Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hey, Craig... read through this nonet, a word of the day and contest entry in one.

An easy theme, it's a fish eat fish world. Though, I guess whales are mammals... so it's probably not correct to use the fish eat fish, here.

The 'glad that i'm not gobbled', even though punctuated to apply to the mom, because it comes first on a line of it's own... indirectly gets applied to the pov ... meaning, that it can be read applied to the little sardine moving to the shoal, too.

Not sure if it was intentional, but I think it works both ways, without adding any additional words. Everybody is glad to not be eaten.

nice alliteration with whale wonders/ calmly claims

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2018

Thanks very much for a review which is both thoughtful and fun, Turtle. There's a bit going on here with building work and outside chores to get done before the cold weather sets in, so it's a bit of a struggle to keep up at the moment. Still, onward, ever onward lol Cheers, Craig

Comment from Sharon Haiste

Excellent

I think this is a good entry for the Nonet Poetry writing prompt.
Your story of the sardine is clear and well written within your verse.
Well done and good luck to you with the competition.
Sharon

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2018

Thanks you Sharon. You kind review is most appreciated. Craig

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very well written Nonet poem you penned for the contest. You used very cute and good words and appropriate art work that went well with the words. Best wishes in the contest my friend! Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2018

Thanks, Teri. Most grateful for the kind review. Craig

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

Love the laconic response of the father! Very Australian! Are you sure it wasn't a young Tommyruff? Sometimes it seems that it's no bad thing to stray away from the shoal, despite what mums and dads might say.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2018

You might be right, Tony. Thanks for the kind review. Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Ha, hell kettle is a most apt word and particularly for those whirlpools and undercurrents that hide out in water like the sneaky little eddies they are.

That said, the one thing I like is you gave this story a happy ending. I'm big on happy endings even though so much in life is just not that.

Great job, Craig and best wishes to you in the contest.

Gloria

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

Thanks very much, Gloria, for the kind comments and the good wishes. Yep, Sammy Sardine got lucky this time. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

HAHAHAHA!!! Poor, wee thing - lots of predators around, including moi. I can't believe you personified a sardine!!! I hope this wins the contest - it's an absolute hoot! Well done. I'll be grinning over this one all night.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

Well, thank you for the lovely review and rating, Dawn. I'm glad it tickled your funny bone. Cheers, Craig

reply by Dawn Munro on 23-Mar-2018

:) Cheers.

Comment from strandregs

Exceptional

Wow a fantastic use or engineering of the nonet structure.
it is a hard one to crack
and you smashed it to bits.
for fun after the contest i think a growing nonet one to nine
with utilizing the other meaning of school would be good fun.
unless you think you did that here.
best. :-))Z.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

I will have to give that idea some thought :) Thanks for a fantastic review, and the super rating. Cheers - Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Nnet about the Sardine school and introducing your word of the day 'hell-kettle' which means a deep gulf or abyss where the sardines hide and wait for the wale to pass.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

Thanks very much for the kind review, Sandra. Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

Hi Craig,

Your word for today makes me think of kettle chips and a fine kettle of fish :)

This fish theme reminded me of the movie, Finding Nemo. Good fun.

Good syllables in each line. Excellent enjambment. Your words have a fine triangle shape. Best wishes in the contest.

Joy xx

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

LOL yes, it does have a kind of "Finding Nemo" feel, doesn't it? Loved that movie. Many thanks, Joy. Cheers - Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

"Hell-kettle" is a good word. Many times when we are in the "abyss" we do feel confined (a not-so-fine "kettle of fish," and eager to get out of it. On another level, if we think about the tiniest of creatures--like the sardine--they have their worries, too. Survival is on the top of all our lists. Marilyn

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2018

Thanks for the kind words, Marilyn, and the thoughtful review. Have a great weekend :) Craig