really appreciate that you enjoyed the presentation. I spend a lot of time formatting it just so. It makes a huge difference in free verse, especially with minimal punctuation. :)) mike
Comment from country ranch writer
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It was shameful in those days both black and white were used as slaves till their bonds were severed with inthe changes of times within the world all were rescued brim inbreeding. It is a shame in some parts of the world it is still happening within the best offamilies

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    Yep. I wonder if we'll ever learn. I was thinking of the women on those ships too. They had few rights either, no vote, no say in affairs of the day ... kind of like slaves too. That was on my mind too when I wrote this. Thanks so much. I hope you are hanging in there and well. :)) mike
reply by country ranch writer on 26-Oct-2017
    We are trying
Comment from sandy montgomery
Exceptional
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Beautiful presentation. Beautiful words describing a very ugly reality. You created a compelling free verse. You used powerful imagery. The use of different type face and font enhanced your piece. Thank you for sharing your work.

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    Yay! You mentioned everything I was trying to do. :))
    I'm so pleased you enjoyed. I was happy with this one which is rare for me. Thanks a million. mike
Comment from Sasha
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Hello stranger. It seems you are back on my list. You haven't lost your talent for artistic presentation. This is a powerful poem that is filled with thought provoking observations. I love the gentle build up to the final verse. Please excuse me but I must recommend you read Surcease by Emptypage. She is one of the best writers on this site but doesn't get the attention I feel she deserves. Surcease is a powerful, heat breaking and superbly written non-fiction story about the agony she is currently experiencing. She has been ill most of her young life and a terrific writer that can make you laugh and cry at the same time. I was shocked when I read this and saw that she had only received 11 reviews so I promoted it and it should now be at the top of the first page. I do hope you read this, if you have not already done so. I promise it will knock your socks off.


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 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    Hi, My friend
    So pleased you enjoyed this. I had women in mind as I wrote this. They were somewhat slaves too in my thinking, very few rights etc.
    I DID as you suggested and read Ms. Page's piece. Wow. Heartbreaking indeed. I'm familiar with her but I don't review much anymore so I appreciate you sending me that way. Damn, I wish I could do something or even SAY something. Well, some online hugs are all I have and all the good wishes in the world. I have a friend who recovered from sepsis. Not sure if that is ALL she's suffering from, it sounds worse. Good things happen. We'll see, yes? Take care, mike
reply by Sasha on 26-Oct-2017
    She was SEVERELY abused by her mother as a child that caused numerous internal organ injuries. She has has sepsis, meningitis, and numerous other infectious illness her entire life. She is a lovely, talented, and well educated woman but has a life expectancy of 1-5 years. I love her dearly and this just breaks my heart. If you get the opportunity go to her profile and read My Mother, My God, she has only gotten to chapter 13 but it is the beginning (and probably the end of her book).
Comment from GracieAnn
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Mikey,
This is a thought-provoking write that one would have to read more than once. I suppose for some this is full of truth when they took their first steps on the shores of The New World. There were many who did not enslave, as you know. To me the worst lot fell to the Native Americans. Creative write. :0 GracieAnn

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 Comment Written 23-Oct-2017


reply by the author on 26-Oct-2017
    So true, Gracie. The Native Americans really got the worst deal of all. I had women in mind also when I wrote this. I was thinking of them coming over on the boats with very few rights themselves and what a struggle it's been to this day etc. Amen, not all enslaved. That should not be forgotten and it's seldom even considered I think. Thanks so much. mike