Reviews from

Shore leave

A hallowed eve of tropic joy

65 total reviews 
Comment from duchessofdrumborg
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

"Shore Leave" is an exceptionally well-written and deftly descriptive piece. This talented poet's work was a pleasure to both read and review. A definite six.

 Comment Written 18-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, Duchess, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
reply by duchessofdrumborg on 18-Oct-2016

    Tony, as always you're very welcome.

    Best wishes, the Duchess
Comment from John Parkin
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You set the stage and brought me into the picture as one watching and smelling the bay and then an amputated doll almost heaven sent to make a child's delight. God works in wondrous and simple ways to make a child delight. You took me on a journey and opened up my senses and closed with a happy ending so simple. The picture was excellent and it melded nicely with your poem.

 Comment Written 18-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, John, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
reply by John Parkin on 06-Nov-2016
    YOur welcome
Comment from jlsavell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Tony, your beautiful poetry sings with perfection. This Asian tour is filled with stark imagery and emotive phrases. Incredible work Tony. You truly are one of the best. This work truly deserves nothing less than a six.

Jimi

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, Jimi, and for the Clayton's six stars. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Selina Stambi
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

moonlight's wanton stare .. love this

like a toothless harbour whore .. picturesque :)

There is an effortless ease about your poetry, Tony. You are one of my favourites on this site. Wish I had more time to read more of your wonderful work.

Sonali


 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, Sonali, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sis Cat
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Phenomenally vivid and exotic poem of a port of call in Asia that is filled with sights that are both strange, alluring, and squalid. I sense sailors going on shore leave to patronize

"a short-lived tropic queen,
leather skinned but sweet within,
white-pulped flesh sucked from the stone,
juices dripping, putrid brown
to stain and mock the bridal gown."

The sights and smells are squalid, like a floating sewer. Children play with amputated dolls. Amid these scenes is the still small voice like a prayer "God only knows where."

Thank you for sharing your tour de force of descriptive poetry.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, Sis Cat. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have a feeling you know your area because the descriptions you used shine through the whole piece and the description of the children and the trials and errors is first hand. Nicely described

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind review, Barb. Much appreciated! You are right, I spent quite a bit of time in the Far East both as a child and as a young adult. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from RazorFace
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Creates a good picture with both rhythm and rhyme. I can feel the cool evening and experience what the writer is putting out. I liked it.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this kind review, RazorFace. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Dawn Munro
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

That's the thing about travelling the world as sailors often do, isn't it? There's a lot of poverty away from our comfortable countries, and we forget just how disturbing it can be to witness it first-hand.

Amazing write, Tony. The imagery is haunting, especially of the children (re: the doll).

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2016
    Thank you very much for this very kind and perceptive review, Dawn, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
reply by Dawn Munro on 18-Oct-2016
    It was my pleasure.
Comment from krys123
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Good day to you down under Tony;
-you intricately Vesuvius wording overflows and is uncontested by which it maneuvers a reader's mind which is fixed on the delicate imagery of each and every one in your poem. The people who sway their lazy fans, the one-eyed beggar squatting on a frayed mat, a cradle sampan rocking, a toothless harbor whore, some at-leave sailors, and a leathered-skinned tropic Queen are all the mixed that create this cornucopia on the harbor shoreline.
-A home for all on this hallowed eve of tropic joy where you lift up a prayer to the Lord and he only knows where and made you received and atoned.
-You, Tony, use words as an artist uses his paintbrush and every splash of paint on the campus of time to create a sparkling, majestic macramé of life.
-Thank you so much, Tony for sharing and posting and I could say to live life fully but it seems that you've already accomplished., that from what I know of you.
-Take care and have a good one.
Alex

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2016
    What a stunning review, Alex. I was absolutely delighted by it! Best wishes, Tony
reply by krys123 on 19-Oct-2016
    You're very welcome Tony and I'm glad you enjoyed the review.
    Alex
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is amazing, It evoked memories of the Far East where I have spent a great deal of time in my life. I even lived in Bangkok for a while. Beautiful poem with great imagery. I really liked it. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2016
    Many thanks, Ulla. Glad it brought back memories and that it came across as being authentic. I grew up in Singapore and returned there for a few years later in life, and also knew Hong Kong quite well (the photo was taken there). Best wishes, Tony
reply by Ulla on 17-Oct-2016
    Oh, Singapore. I knew Singapore when it was still authentic as I see it. When the old Raffles was still there, Boogie street, and so on. I loved it. Yes, I do know that part of the world very well. Your poem just brought back all that, Ulla:))