Staunch And With Valor
Appreciating the military.18 total reviews
Comment from Michele Harber
How lovely, Lisa May. Your poem, while proudly patriotic, is also beautifully respectful of those who fought for our freedoms, and of the personal toll it extracted. Congratulations on sharing first place in this contest. It's so well deserved!
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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How lovely, Lisa May. Your poem, while proudly patriotic, is also beautifully respectful of those who fought for our freedoms, and of the personal toll it extracted. Congratulations on sharing first place in this contest. It's so well deserved!
Comment Written 28-May-2022
reply by the author on 30-May-2022
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Thanks Michele. The military is almost invisible where I live so we don't have such a sense of patriotic service to honour, except on specific days of remembrance. I don't know anyone who's done military service so it feels rather remote.
(I went to a recent ceremony for the opening of a memorial to a respected conscientious objector - Archibald Baxter - who suffered for his beliefs in World War One. Luckily he survived and his son became one of NZ's best-known poets - James K. Baxter.)
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The US has been involved in enough wars and military actions that service people are regularly on our minds, but particularly on days like today - Memorial Day - when we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
I love that NZ has a memorial for a conscientious objector. Can I guess that his son's poetry leans in the same direction?
Comment from LJbutterfly
I spent thirty years working at the American governmental agency that serves men and women returning from service in the military. You poem has special meaning to me, as you recognized the sacrifice and valor of brave soldiers serving their country. Well done. Best wish in the contest.
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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I spent thirty years working at the American governmental agency that serves men and women returning from service in the military. You poem has special meaning to me, as you recognized the sacrifice and valor of brave soldiers serving their country. Well done. Best wish in the contest.
Comment Written 27-May-2022
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Yes indeed, you would have seen at first hand the impact of military service and the sacrifice required. I can only imagine it. I was hoping I got the tone right in my ignorance, so your review is reassuring. Thank you.
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
As a veteran, I loved this poem. It painted a picture of the meaning of being a soldier clearly. The rhyme scheme was on point throughout the poem. I wish you luck in the contest. You have written a poem you can be proud of penning.
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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As a veteran, I loved this poem. It painted a picture of the meaning of being a soldier clearly. The rhyme scheme was on point throughout the poem. I wish you luck in the contest. You have written a poem you can be proud of penning.
Comment Written 27-May-2022
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Thank you for your supportive words about my poem.
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You are welcome!
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Many thanks for our comrades in arms who have stood beside us whether in battle or in peace keeping missions. It takes a certain type to face the ravages of war, and overly ambitious throngs trying to upset the apple cart.
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Many thanks for our comrades in arms who have stood beside us whether in battle or in peace keeping missions. It takes a certain type to face the ravages of war, and overly ambitious throngs trying to upset the apple cart.
Comment Written 27-May-2022
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Thanks for your review. I am a pacifist at heart but I have deep respect for those who serve in the military. I doubt I'd be able to do it - even watching war movies terrifies me.
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Where would we be without the peacekeepers?
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They seem rather ineffective at times. The United Nations is toothless, with Russia and China being on the security council
[from Internet: The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (also known as the Permanent Five, Big Five, or P5) are the five sovereign states to whom the UN Charter of 1945 grants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.]
Comment from Earl Corp
Your poem has a very subtle rhyme to it and reads like a free verse poem. But I enjoyed it because it had a great message that read coherently. Very nice job. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Your poem has a very subtle rhyme to it and reads like a free verse poem. But I enjoyed it because it had a great message that read coherently. Very nice job. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 27-May-2022
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Thanks for your review... and good luck with your own entry.
In my poem I put 2 lines together as one line. You'll see that there is a definite rhyme scheme, but the lines would be too long to have in larger type in single lines, so I broke them into 2 lines, so now it looks like only every second line rhymes.
Comment from Sally Law
Aching for a six today! Just beautiful and so full of honor and respect. I loved this one the most. Best regards for the vote, and blessings to you always,
Sal xoxo
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Aching for a six today! Just beautiful and so full of honor and respect. I loved this one the most. Best regards for the vote, and blessings to you always,
Sal xoxo
Comment Written 27-May-2022
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
There is always something emotional about positive words about any member or part of our military and the job they do for us. We can never thank them enough.
Perhaps in the 1st stanza, 6th sentence you might consider "bloodied" instead of "blooded"
Nicely said though.
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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There is always something emotional about positive words about any member or part of our military and the job they do for us. We can never thank them enough.
Perhaps in the 1st stanza, 6th sentence you might consider "bloodied" instead of "blooded"
Nicely said though.
Comment Written 27-May-2022
reply by the author on 27-May-2022
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Thanks for your review. I used 'blooded' in the sense of gaining experience, rather than actually bleeding. e.g. ''I'll let a rookie march behind me with a loaded weapon once he's been blooded in combat; until then he stays in front where I can see which way he's pointing.''
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Oh yeah, I get it now. Makes more sense your way. Thanks for explaining.
Comment from AP Apgar
I like your poem- you have a good presentation- picture of the theme- dog tags- your story line is accurate (a veteran myself) diplomacy efforts first- but then when necessary- we would deploy assets- in our countries defense - often at personal cost- to fight for our country wearing our dog-tags- good job
Thank you for honoring military men and women.
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I like your poem- you have a good presentation- picture of the theme- dog tags- your story line is accurate (a veteran myself) diplomacy efforts first- but then when necessary- we would deploy assets- in our countries defense - often at personal cost- to fight for our country wearing our dog-tags- good job
Thank you for honoring military men and women.
Comment Written 26-May-2022
Comment from lyenochka
Great job with your military salute and you show the situation well. But I look in the past and I see only some wars worth the fight and really motivated by preserving freedom.
But your poem was expertly written and fit the challenge well.
Best wishes in the contest!
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Great job with your military salute and you show the situation well. But I look in the past and I see only some wars worth the fight and really motivated by preserving freedom.
But your poem was expertly written and fit the challenge well.
Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 26-May-2022
Comment from Debbie Pope
I bet that this one wins the contest. I like your first two lines. You put the military in its place. It is a backup. Negotiate first. When that fails, the military takes care of things. I also like your use of staunch and with valor. And the dog tags which symbolize their service.
A winner.
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I bet that this one wins the contest. I like your first two lines. You put the military in its place. It is a backup. Negotiate first. When that fails, the military takes care of things. I also like your use of staunch and with valor. And the dog tags which symbolize their service.
A winner.
Comment Written 26-May-2022
