Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Excellent

Yours is the only one that I read so far that braved the trials and reconstruction of others to do a poem instead of a prose. Very well done and you got the feelings across at the same time

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Barb,

Thanks for taking the time to read and review this long piece. I appreciate all of your excellent comments.

Kim

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Exceptional

A very well-written soapbox entry. A great poem to illustrate that we are one human race, our skins may have different colors, but it is what we find in our hearts and souls, that makes us different from animals.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Thank you so much for this exceptional review, Sandra. I truly appreciate your comments.

Kim

Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear

Excellent

This Soapbox Poetry tells concern of falling of humanity what leaders and men have in their own interest to protect humanity and ensure human values; I enjoyed the read in rhymes.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Alcreator,

Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate the insightful comments.

Kim

Comment from Sasha

Excellent

I am out of 6's so please accept my virtual one. I read this several times and am in awe of your awesome writing skills. How could any sane and caring person not agree with everything you stated in this beautiful and inspiring poem. This song by Luis Armstrong is my absolute favorite. Stunning work with this one. I hope you don't mind but I want to copy and past it and place it above my computer so I can read it every day. I definite see you As the Poet Laureate for Mother Nature. Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant gem with us.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Wow! You've made my entire day! :) I spent a lot of time on this one today (more than my average) and I am so happy to see that you've appreciated the effort. You are more than welcome to copy and hang above your computer. What a perfect compliment. A virtual six is a stunning gift any day of the week. :)

Thank you so much for the glowing comments. I've listened to that Armstrong song so many times today. I had a friend who is long since passed now and it was his favorite, too. It always makes me think of him. Maybe he was sending me a message today. I didn't think to add in the song until I was working on my author's notes, that thought came from out of nowhere.

You've made me very happy!

Kim

reply by Sasha on 14-Apr-2017

Thanks for letting me copy this, I plan to have it framed an hang it on the wall above my computer where I spend the majority of my day.

reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

You are welcome. You've made me smile. Thank you

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

This is really lovely, Kim! Who could refute such an all-encompassing, peaceful, life-affirming proposal? I also love Norman Rockwell paintings which show such innocence and idealized life.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi lyenochka,

That is it exactly. I know that things weren't perfect during his era, but his paintings depict a much more idyllic life than our world leads today. There has to be a way to recapture some of that, while moving forward with the technological age. Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate your comments.

Kim

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Exceptional

Kim,
This is awesome. Your lines are so meaningful, well-constructed, with excellent flow [I would say meter but then that would mean that I understand it which I am still trying to do.].

Your subheadings as indicated by the Roman numerals tell a little story alone. But as a whole, the story is awesome. Your words contain sound advice. Everything you wrote is doable IF mankind takes a serious look at what he has wrought & makes a conscious effort to improve.

I like the theme of each verse. So it is difficult for me to pick out just a few lines. But I can say this. I LOVE the way your last line 'sums' up the meaning of the awesome art by Norman Rockwell.

Excellent job! Jan

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Jan,

I sponsored this contest without the intention of entering it at all. I haven't been back to the Politics forum except maybe once since then, but I posted it there and invited them to put their ideas to good use and propose constructive solutions. It seems only Gloria has taken me up on that invite.

The closer the deadline loomed, the more I thought about what I'd say if it were me. I know that things weren't perfect during the era of Norman Rockwell's paintings, but everything he painted had that idyllic quality. What if life were really that way? How happy could the world be? I think the only thing that will ever unite us all is a threat to the planet itself. And this piece was born lol

Thank you for the fantastic gift of this exceptional review. I appreciate your time and thoughts.

Kim

Comment from kahpot

Excellent

Excellent poem and, setting and artwork I hope you are right yet wrong I would love to see the people out and about to clean our world and stop visiting all the screens all the time, happy easter and very well done****kahpot

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 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Kahpot,

Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate your comments on this lengthy poem.

Kim

Comment from Nikki-Nicole

Excellent

I totally agree with the poem.
Great artwork: The image is a perfect fit for this poem.

--We must treat each other as we want to be treated. People have to start asking themselves, "Is there a Heaven for the rich and one for the poor? If we choose the wrong path, will be divided up into two different Hells?"

Thanks for sharing your poem.
Good luck with your future writing!
-Nicole-

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Nicole,

While things were far from perfect from the 40's - 60's when Norman Rockwell's paintings were appearing on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post, it was a far more idyllic world than the one we live in today. I think we need to recapture that and move forward with the advances we have made, instead of taking one step forward and then two steps back.

Thank you for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate your comments.

Kim