Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

A beautiful picture of shoreline trees in words. The picture adds to the words or vice versa.

It just seems strange to have flowering in December for a snowbound area at that time of year. Maybe one December I'll
be able to visit the island and see the beauty in person.

Keep writing

dragonpoet

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks, DP

Christmas dinner here is often around the barbecue!

Steve

reply by dragonpoet on 20-Mar-2014

You're welcome, KSH.

It would seem strange to me to have a barbecue at Christmas but it would be fun to experience it once.

Joan

Comment from amahra

Excellent

Very beautiful art work of flowers and the way it showcases the poem is quite good. I loved the poem for its rich word choice and rhythm. Great writing.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thank you!

Steve

Comment from Irish Rain

Exceptional

How I would love to see New Zealand's Christmas tree! So very beautiful, this sonnet of your struggling tree! Blessings to you tonight!

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks, Jo

Doesn't Christmas dinner on the beach around the barbecue sound nice?

Steve

reply by Irish Rain on 20-Mar-2014

I would love it...anything on the beach sounds nice!

Comment from ennahanid

Excellent

What a super entry for the Sonnet contest. I love trees especially when left 'ungroomed' Never heard of this one and it is really beautiful and the picture of it leads so very well into your words...a complimentary adornment to the Sonnet. I wish you luck in the contest - Dinah

Interesting notes as well appreciated.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks, Dinah.

Steve

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Pohutakawas are my favourite tree....there is a two thousand year old one on Mayor Island...that was the most awesome gnarled tree I have ever seen
Well done.....I love this poem and the artwork
God bless

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks, Jenny.

Wow! I never knew they grew that old.

Steve

reply by kiwijenny on 20-Mar-2014

I know ...that was one awesome tree....

Comment from faithful_2

Excellent

It's wonderful to read about Pohutukawa and I highlighted the last part,

Undaunted by neglect and weather's wrack,
they ask for naught - and offer beauty back.

that despite the harshness of the environment, it never fails to praise the Creator for its beauty.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks for the kind words.

Steve

Comment from nancyjam

Excellent

Excellent Sonnet Steve and so interesting to
learn about this tree.
Great rhyme and meter
Nice pivot in third stanza
and a lovely closing couplte.
Wonderful imagery.
I thin you meant "They cling.... Line 1 stanza 2 nancy

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Nancy, thanks for the kind words and the sharp eye for typos!

Steve

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Very beautiful, vivid imagery you've painted here waxing poetic about this lovely tree native to your country. I'll admit, I never thought of a trees bare branches as asking for prayer, but the image is an amazing metaphor, and it works well here. True, much of nature allows us to enjoy scents, sights, sounds and smells that tantalize the senses, asking nothing in return from man but appreciation.

An excellent, well rhymed and metered piece of work, Steve.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014

---

reply by the author on 20-Mar-2014

Thanks, Dean - I appreciate the thoughtful review.

Steve