Reviews from

Senryu (a way out of Austria)

A family escapes an occupied country in WW2

57 total reviews 
Comment from AnnaLinda
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Mary Kay,

Congrats on your first place win in this contest/writing prompt.

Fantastic use of those few syllables...I knew immediately the movie.

Well done,

AnnaLinda

 Comment Written 26-May-2021

reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you for much, AnnaLinda, for your beautiful review of my senryu poetry. I appreciate your thoughtful comments very much. May God bless you!
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Minglement
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I wouldn't have needed a single clue to know the story you so beautifully described, here. What a glorious story and a joy to watch and here; You conveyed all of that here. Such vivid descriptions - (over living hills) - loved it :)

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2021

reply by the author on 26-Feb-2021
    Thank you so very much for giving me two spectacular reviews, both unexpected surprises! While I still watch the movie from time to time, I was very privileged to see it for the first time (and repeatedly, lol) during the impressionable years of my childhood, when certain things are best enjoyed. Although there was no way I could really understand exactly what they were escaping from, I came to eventually have an appreciation of what was being portrayed in the movie, which the writers and producers, I'm sure, wanted people to understand. While I learned (as a result of feedback from reviews) that the real von Trapps did not escape Austria under cover of night, it's important that people realized that many people did! And what was more sobering, was that many didn't escape at all. And then in retrospect, I understood that this movie was made only about two decades after the Holocaust. It was vitally important for people not to forget what happened then, and today that still hasn't changed. We have to hold onto the things that really matter, and not compromise when it comes to doing what's right. Those were the deeper lessons in the subtext, between the singing children and all the flowers!
    It's easy to forget, even today, as we may hide fearfully behind closed doors, but some things never change.
    Stay safe and well, and may God bless you and your family.
    Thank you so much for these two awesome reviews, six stars apiece!
    Love always, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Peeves
Excellent
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Mary Kay, I love this, I have never been to Austria but certainly a fan of "The Sound of Music" which you delightfully expressed in your lovely Haiku.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2021

reply by the author on 23-Feb-2021
    Thank you very much for your lovely review and the five stars. I've never been to Austria either, but the movie has a way of making a person feel transported to another time and place. May God bless you!
    - Mary Kay
reply by Peeves on 23-Feb-2021
    Your welcome and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Comment from Jean Lutz1
Excellent
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I was blessed to see the original play on Broadway in about 1962. Also while stationed in Germany I got to visit the Alps. I've toured Israel -- 1994. Did several years of volunteer work in an all Jewish nursing home. I've seen it, lived it and I thank God for my 81 (come April 1st) journey on earth. Your writing stirred many memories.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2021

reply by the author on 15-Feb-2021
    Thank you so much for your very meaningful review of my poem. I'm very touched that my brief Senryu stirred your memories. I also have a tenderness for the Jewish people.
    I was curious about how you found my poem, and realized that you are the same person who wrote the very touching poem about the teenager who loved the Lord and left this world, to be with Him, due to cancer. A very poignant post, indeed.
    In the course of reading my reviews on the Senryu piece, I learned that the Von Trapps didn't actually leave Austria in the manner portrayed in the movie, but in a much more ordinary way -- however, the important thing is that they represented the countless families who escaped Europe, and more tragically, those who didn't, under much more harrowing conditions.
    The most important thing is that the movie drew attention to that part of history, a scant two decades (roughly) after these frightening events took place.
    You really have seen a lot during your lifetime. May I ask, is it Mr. Jean Lutz, or Ms. Jean Lutz, since I can't determine that from your name?
    Your writing is beautiful. My Mom isn't much older than you -- she's 84; but I'm not all that young, at 63. She had me, when she was 21. It's a pleasure to meet you. I see you're new to this site. Welcome to FanStory! Many blessings, my friend!
    - Mary Kay
Comment from l.raven
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Mary Kay, first CONGRATULATION on a well deserved win sweet girl...

this is one of my favorite movies...and I figured it out right away...so very well written my sweet friend...and I love the picture...stunning...God Bless...love you...Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2021

reply by the author on 13-Jan-2021
    Thank you so much, Linda, for your lovely and awesome review of my poem! I appreciate your comments, especially about the picture, which I spent some time searching for... free pictures of the Austrian countryside that reminded me of the musical! Yes, it's one of my favorite movies, too. May God bless you also, and may He keep you and your loved ones safe.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
reply by l.raven on 14-Jan-2021
    always so welcome Mary Kay...and you and your family stay safe and take care...love you...xxoo
reply by the author on 14-Jan-2021
    ❤🙏
Comment from Poetic Friend
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Congratulations on the win. This entry truly deserves the win, and I am not being bias since the Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies.

I smiled while reading this gem. Great usage of word minimalism. Not a syllable or word wasted or forced for the sake of the poetic form.

 Comment Written 10-Jan-2021

reply by the author on 10-Jan-2021
    Thank you very much, Nan, for this great review! I appreciate your thoughtful observations. The Sound of Music is one of my favorite movies, also -- making this little poem very enjoyable to write. Love and blessings, Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Excellent
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You did a great job creating the animated imagery necessary for this movie. You appeal to many senses. You address and invite the reader to see colors, hear the sounds of all the kids. I like how you mentioned the hills. Clever.

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2020

reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
    Thank you so much, Liz, for your lovely review of my poem, for the five stars and for your thoughtful comments. May God bless you and your family with a safe and Happy New Year.
    Love, Mary Kay xoxo
reply by Liz O'Neill on 31-Dec-2020
    The same to you & your loved ones.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2021
    Thank you very much, Liz.
reply by Liz O'Neill on 01-Jan-2021
    Happy new year to you & your loved ones
Comment from Miss Cookie Atkinson
Good
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I like the photo you choose to go with your poem, they are a perfect match
I though the photo look familiar
you captured my attention from the start
thank you for sharing.
Cookie

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

 Comment Written 27-Dec-2020

reply by the author on 27-Dec-2020
    Thank you so much for the good review, dear Cookie, and for the four stars. I found the photo by doing a search for free pictures of the Austrian countryside. May God bless you and your family this Christmas week, and keep you safe throughout the New Year. Love, Mary Kay xoxo
reply by Miss Cookie Atkinson on 27-Dec-2020
    Your very welcome have a blessed Sunday
    Cookie
reply by the author on 27-Dec-2020
    Thank you, Cookie... I was wondering, if you don't mind my asking, if there was a reason why you gave me a 4. But no need to explain, if you would rather not. I hope you had a blessed Lord's Day, also.
Comment from Ann Market
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a beautiful poem! I can certainly see those rolling hills of The Sound of Music! I thought the title was very clever, and I also thought that your poem was from an original view of the movie. Great poem, and congratulations on winning the competition!

 Comment Written 26-Dec-2020

reply by the author on 27-Dec-2020
    Thank you very much for the beautiful review, Ann, and for the five stars. I have watched the movie more times than I can remember, and I did see part of it quite recently. Thank you for your congratulations. May God bless you during this Christmas week and into the New Year.
Comment from Taurus the Elder
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Very good. Great use of 17 syllables to describe a movie everyone should know. The work is supported by the beautiful art work. Great job, congratulations on the win.

 Comment Written 26-Dec-2020

reply by the author on 26-Dec-2020
    Thank you very much, Taurus, for your excellent review, the five stars, your congratulations and your encouraging comments. May God bless you and your family. - Mary Kay