Comment from Signaler

Excellent

Hello Mike K2, I read your poem with great interest. It struck a chord in my heart and soul. I watch tv news as they show a damaged society of people taking over the hearts, mind and country of what I have always believe to be a gentle people. This is not a holy war, it is a hell war. Great Job here.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

I do sense that good and evil quality about it. I thank you very much for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Kaze

Excellent

Ahh... politics.Without sticking my nose into the political view points, great poem. It has nice structure, rhyme, and great choice of words. Good job!

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

Yea, I actually find poetry a great use for providing discourse without have people turn off ideas by being put off. Thank you! Very much for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from bkrighter

Excellent

May God bless you and your family and keep you all safe. And may He bring peace to Pakistan and other troubled areas of the world.

I found your poem somewhat choppy, but given the subject matter, that is not altogether inappropriate. Keep writing.

Steve

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

There are a lot of elements to have to fit together. I tend to like a loose rhyme and keep up the meter within the stanzas. I feel mentioning this is worth the risk as my observations appear to be unique. I agree, it would be great to have a more of a positive influence grace this planet and help us understand and live with respect for each other. Thank you very much for your compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Freeflyer

Excellent

If only life were simple and we could all live under the one God with the same beliefs. It will never happen, sad to say. I feel for the Pakistan people caught up in a situation that seems to have no end. Terrorism is here to stay I am afraid to say. Thanks for sharing.
Freeflyer

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

I had to respond to this before I retire to rest for the second part of my shift. I look at the time line that many religious practices came about and many groups of people were isolated; it dawned on me that there is one God, but he gave to each what was best for each. Of course man adapts. It may not be necessary for us to have the same beliefs to accept that God is universal. I regret that there will always be terrorists and people seeking to establish tyrannies, but I am more concered with keeping the number of innocent victims to an absolute minimum. That requires an understanding of all in order that these people don't establish them for long, before there are able to be confronted and broken up once again.

I thank you for this review, as I appreciate the thoughts involved. Mike

Comment from justmade

Excellent

This is a strong one Mike and I hear you very loud and clear.
I also don't understand why these things happen and it becomes even more complicated everyday.
Thanks for sharing this my friend.
Much love,
Justmade.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

I think that we really want to assign bad things a motive so that we can understand. I sort of operate from a sense of God, things are simpler if one askes the question, "Is this right or wrong." I have prevented many mistakes this was and get the most out of life. Most don't.

This is a post that I just don't want to post, but it got to me as I haven't read or heard anyone else saying this. I am touched with the reviews and feel it is worth the risk.

I thank you very much for stopping by and giving me your. I appreciate it along with the compliments.

Comment from rama devi

Excellent

It is a strong poem, with lots of potent emotion fueling your lines. Your author's notes attest to the fact that this issue sits close to your heart.

Well presented with artwork and color choices.

Couple of nits;

The media are making us,
the government(COMMA) out to appear the villain.

This line is grammatically awkward
for you can't stop bullets
by throwing at them, money.


But I do not know how to fix it.

Good work, overall. Powerful and effective in communicating your message.

Warm Regards,
rama devi

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

One comma removed, one added. Thank you for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from adamlipert

Excellent

Beautifully written and passionate. What i loved personally was how you presented the dilemmas that pakistan faces. Almost a damned if you do damned if you dont scenario. Also i am from Israel and we face terrorism as well and so I can really sympathize with what Pakistan is going through. And on top of this it is sad to see areas like SWAT and other Federal Tribe Administered areas being the begining of the end of any freedom, love, womens rights for the rest of Pakistan. Beautiful poem and I hope many people get to read this.
love from Israel,
a.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

Wow! Your up on things and have a keen understanding and personal knowledge. It drive me nuts what the bad guys do, how they are perceived as the underdog and their is a whole host of people caught on both sides. I do mention a Palestinian neighbor in Pupa's review and how I make my points with him. I sometime feel that those areas have such a hard time, because they don't understand or make the necessary moral decision that is needed as it is factions with in the harbor the bad guys. I share your sentiments as hope the right people read this that can affect the change. I wrote one called, "Marytr" and that is one of my more frequently clicked on poems. In writing these, there is an element of faith required as there is apprehension, it just that my conscience won't have it any other way.

Thank you so very much for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Oatmeal

Excellent

Mike,

My home used to be in Texas but today I reside in Missouri. I travel back and forth quite often. I have known Packistani people from college in my past. they seemed very nice although I never got to know them too well. I do know that the people in Missouri are nicer than the people in Texas.

Your poem said things that I must agree with all of the way! Killing and fighting is wrong. The theme was expressed very well.

There was no SPAG. No typos. No homophones. No problems at all.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Love you,

Oatmeal

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 28-Apr-2009

In general, Pakistani people are fairly standoffish although decent. I thank you for the review and the compliments. These days, most of my works are posted much lower as I am more or less existing in doing the best that I can. I will keep an eye out for yours as well. Mike

Comment from Donovan

Excellent

I am grateful for your service, mine was many years earlier. We think money solves everything and in fact it solves little. I liked your poem, gave a clear point of view. Well done.

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 27-Apr-2009

I regret that I did not do any military service. I wanted to enter the Naval School of Photography, but also wanted to us it for mission specific purposes as well base photography. I had many queations, but the recruiter refused to answer any of them and simply messed with me. I decided that volunteer service wasn't for me and told him that I planned only to serve if called upon. I did regret not trying a bit later with a different recruiter, but my career was already established.

It disturbs me that we repeat history and try to capitulate to these type of people. A peace is never gained.

I thank you very much for your compliments and this review. I also thank you for your service too. Mike

Comment from eragon

Excellent

This is a nince poem but I never really liked this style of writing. I find it difficult to rate but yours was still good. Are you for Pakistan or against it?

 Comment Written 27-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 27-Apr-2009

This is more a freestyle with rhyme and meter within a stanza. It seemed the best way under time constraints to convey my thoughts. I am for Pakistan as they are a good ally and trading partner. Also they have helped us out. I just feel that they need to develope an understanding and sense of duty at ridding themselves of these type of people. I realize the complexity of life in the tribal areas, but there needs to be a sense of country with these people as well. I think in many nations, there are two borders, the physical one for goverence and trade and the cultural one. I believe that both can coexist, but it must be realized that the physical ones are the most important. In a sense we don't really have that in our country, but local, state and federal governments exist well. Also no restrictions are placed on the celebration and practice of various ethnicities and religions. Yet there is a reasonable expectation of mutual existance with in our society.

I emnjoyed this review and thank you for it. Mike