Why Destroy Old Glory Too?
You've already corrupted the USA27 total reviews
Comment from karenina
I really prefer to not get into the mess of muddy politics...everyone seems to end up with smears on their face. (smile)-- BUT, you won this contest and I think it is because as much as there is a whole lot of tribalism in this country, most declare they love the flag and their country. It's just a matter of getting a consensus to agree. (JUST that!)
Sigh...
Karenina
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I really prefer to not get into the mess of muddy politics...everyone seems to end up with smears on their face. (smile)-- BUT, you won this contest and I think it is because as much as there is a whole lot of tribalism in this country, most declare they love the flag and their country. It's just a matter of getting a consensus to agree. (JUST that!)
Sigh...
Karenina
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
We had it all, you are right. Why would anyone want to throw it all away? Why would anyone do to our country what has been done. It will change, mark my word, it will change, and we will be here to see it. It will change for the good. I'm waiting for 2024 with bated breath.
Wise insight to our sorrowful condition.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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We had it all, you are right. Why would anyone want to throw it all away? Why would anyone do to our country what has been done. It will change, mark my word, it will change, and we will be here to see it. It will change for the good. I'm waiting for 2024 with bated breath.
Wise insight to our sorrowful condition.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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Gary, thank you so much for your very kind review! I think you are right that we will see it. Hopefully most doubters have seen enough of what the left can do. What worries me is all the lower class that biden is babysitting right now. Not the ones that work at trying to better themselves, the ones who are standing there with their hand out.
Comment from Teri7
This is a very well written and so very good and true poem you have penned about America and what is going on these days. It is very saddening. If we are sad here on earth, can you imagine how sad it must make God? Best wishes in the contest. Teri
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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This is a very well written and so very good and true poem you have penned about America and what is going on these days. It is very saddening. If we are sad here on earth, can you imagine how sad it must make God? Best wishes in the contest. Teri
Comment Written 26-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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Teri, you, you are so very kind and I truly appreciate that you too pray for God to bring back His protective Hand before it's too late! Thanks for the awesome review on such a serious subject!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
AMEN!!!!! Thank you for sharing this writing prompt entry with us. Yes, I pray daily that God will intercede and stop this nonsense. As Christain lessen in number, we need to stand up for the wrongs happening. Thank you for your bravery in writing this.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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AMEN!!!!! Thank you for sharing this writing prompt entry with us. Yes, I pray daily that God will intercede and stop this nonsense. As Christain lessen in number, we need to stand up for the wrongs happening. Thank you for your bravery in writing this.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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Oh Barb, I just love that you too are aware enough to see the wickedness of this administration. I just had a two star review from someone who is brand new here, and obviously was grading on my opinion and not of the poem. So I did go into authors notes and told of what our friend predicted for this country if the lefts got back in. Everything he said would happen, is identical to what is going on now. Thank you for your kind review my friend and appreciate it so very much!
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Yep, every bit of it was predicted.
Comment from Nic
I thought your first and second stanza were particularly strong. Your rhythm and rhyme felt natural there. The writing gets clunky after that. You have a "they" in the first line of stanza three that is ambiguous. Since you last used "they" to refer to the veterans or "brave souls" in stanza two and never introduce a new subject, the "they" in stanza three technically would still be the "brave souls" (although from context that's obviously not the case). There are also a lot of generalities as the poem progresses. The unnamed "good friend" is an example of this. "Interference from the other side" is another. Name the friend. Identify the specific interference. I think naming the "they" and aiming to be more specific throughout remainder of the poem would greatly improve the overall quality.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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I thought your first and second stanza were particularly strong. Your rhythm and rhyme felt natural there. The writing gets clunky after that. You have a "they" in the first line of stanza three that is ambiguous. Since you last used "they" to refer to the veterans or "brave souls" in stanza two and never introduce a new subject, the "they" in stanza three technically would still be the "brave souls" (although from context that's obviously not the case). There are also a lot of generalities as the poem progresses. The unnamed "good friend" is an example of this. "Interference from the other side" is another. Name the friend. Identify the specific interference. I think naming the "they" and aiming to be more specific throughout remainder of the poem would greatly improve the overall quality.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 26-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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Nic, thank you for reading my poem about "my views" of where our country is going. However, with due respect I have seen so many new people come to this site and start out on the wrong foot because they don't know enough about writing and reviewing. Anyone who knows anything about poetry also knows that much of what you are reading is common sense and ability to read between the lines. Most of the greatest poetry out there that is written is confusing until you learn how to do this. They don't pick about a word and judge and shouldn't need every detail to figure it out. In my entire life of writing, I find it boring if someone feels the need to do that. Also, it is a complete no no here to judge so harshly on the fact that you disagree with what the author has written. A two star review is almost unheard of here, especially when other top notch experienced writers have given the piece 5 and 6 stars and loved it. I am only telling you this, because if you get this reputation, then authors will Barr you from reviewing or judge yours on the same curve you used. I am trying to give you some constructive feedback, to help you not to be cruel.
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Thank you for the input, and I'll make note. I'm sorry that you disagree with my review, but I do want to state that my review was for the quality of the writing and not your views. I am familiar with intentional ambiguity in poetry but that's not how yours reads. If you are arguing that poets shouldn't "pick about a word," then I think we have very different understandings of what poetry is about. I do not plan to give out two star reviews frequently, but I also don't believe that everyone should get 5 or 6 stars if their work doesn't deserve it. I'm not trying to be cruel, but I am hoping for criticism that will allow me to improve as a writer. Feel free to be as harsh in your constructive criticism of my work as you wish. Thanks again for the feedback, and I look forward to being reviewed with the same curve.
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So are you saying that my five & six stars are not deserved by people who are not grading because of who I am or know of my rank as a poet, since this is a blind contest?
I will be honest, as I take all reviews serious, I did take out the word they about taking God out of the gov and schools. I also put in author's notes, what our professional political analyst predicted so there would be no other confusion, but the rest of my poem is an easy to read, even between the lines easy. I made these corrections because of respect for any review, but will still argue that your two star review was harsh and it goes against all the real professional writers that gave it six stars.......
I would never review a post out of revenge as I am honest, yet have never found one that I thought was worth two stars and have never been given one before, if I do review your work, you can be sure it will be rated honestly and fairly. I just hated to see you start out this way right from the start. You say that you will probably not be giving many 2 star reviews, yet if you felt that way about mine, you most definitely will be giving many more. I wish you the best here and hope we will become friends after you have been here a little longer and learn the ropes.
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I'm not saying anything about how other's have scored and reviewed your work. I'm just saying that having no idea who you are, the score I gave you was what I felt the poem deserved based on my opinion of it's poetic merit. I agree that it was easy to read, but it was very much a telling rather than showing piece. Perhaps what I value in a poem--the imagery and immersion and specific language--is not what you value. I am still hoping that I will not award many 2 stars. I haven't given another yet, but like you said, I am new. Thanks again, though, and I will certainly consider your feedback!
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One more thing, it is always hard to hear the tone when using the text. But all of my notes were of a helpful tone,
But one very important thing you should do, is ALWAYS read the contest rules and prompts before Ever reviewing a piece here. In this particular one, it was actually supposed to be a type of honest rant about how we felt, and that also makes all the difference of how it should be rated. I am not worried about how this one will affect my rank, but hoping you will read all the rules of every contest before reviewing others.
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I saw what the contest was asking for but I didn't see it say that you were required to write a rant. I could have missed it. It does say not to hold back and I think you could have gone harder, been stronger, with more concrete descriptive examples and punched-up figurative language. I just didn't think the poem was particularly sharp in terms of it's tone or in terms of language choices. That whole first stanza is devoted specifically to the flag, and it's really powerful because of how specific you get. But that doesn't happen consistently elsewhere in the poem. I genuinely do appreciate the feedback, though, and will make sure I read the prompts.
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You have so much to learn here my friend. I hope for your sake, that your aren't leaving your mark on any more well established poets or authors writings as you truly are coming off as a know it all, and I hate to see you start off that way.
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I'm sorry you feel that way. Would it help if I scored it a three instead? I don't mean to cause you such distress. I can change it--if that's allowed--if that's what you would like.
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This is a respectful place, so I just hope you have some of that for others. They truly deserve it here.
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I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful.
Comment from Wendy G
Well you didn't hold back! There are so many ways to view the problems your country is experiencing - perhaps it's a bit easier to be objective from a distance. I wouldn't like to be in the midst of all these issues right now. Your poem is expressed with smooth rhyme, flowing regular metre, and well expressed emotion.
Wendy
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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Well you didn't hold back! There are so many ways to view the problems your country is experiencing - perhaps it's a bit easier to be objective from a distance. I wouldn't like to be in the midst of all these issues right now. Your poem is expressed with smooth rhyme, flowing regular metre, and well expressed emotion.
Wendy
Comment Written 26-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 26-Jul-2022
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And Wendy, you are as lovely and gracious as ever. Our friend has been watching this close since the Obama Admin was in and everything has been true. I used to doubt him, but no longer! Thanks for you lovely review and words. Even if you don't agree, you are so respectful and such a classy woman. Thank you so very much my dear friend.,
Comment from John Ciarmello
You seem to have covered it all in quite a powerful way, I might add. Your last stanza was the most poignant. I wish you much success with the contest. Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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You seem to have covered it all in quite a powerful way, I might add. Your last stanza was the most poignant. I wish you much success with the contest. Best, JohnC
Comment Written 25-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Thanks John, I am so appreciative of your awesome words and review. Thanks again my friend!
Comment from royowen
I remember a quote by Napoleon talking of a fifth column, I'm not sure where the expression came from, but it's reference was, "that he didn't fear the enemy he faced, but the enemy within, the enemy at his back." America can't escape what has happened to other nations who placed their faith in their own. They faded into history, we are just people, and without God, we are in trouble. But your poem was superbly written, great rhyming and narrative, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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I remember a quote by Napoleon talking of a fifth column, I'm not sure where the expression came from, but it's reference was, "that he didn't fear the enemy he faced, but the enemy within, the enemy at his back." America can't escape what has happened to other nations who placed their faith in their own. They faded into history, we are just people, and without God, we are in trouble. But your poem was superbly written, great rhyming and narrative, blessings Roy
Comment Written 25-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Thanks so much Roy, as I know God will handle it, I am human and it still worries me for my grandchildren. Thanks so much my friend.
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Well done
Comment from leather
Much of this poem plucks from recent events, things we are familiar with from news feeds. There is an assumption in the last paragraph that may leave some readers 'out of the loop' if they don't know the good friend and political analyst you refer to. Ending punctuation is included for questions, but not statements.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Much of this poem plucks from recent events, things we are familiar with from news feeds. There is an assumption in the last paragraph that may leave some readers 'out of the loop' if they don't know the good friend and political analyst you refer to. Ending punctuation is included for questions, but not statements.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 25-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Thanks for your kind review and I realize that part may have been hard to understand, but as a professional analyst p, he predicted almost everything that would happen if Biden got in, almost to a T. I maybe should clarify in authors notes. Thank you again my friend!
Comment from Sally Law
Thank you for this. So well penned and said, mystery poet. I miss the way America was and the values that made us who we are as a nation. We've lost or purposefully misplaced so much. Mac Davis wrote one of my favorite Elvis songs. I understand your adoration.
Sending you my best today as always and best wishes for upcoming contest
Sally :))
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Thank you for this. So well penned and said, mystery poet. I miss the way America was and the values that made us who we are as a nation. We've lost or purposefully misplaced so much. Mac Davis wrote one of my favorite Elvis songs. I understand your adoration.
Sending you my best today as always and best wishes for upcoming contest
Sally :))
Comment Written 25-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2022
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Thanks Sally. Actually because of the rhythm I was reading my poem in,
I read it many times before realizing that it sounded much like that song.
So I thought it might be helpful if anyone had trouble, but most seemed to think it moved smoothly. But I thank you so much my friend for your very kind words and review.
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I think it's beautiful either way. Congratulations on your well-deserved win. :))) Sal XOs
