Reviews from

On Staffa

A Ballad

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

your little puffin is gourgeous
I am in love with the scenery and the cavern
the poetic graceful language is beautiful and the imagery makes us want to read it over many times
I feel like there are millions of places in the world to visit with feathered friends that I never knew about
have a smiley day

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 16-Sep-2017
    Glad you enjoyed this one, Smiley. It was based on a very special memory of mine. All the best, Tony
Comment from Eternal Muse
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Tony, another masterpiece of your pen. Incredible job with this ballad, superb use of language and imagery. Thank you fir introducing the island of Staffa and it's inhabitants to us.

its tones funereal and sad,
a dirge in minor key,
a bagpipe drone with dark bassoon,
and restless slop of sea.

Those are just superb!

Your genius always warms my poetic heart.

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 16-Sep-2017
    Glad you enjoyed this one, Yeltel. It was based on a very special memory of mine. I very much appreciate your kind words and the accolade of six stars. All the best, Tony
Comment from apky
Excellent
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A wonderful poem which transported me to such beautiful places.
It was like watching a slow-motion ballet, and it evoked my curiousity to learn more. The length was a bit daunting, especially for a no poet writer like me. But I do love reading poems, I just don't have the talent to pen one.
The descriptions were marvellous.

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, apky. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from frierajac
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I love your poem for the lending of the ballet terms to puffins and still describing them as they are as clearly as possible. It is very informative and I am going to keep it and share with friends. Thanks so much. Unfortunately, being nature lovers here we often mourn the passing of such scenes as these.

 Comment Written 13-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, frierajac. Glad you enjoyed it enough to share. I appreciate the six stars.. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Abby Wilson-hand
Excellent
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NICLY DONE AND I LIKED THE PICTURE
TO GO WITH YOUR POEM IS THIS A CONTAST
ENTRY IF NOT IT SHOULD BE

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Abby. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from GWHARGIS
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Your poem took me to a beautiful place that left me curious to know more. It was lengthy but each stanza took me farther into the winding cave. Good descriptive phrases. I liked the introduction of the quirky bird. Great poem. Gretchen

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Gretchen. Glad you enjoyed it. I very much appreciate the award of six stars. Most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mrs Happy Poet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is well written my friend you bring this place to life with so much detail through the poem I love the picture too I enjoyed well done regards Jill

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Jill. Glad you enjoyed it. I very much appreciate the award of six stars. Most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Gert sherwood
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level


Hello tfawcus
A ballad to read (how nice) and what an educational and delightful to read ; as I was reading you well detailed and vivid ballad this stood out

There soon emerged a rainbow beak
and small tuxedoed bird
that waddled by. She cocked an eye
-- no doubt thought us absurd!

Gert

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Gert. Glad you enjoyed it. I very much appreciate the award of six stars. Most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
reply by Gert sherwood on 13-Sep-2017
    You are welcome Tony
    Gert
Comment from Leineco
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Not having been here for considerable time, I was delighted to see
a poem of yours on the welcome page - I knew right then I picked
a great day to drop in :-)

As always, your poetry drew me in to the world you were painting
and kept me entranced with almost flawless meter and easily
imagined visuals. I suppose my own personal love affair with
puffins added to how delightful I found this poem to be.

I feel a need to mention these three stanzas were my very
favorites, both in their construction and in their positioning,
in terms of "pacing" within the poems structure (not to mention
their vivid focus and poetic sensibilities):


A lucky few win through, transformed,
no longer Harlequin,
but dancers now, with fluid grace,
that pirouette and spin,


We talk a while, considering
our sunny outcrop throne.
A giant with volcanic force
begot this stepping stone,


And does the ghost of Fingal still
repel fierce Valkyries,
as down they swoop upon small birds
in basalt galleries?

Gorgeous poem T :-)

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Leineco. Glad you enjoyed it. I very much appreciate your detailed and perceptive review and the award of six stars. Most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You give very clear images of this memorable day. The word choice from beginning to end has an Irish/Scottish feel. This is apt since the Hebrides, as you know, lie between Scotland and Ireland. I have always wanted to go to Scotland, The Isle of Mull exactly, because I'd like to visit the MacLean Castle, in Duarte, Scotland. on that island, because it is my family's ancestral home. The clan chief still lives there.

Keep writing

Joan

 Comment Written 12-Sep-2017


reply by the author on 13-Sep-2017
    Very many thanks, Joan. Glad you enjoyed it. How interesting about your family. If you ever do get the chance to travel, Mull is a marvellous place to visit. Best wishes, Tony
reply by dragonpoet on 13-Sep-2017
    You are so very welcome, Tony. I will try my best to get there.

    Joan