We're Still Here, John
Upon experiencing the heart of John Steinbeck country...46 total reviews
Comment from Ogden
Your moving poem makes your passion for Steinbeck quite evident, and beautifully expresses your compassion for today's version of the migrant workers he wrote about. Your notes only confirm that.
Brava, Diane!
Don (Ogden)
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Your moving poem makes your passion for Steinbeck quite evident, and beautifully expresses your compassion for today's version of the migrant workers he wrote about. Your notes only confirm that.
Brava, Diane!
Don (Ogden)
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello Don,
This one is very close to my heart. Thank you so much for your exceptional rating and complimentary review. It took me over a month to pen this piece. I hope to return to Salinas someday...
Much appreciation and gratitude,
diane
Comment from Meia (MESAYERS)
The American writer, John Steinbeck, (1902 - 1968), was indeed, an artist who not only told the truth of his day, he exposed the truth in all of its rawness and brutality. Of particular, he wrote of the disenfranchised, the laborer, the common man. ' I loved Steinbeck at university. This poem more than does him justice. A wonderful poem. As a side note my poet husband is also named John! Brilliant work kindest regards Meia x
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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The American writer, John Steinbeck, (1902 - 1968), was indeed, an artist who not only told the truth of his day, he exposed the truth in all of its rawness and brutality. Of particular, he wrote of the disenfranchised, the laborer, the common man. ' I loved Steinbeck at university. This poem more than does him justice. A wonderful poem. As a side note my poet husband is also named John! Brilliant work kindest regards Meia x
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Meia,
So very pleased you studied Steinbeck and appreciate my humble verse.
Thank you ever so much!
diane
Comment from Ben Colder
Salute to a magnificent free Verse. Yes, dirt, much dirt in more than just brush able.
Enjoyed. Was thinking about Henry Fonda in the grapes of wrath. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Salute to a magnificent free Verse. Yes, dirt, much dirt in more than just brush able.
Enjoyed. Was thinking about Henry Fonda in the grapes of wrath. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello Ben!
I've been working on this piece for at least a month. Thank you ever so much for the positive and exceptional view, but more importantly, for appreciating the subject of my verse...
Thank you!
diane
Comment from robina1978
Lovely photo that complements your poem very well. The foot note helped too. It is a beautiful free verse that has many elements of it. I enjoyed the reading and reviewing. Best wishes for the contest.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Lovely photo that complements your poem very well. The foot note helped too. It is a beautiful free verse that has many elements of it. I enjoyed the reading and reviewing. Best wishes for the contest.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello robina1978,
So pleased you enjoyed.
Thank you!
diane
Comment from Fridayauthor
I too became a fan of Steinbeck in high school. I poked around used book stores in Boston and bought every novel he wrote, about twenty-five or so as I remember. Later, I biked and camped in the Salinas Valley, and poked around the docks in Monterrey, amid the ghosts of his friends from those three delightful books.
I even crossed the country, with my own "Charlie."
Your poetic tribute to him stirred some most pleasant memories.
Very well done. I thank you.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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I too became a fan of Steinbeck in high school. I poked around used book stores in Boston and bought every novel he wrote, about twenty-five or so as I remember. Later, I biked and camped in the Salinas Valley, and poked around the docks in Monterrey, amid the ghosts of his friends from those three delightful books.
I even crossed the country, with my own "Charlie."
Your poetic tribute to him stirred some most pleasant memories.
Very well done. I thank you.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello!
So neat that you traveled across country, camped in Salinas Valley, and bought so many of Steinbeck's works. I loved reading who you were in Monterey, "amid the ghosts of his friends from those delightful books." When I was in college, reading "In Dubious Battle," I became physically ill reading the novel.
Thank you for your complimentary review!
diane
Comment from Joy Graham
Well done, bravo! I read Of Mice and Men in high school. It wasn't my favorite book. I can understand you writng to John Steinbeck since you studied him a lot. I love how you write this poem to him like a letter filling him in on all the things that are still the same and adding in the things that are new like the wall. I wonder what he'd say if he were to come back to visit and see the future world?
My favorite line:
- "Why we're the people...we go on."
This is an excellent entry for the free verse contest. If I were the judge, you'd win with this excellent poem.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Well done, bravo! I read Of Mice and Men in high school. It wasn't my favorite book. I can understand you writng to John Steinbeck since you studied him a lot. I love how you write this poem to him like a letter filling him in on all the things that are still the same and adding in the things that are new like the wall. I wonder what he'd say if he were to come back to visit and see the future world?
My favorite line:
- "Why we're the people...we go on."
This is an excellent entry for the free verse contest. If I were the judge, you'd win with this excellent poem.
Joy xx
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello Joy!
This one is dear to my heart. Thank you ever so much for your exceptional and thoughtful rating and review.
I wonder what Steinbeck would say, too!
Be well,
diane
Comment from judiverse
Oh, I have to rate this a six. Wonderful presentation. The narrator's voice is just right, and the references to the names the migrant workers were called add realism. Great contributions are made, as you mention, all the fields of marvelous vegetable that need picking, Calling them the heartbeat, so true. You mention progress that has been made in terms of education and some now own homes and cars. As you mention, the spirit of these people never dies. Wonderful use of the quotation from Ma Joad about "Why, we're the people--we just go on." And nothing can stop them. Great work. judi
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Oh, I have to rate this a six. Wonderful presentation. The narrator's voice is just right, and the references to the names the migrant workers were called add realism. Great contributions are made, as you mention, all the fields of marvelous vegetable that need picking, Calling them the heartbeat, so true. You mention progress that has been made in terms of education and some now own homes and cars. As you mention, the spirit of these people never dies. Wonderful use of the quotation from Ma Joad about "Why, we're the people--we just go on." And nothing can stop them. Great work. judi
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Judi!
I am humbled and honored by your review. This piece is very dear to my heart.
Thank you ever so much,
diane
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You're very welcome. A wonderful poem, and it did make me think of "The Grapes of Wrath." judi
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath. These are some of Steinbeck's best depictions. Well written poem that portrays how you feel about Steinbeck to a tee. No spags noticed. Should make an interesting entry in this contest.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath. These are some of Steinbeck's best depictions. Well written poem that portrays how you feel about Steinbeck to a tee. No spags noticed. Should make an interesting entry in this contest.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Brett,
This piece is very dear to me. So pleased you appreciate it as well.
Thank you!
diane
Comment from evesayshi
In my opinion, this is a stunning write, and I based my rating solely upon the quality and beauty of the poem, since I disagree completely with its premise. To be candid, while I appreciate, nay heartily admire, the labor and laborers defined in these exquisite words, I voraciously resent the illegal influx of these "people." I am a second generation citizen. My grandparents emigrated to the United States "LEGALLY," escaping revolution and terrorism. I do not believe the "people" defined in this poem have any more value than those who emigrate legally, who honor our country and its laws, with the respect due a haven of opportunity, and/or asylum...
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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In my opinion, this is a stunning write, and I based my rating solely upon the quality and beauty of the poem, since I disagree completely with its premise. To be candid, while I appreciate, nay heartily admire, the labor and laborers defined in these exquisite words, I voraciously resent the illegal influx of these "people." I am a second generation citizen. My grandparents emigrated to the United States "LEGALLY," escaping revolution and terrorism. I do not believe the "people" defined in this poem have any more value than those who emigrate legally, who honor our country and its laws, with the respect due a haven of opportunity, and/or asylum...
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2018
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Hello evesayshi!
I am incredibly honored and humbled by your review and subsequent rating. I applaud your convictions, and the manner in which you have chosen to express them to me. I have no answers. My father's father and his family also emigrated to the United States legally in 1907 from Europe.
As for my poem. I was truly overwhelmed by what I saw and what I experienced during my time in California...and all I could think of was, "We're still here, John..."
Always,
diane
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All I can say is, your poem is exceptional in every way, in every word, and I was struck both by its beauty and, yes, its compelling premise, which I found arresting and sincere. I could not be anything but moved by its wonderfully emotional presentation. My grandparents emigrated from Eastern Europe at an historic time in that part of the world, 1911 - 1920. Your responses have been as exceptional to me as your exquisite poem, Diane. I cannot thank you enough for affording me, and other readers, the experience of your gift...Eve
Comment from Richard Stephen Kram
Excellent visual that supports the poem. I love the repetition, the telling of the poem to "John". This poem evokes strong feelings. Keep up the good work.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Excellent visual that supports the poem. I love the repetition, the telling of the poem to "John". This poem evokes strong feelings. Keep up the good work.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2018
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Hello Richard!
This piece is very dear to my heart.
So pleased you enjoy!
Thank you!
diane
