We're Still Here, John
Upon experiencing the heart of John Steinbeck country...46 total reviews
Comment from Zue65
Your country have its share of dark periods in history as all other countries do. But don't blame too much your past history, for the ability to triumph over victimhood and tragedies is the greatest weapon that could propel a man towards success. We cannot always say I am an oppressed poor, I am a victim of a sick system, therefore I can steal from you and even kill you because you have to pay for my oppression. Instead, I told my own kids instead, study hard and work hard, that's the only way to go up. And they did, they managed to overcome poverty with their college degrees through sheer hard work without government's aid but with a single mother's sacrifice. Instead of holding placards on streets they burned candles inside the library to read for free and earned their degrees within four years. My two kids are now professionals, certainly not millionaires but they are living a happy stable life.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Your country have its share of dark periods in history as all other countries do. But don't blame too much your past history, for the ability to triumph over victimhood and tragedies is the greatest weapon that could propel a man towards success. We cannot always say I am an oppressed poor, I am a victim of a sick system, therefore I can steal from you and even kill you because you have to pay for my oppression. Instead, I told my own kids instead, study hard and work hard, that's the only way to go up. And they did, they managed to overcome poverty with their college degrees through sheer hard work without government's aid but with a single mother's sacrifice. Instead of holding placards on streets they burned candles inside the library to read for free and earned their degrees within four years. My two kids are now professionals, certainly not millionaires but they are living a happy stable life.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello!
Thank you for your review...
diane
Comment from Chrissy710
Hi Mrs KT Wow a powerful free verse that makes the resder think about the content. Your referral to John was clever and engaging and you portray the backbone of the poor farmer worker with such passion and make them much more likaable that 'the man' . he wouldn't be 'the man' if it wansn't for the men . Good luck in the contest it should be a winner Cheers Christine
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hi Mrs KT Wow a powerful free verse that makes the resder think about the content. Your referral to John was clever and engaging and you portray the backbone of the poor farmer worker with such passion and make them much more likaable that 'the man' . he wouldn't be 'the man' if it wansn't for the men . Good luck in the contest it should be a winner Cheers Christine
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Christine,
Thank you for your exceptional rating and complimentary review.
This one is dear to my heart...
Much appreciation!
diane
Comment from A. Willow Bends
An excellent tribute to The Grapes of Wrath and I loved the way you did this with the repetitive voice speaking to John. This is highly creative and unique and fabulous. Great job and good luck in your contesting efforts. This is above and beyond.
Wendy
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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An excellent tribute to The Grapes of Wrath and I loved the way you did this with the repetitive voice speaking to John. This is highly creative and unique and fabulous. Great job and good luck in your contesting efforts. This is above and beyond.
Wendy
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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Hello Wendy Aune,
So very pleased that you appreciate my poem. Thank you for the exceptional rating and the complimentary review.
Many thanks,
diane
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written free verse poem about the poor farm workers who work for the landowner day after day and seldom can afford life's necessities to make a good life for themselves.
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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A very well-written free verse poem about the poor farm workers who work for the landowner day after day and seldom can afford life's necessities to make a good life for themselves.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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Hello Sandra,
This one is very dear to my heart.
Thank you for your positive and complimentary review.
diane
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
This is a really lovely free verse KT. I love John Steinbeck and have read several of his books. We toured California a while back and in Monterey, around 4am in the fog we saw the fishing crates being loaded and the big buildings connected by high glass walkways - so atmospheric, I thought of Cannery Row. He wrote such wonderful stories. I cried while reading 'Of Mice And Men'.
You have written a lovely tribute to him and I enjoyed every line of your work, written with such feeling. Good luck in the contest. Warm regards Dorothy xx
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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This is a really lovely free verse KT. I love John Steinbeck and have read several of his books. We toured California a while back and in Monterey, around 4am in the fog we saw the fishing crates being loaded and the big buildings connected by high glass walkways - so atmospheric, I thought of Cannery Row. He wrote such wonderful stories. I cried while reading 'Of Mice And Men'.
You have written a lovely tribute to him and I enjoyed every line of your work, written with such feeling. Good luck in the contest. Warm regards Dorothy xx
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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Hello Dorothy,
Thank you ever so much for your exceptional rating and positive review.
This one is very dear to my heart.
Diane
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi there;
This is wonderful. It is disgraceful the things that are being hurled at a population that has done nothing but try to make better lives for themselves and their children. I did taxes for years, and I had many immigrants who came to this country and started their own businesses. They worked harder than most and were so proud. There were a few I had to tell NOT to file taxes as they were here illegally, but they were the most giving and loving.
I don't know if you watched the Oscars, but there were so many immigrants who took their time to make political statements and I say, "Good for them."
~patty~
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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Hi there;
This is wonderful. It is disgraceful the things that are being hurled at a population that has done nothing but try to make better lives for themselves and their children. I did taxes for years, and I had many immigrants who came to this country and started their own businesses. They worked harder than most and were so proud. There were a few I had to tell NOT to file taxes as they were here illegally, but they were the most giving and loving.
I don't know if you watched the Oscars, but there were so many immigrants who took their time to make political statements and I say, "Good for them."
~patty~
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2018
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Hello Patty,
Thank you for your exceptional rating and positive review.
This one really is dear to my heart...
diane
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was really excellent! I don't normally enjoy free verse, but I did yours! You were able to describe your hopes, dreams, and feeling, freely in this poem, telling John Steinbeck that you were all still there and in some cases, life was improving. It's a fabulous contest entry. Good luck! :) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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That was really excellent! I don't normally enjoy free verse, but I did yours! You were able to describe your hopes, dreams, and feeling, freely in this poem, telling John Steinbeck that you were all still there and in some cases, life was improving. It's a fabulous contest entry. Good luck! :) Sandra xx
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Sandra,
This one is really dear to my heart.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and for appreciating my verse...
diane
Comment from TPAC
Go baby. A lot of the elements disclosed I can relate to in my life. I grew up on a farm, rented a house, worked like a dog. We do need the delights grown, glad that advancements are reaching even these remote regions. I found this write a pleasant read.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Go baby. A lot of the elements disclosed I can relate to in my life. I grew up on a farm, rented a house, worked like a dog. We do need the delights grown, glad that advancements are reaching even these remote regions. I found this write a pleasant read.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello TPAC!
So pleased you stopped by and appreciate my poem.
Thanks ever so much!
diane
Comment from kiwisteveh
I like this a lot. Your choice of free verse gives you the freedom to express exactly what you want and the repetition of 'John' combines with the familiar landscapes and place names of Steinbeck's novels to make this strongly evocative of the times and characters he brought to life.
Powerful stuff!
Steve
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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I like this a lot. Your choice of free verse gives you the freedom to express exactly what you want and the repetition of 'John' combines with the familiar landscapes and place names of Steinbeck's novels to make this strongly evocative of the times and characters he brought to life.
Powerful stuff!
Steve
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Steve!
I have wanted to pen this poem for some time. It is dear to my heart.
Thank you ever so much for the exceptional rating and the thoughtful review.
diane
Comment from Cycler
This was an enjoyable read. You've built much credibility into the poem with facts and figures. It is intriguing that it is the same. How far have we advanced in this country, in this world. Yet, you are right about our resilience. And, I like the irony of telling the truth: He did and so are you.
Very nicely written
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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This was an enjoyable read. You've built much credibility into the poem with facts and figures. It is intriguing that it is the same. How far have we advanced in this country, in this world. Yet, you are right about our resilience. And, I like the irony of telling the truth: He did and so are you.
Very nicely written
Comment Written 05-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Cycler,
This write is dear to my heart. Thank you for your thoughtful review. Your words mean a great deal to me...
diane
