Reviews from

To Live or Re-Live

poem

22 total reviews 
Comment from dmt1967
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This poem is a bit too thought-provoking for me. This has nothing to do with your writing skills, though. I review the piece and not my likes and dislikes, hence the five. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 21-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 21-Apr-2016
    Don't want anyone's brain exploding. LOL
    Thanks for being so objective. I try to be as well. mikey
Comment from boxergirl
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hey Mikey,
Is it against the rules to give two sixes to the same writer on the same day...cause too bad, that's what I'm doing.
This is some deep stuff, my friend. and I love it...I'm going to have to read it several times to get all the good stuff...every last drop of it! Well done! :-)

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    I don't think it's against the rules, but it's shocking!! Wow, I'm so thrilled you enjoyed this. It's something that means a lot to me and very much my style for sure. So your response is really special. I may never stop smiling. Thanks a billion, mikey
Comment from Autumn Splendour
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is an intriguing, fascinating and challenging poem. It takes a while to unravel and I almost gave up LOL, until I came to this part which in a way, the whole poems pivots on it:

"can't you see?
you are born to live the life
that's meant to be
not to dwell in some
conundrum pulling at some knot
that wasn't meant for you
to try and loosen and untie


and there's no answer if you do
and no time left now for you
and just a little rope
and it won't serve you well


you ponder destinations but you've already


arrived


you're not going anywhere
you're not a traveler
it is clear
for hell's a warm, warm
home




or

live


true

as

you alone"

So it challenges the reader to live life as fate dictates or to look it head on and make the best of it.

Interesting and well written albeit perplexing.











 Comment Written 20-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    Hello, Autumn
    I'm so honored that you have spent so much time with my poem. Yes, you have it exactly right.. This is one of my most difficult pieces, I certainly admit that. Sometimes as a free verse poet we will just write what is in our mind and hope that understanding is found within. I realized that the beginning was difficult and was hoping the ending was clear enough to tie it all together if the reader spent the time. So, I'm smiling now.
    I thank you so much. What a wonderful review. You've made my evening. mikey
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh, what a way to start my day. Head pounding, tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, trying to spit cotton wads that won't turn loose. Must be time for a little hair of the dog. BRRRRRR . . . . Thanks for another fine read. :-)

 Comment Written 19-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    I got a bit carried away here. Well, they couldn't catch me to be honest. So they tried, but I escaped ... again. LOL
    Glad you liked. mikey
Comment from closetpoetjester
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

We can only live the life we've been given and I'm sure as we compare it to many others, we work out where we fall in the grand scheme of things.
Without living the same life twice, we have to look at every step of the way as one that moulded us into the thinking individual that we are now.
All shit aside, I bet you've written some damn fine poetry as a result of the life you've lived and the hardships you've endured.
I sometimes think the biggest broadest shoulders are delivered some of lifes biggest encumberments, obstacles, struggles or alternatively, hurdles.
With that said, the silver spooners are the ones I feel sorry for. Anyone that's endured a life worth living always has a story to tell and will often prove quite resourceful when pushed or should the time arise.
Yes indeed M. You HAVE arrived!
Now, come on in, sit down and take a load off. Char grilled burgers with special sauce coming right up haha

P

 Comment Written 19-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    Mmmm. That sounds pretty damned good. LOL
    Such lovely encouraging and insightful words. I'm really pleased and touched to sit here and read all of this. You're so very sweet and kind, truly. I am pleased you liked this. It's what I write when I write what I want. :))
    Thanks so much. I may show up for the burgers. LOL mikey
reply by closetpoetjester on 20-Apr-2016
    LOL

    Hot plate is on.
Comment from robyn corum
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Ahhh....back on the couch, eh?


Okay. You've brought me a good one this time. Let's see. To sum it up, I THINK what you're saying is that, for MANY of us (especially the gifted, creative, talented writer types -- hehe) childhood can be hell. We have no say about the family we're plopped into. We have no say about the morals or traditions or ideals that they instill in us while we are so young, we don't know any better. Lucky for us if we have a friendly pet around to give us licks and hugs and unconditional love.

When we're old enough and ready to begin 'writing'/scribing our own life - making our own decisions/ going our own way -- good luck. Try to find the write 'instruments' or teachers. Try to feel the right way on your own, buddy, and good luck to ya.

In the meantime, I'm gonna use you and abuse you for my own pleasure - you're just a kid, right? What can you do? Although, due to time and circumstances, even the unlucky kids get reprieves. Thank God.

So you start looking back over your crummy life and getting a bit angry and thinking Life owes you. Your parents owe you. This can't be what it's all about. You gotta get what you deserve outta life - however and whenever you can. Doesn't matter how you do it. (And sometimes it's even possible to make those yucky nightmare stories of your childhood even appear WORSE. The longer you study on them, the blacker they get. The BIGGER that boogie man grows!

So you tell anybody who'll listen. Pour your heart out. And what's it get you? De nada. Everyone's got a story. Mine's worth $3.50. Yours might be worth $7. Big deal.

And the fact is, even through all the bull**** and all the baggage, you made it. You're a good guy. You're strong and safe, and reasonably happy. So... Does that mean the pain doesn't matter? Does that wash it away? Noooo...but it helps you get through.

And you could spend the rest of your life looking for what 'coulda been', what 'shoulda been' -- but in the end, you're only chasing your tail. Cause all you're ever gonna have is RIGHT NOW. And NONE of the other stuff matters. The only place you need to worry about is here. The only time is now. The only person is you and what you can make of you.

***

It's a magical powerful piece, Mikey. With just the right amount of puzzlers. I won't say I enjoyed.... But I appreciated.

SOME of it was truly brilliant. Thanks!


 Comment Written 18-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 19-Apr-2016
    You're really rather awesome, Robyn. Damn, you have this so totally on the money. You get it better than I do really. HAHAHAHA!!!! I'm always hoping just one or two people "get it" when I write something like this. You never disappoint. I really can't thank you enough. mikey
Comment from l.raven
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

OMG Michael, this is quit a poem...says it all...sounds like every bodies life...and is it to late to change...or just stay as you are...really a great poem Michael...don't know how you put it all out there like that...just pulls you in...very well thought of you...and very well written...love Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 19-Apr-2016
    I started blathering AND I didn't stop. HAAAAHAHAHA! That's what happens when I'm left alone. LOL
    I'm so pleased you found stuff that made sense to you. You must be nutty as a loon, or I'm sane. :))
    Seriously. I'm just thrilled you liked this. Thanks so much. mikey
reply by l.raven on 20-Apr-2016
    LMAO you...I am...LOL...sooooooooo welcome sweet boy...luff xxoo Linda
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Tis a grand poem indeed, Mikey. I see this as a transition through life beginning with birth where the poor innocent child needing suckling is indiscriminate to where nourishment is obtained, because he/she is after all only a new born and will bond with what is there to bond with.

Even if the child is reared as no higher than a puppy all that is needed is unconditional love.

Did you mean tabula rasa, the blank slate or is that poetic license? But love how the hormones got in the way with the Daisy Dukes and a little Dukes of Hazard.

So true that memories are artful dodgers but at the end of the day the life we all are living is the life that we have.

This is the kind of poem a person needs to read many times to grasp all the nuances, personal and universal truisms.

An exceptional poem indeed.

Gloria

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 19-Apr-2016
    Hi, Love
    You know this just saves me that you understand my wild ramblings. I really am trying to say something in spite of me pretending I'm just talking. I'm just not expecting people to get it and trying to save face. LOL
    You have it on the money and so much of your response is beautifully put. I may just steal your words and put them in my notes. It is you who are exceptional
Comment from Dawn of Tomorrow
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, that was incredible. Smile for that sweet story could've been so gruesome gory. You have could've have, need to fix that. I didn't really see anything else outside of perfection in this piece. Love how it flows down the page, love the rhyming, love the story, just all around outstanding work.

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    Wow, Dawn. That is one of the most uplifting reviews I've received in a long, long time. I'm really delighted you enjoyed this. It's important to me. Thanks so much. mikey
Comment from ~Dovey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Mikey,

You have such profound imagery and have thrown so much into the idea of "live and let live" here, I just don't know where to begin. I think this piece works so well because you have so many contemporary references, which speaks to changing attitudes over time. Writing this poem twenty years ago wouldn't have made as much sense as does writing it today.

Did I just say that you made sense? I think there are a couple passages where some might not agree, but it came through loud and clear to me. This is an excellent conversation piece, I'll bet everyone is talking about it today!

Great job!

Kim

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2016


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2016
    Hi, Kim
    It's truly nice to hear I make sense. LOL
    I'm hoping some of it does. I know it just takes off and goes. I'm sure there are parts where it's hard to get the flow or gist of it. But I'm just hoping that a lot of it DOES come through. It sounds like it did for you, so I'm totally thrilled with that. Thanks a million, mikey