Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Excellent

A lovely image and topic choice.
I also enjoy the floral beauty in my garden at all
times of the year.
This thoughtful Tanka captures the beauty of the
hydrangea which we are fortunate to see in varied
colours over here in Oz.

 Comment Written 28-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 28-Jul-2014

Thank you Shirley.

Comment from rod007

Excellent

Your love of flowers is very evident in this poem and others you have written. I love this flower as its pompoms adorn our jaunts along the flower scented path. Well done, Tom.

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 27-Jul-2014

Thank you rid

Comment from Green Lake Girl

Excellent

Loved your penned tribute to the Hydrangea. Such a beautiful flower. Never knew they were toxic or intoxicating! Maybe I should go roll one . . .

Great job, Tom. Super photo, as usual.

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 27-Jul-2014

Thank you. Marietta. I didn't mention that some make tea from it too.

Comment from 9999pool

Excellent

Good luck to the contest. A smooth and easy read, about the hydrangea and the author's notes are truly brilliant in explaining how the flowers got their color and of its potential toxicity in cyanide.
A great story about the hydrangea and the rhyming of this tanka is a refreshing change for the readers.
Cheerio, best, Ritchie. :))

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 27-Jul-2014

Thank you Ritchie for such a nice review.

reply by 9999pool on 27-Jul-2014

My pleasure as always, smiles.
Cheerio, best, Ritchie. :))

Comment from sunnilicious

Excellent

Nice tanka poem for such pretty pompoms. The flowers in that bush are small, but very full. Great visual imagery created. Creative. Nice work. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 27-Jul-2014

Thank you Alicia.

Comment from Capricorn30

Excellent

I didn't realize hydrangea were white--I've only known them to be pink or blue--not realizing acidity causes them to turn color--interesting;
A well-penned tanka--nice alliteration of "pretty pompoms"--as they do indeed strongly resemble these puffy items;
"Your pretty pompoms";
"catch the flower lover's eye";
So true; flowers always easily noticed!

 Comment Written 26-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Jul-2014

Thank you Margaret. Yes, they are most distinctive.

Comment from Angel Debbie

Excellent

I love your write on these great plants I have them in my yard and they don't know what color to be. As they begin pink and later turn blue. Now near end of season for them they are brown. Thank you for writing this great write on my favorite plant.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 26-Jul-2014

Thank you Angel Deb

Comment from sweetwoodjax

Excellent

this is a beautiful tanka, treischel, I am glad for the author notes as I was about to dock you for rhyme, lol. I love the look of hydrangea and think they're beautiful. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Jul-2014

Thank you Sweetwoodjax. Yes, I consider that note essential.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Another beautiful poem, Tom, this time a Tanka. I am a lover of the Hydrangea, especially the pink lace cap variety. I notice you say the white one is the most common. That took me by surprise as I rarely see the white ones, the blue variety is the most common here. We change the colour by adding acid to the fertilizer, and it gives us the pretty pink variety. I am quite taken by your lovely white Hydrangea, and I am now going to see if I can find one for my garden. Good luck in the contest, Tom! :) Sandra

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Jul-2014

Thank you Sandra. Yes, it's all by the soil acidity.

Comment from Pyrrho

Excellent

wonderful. Thank you for gracing your Tanka with both rhyme and excellent flow and for creating content compatible with the poetic excellence.

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2014

---

reply by the author on 25-Jul-2014

Thank you Pyrrho.