Reviews from

Zone In

Remove headphones and listen.

66 total reviews 
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An excellent poem, well written in free verse style. It is amazing how much of the real world we block out with our gadgets and gizmos. Best wishes in the contest, my friend~Debbie

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2017
    Yes, Debbie, it's amazing how much of the real world we block out with our gadgets. I am thrilled that my poem resonated with fine reviewers such as you. Thank you for your review.
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
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I totally agree with your. The sounds of nature is so much better that listening to music in earphones. You take in so much more beauty when you are paying more attention to nature.

Keep writing

Good luck in the contest.

Happy Holidays.

Joan

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2017
    Yes, Joan, and when you are paying attention to nature, one may write a poem like this one. Thank you for your review and for wishing me good luck in the contest. I will keep writing.
reply by dragonpoet on 18-Dec-2017
    I know it works that way. I have written several poems while walking through the forest paths by my house. Don't mention it. Good to hear.

    Joan
Comment from angel123
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I really like your free verse poem and I enjoyed reading it. It is well-written and well received. A friend constantly tells me that I should be aware of my surroundings more when I'm outdoors. He thinks it's difficult for me to do so, when walking around with my earphones on listening to music. It's true and I do enjoy nature more when I'm not listening to the music. Best wishes!

Angel123

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
    Yes, Angel123, I enjoy nature more when I am not listen to music, audiobooks, or surfing the web on my phone. Thank you for your generous, six star review. I appreciate it.
Comment from w.j.debi
Excellent
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I am with you--Rip off those headphones. Ther is so much music in the world around us. Not only take time to smell the roses, but listen to the music surrounding them too.

Excellent reminder to 'zone in' and so artfully presented.

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2017
    Oh, thank you, Debi, for your generous review and for agreeing with the rip off those headphones line. I appreciate it.
Comment from Wabigoon
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Sis Cat--
Nicely done. I agree with the "zoning in" idea but unfortunately, I think it is on the way out to zoning in to what ever is on the screen/ Curious, eh?

I am not sure what to make of it. The technological singularity? Could be.

I remember Oakland and this sort of path -- used to live there. Glad they still exist.

Best
Wabigoon/Jeff

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
    Wow, Jeff, you used to live is Oakland? I love the Northern Sacramento Railway Trail. Saturday was the first time I walked it. By the time I came down the mountain, Moses-like, I had the opening lines of this poem. Thank you for your review.
Comment from AndyBrown
Excellent
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A well written entry for the contest- good luck!

The number of people walking around with headphones is really high in the area I'm from. I always see people in the grocery store with them, checked out from the world around them. I get why they do it, but they're missing a lot.

Good job again.

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2017
    Yes, Andy, these headphone wearers are missing a lot. Thank you for your review and for wishing me well in the contest.
Comment from WalkerMan
Excellent
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Yes, I fully agree with you about being aware of one's surroundings, both to enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature and to avoid mishap (or worse) when in an urban setting or driving. Consequently, I own no earbuds; carry no device to play music; and, even when I did have a cellphone years ago, kept it turned off under my seat while driving (just had it for emergencies on the road). Even at home, when I want to focus I turn off the radio that is my daily news and weather source. (I have not owned a television for over two decades.) At my desktop computer, no music plays in the background while I work, and my screen wallpaper has no distracting animation. As you said in your notes, absence of distraction let you begin your poem while out walking. How much other potential creativity is lost by those who crave non-stop entertainment? Well done, and aptly illustrated.

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
    Yes, WalkerMan, I am so amazed at how the absence of distraction birthed this poem that I want to do it again. I could not have written this poem if I had been listening to music or audiobooks. You are right, " How much other potential creativity is lost by those who crave non-stop entertainment?" Thank you for your thorough review.
reply by WalkerMan on 19-Dec-2017
    You are welcome, Andre. Yes, when I need to focus, especially when writing (even reviews), I prefer silence around me. For a poem, my Muse demands it.
    -- Mike
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
Excellent
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This is an excellent piece done as advice how to take in the surroundings instead of just passing them by. Someday they will not be here for us to enjoy. People can use tredmills to get the exercise without going out and listen to headphones and even read.lol
A beauty to behold is nature at its best.

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
    Yes, Barb, a beauty to behold is nature at its best. Thank you for your encouraging review.
Comment from Hitcher
Excellent
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I'm like you friend, i prefere to zone in on each and every sight and sound when i hit the hills, mountains, rivers and lakes of the breathtaking beauty that is New Zealand. A well written , thoroughly enjoyable free verse offering, good luck to you mate... impressive!

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2017
    Thank you, Hitcher, for your charming review and for sharing your memories of hiking in New Zealand. Thanks also for wishing me well in the contest.
Comment from Janet Foor
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I agree 100 %. I like to listen to my surrounding wherever I am. The birds, the ocean or just the neighborhood sounds when I'm in the yard. So many wear their headphones wherever they are but I think they miss out on so much in this amazing world around us.

Well done Andre.
Blessings
Janet


 Comment Written 17-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2017
    Yes, Janet, I could not believe how beautiful that mountain walk was but how many on headphones or cellphones missed the surrounding sounds of nature. Thank you for your generous, six star review and for agreeing with my poem 100%.