Reviews from

Miscellaneous Poems - vol 3

Viewing comments for Chapter 43 "A sacred right"
Yet more poems

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

This is an excellent poem, Craig. There is no reason that you shouldn't enter the contest. By the way, your profile pix is great. It's fun to see what each other looks like. Marilyn

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Yes, it is fun to put a face to the name. And I was bored of looking at whatever silly placeholder I've been staring at for years. Thanks for the kind words, Marilyn, appreciated :) Craig
Comment from Dawn Munro
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Enraging lip service by this protagonist whose heart and brain have been novocained beyond comprehension (or maybe he/she was born numbed/spaced out/ stooo-pid.

Did I tell you how much I love this poem? No? Well, alright, I guess the fist six I am giving out will tell you...

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Thanks so much for the great comments and lovely shiny stars, Dawn. Apparently, some people think this protagonist's position is entirely reasonable. Go figure :) Much appreciation, Craig
reply by Dawn Munro on 08-Sep-2019
    I know -- those folks are missing a few marbles if you ask me...

    You're very welcome, Craig -- flawless writing and a powerhouse message!
Comment from catch22
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh Craig, I know this is a satirical look at the gun control discussion. You really make your point well in this piece and pose the real absurdity of trying to weigh values like the right to bear arms against the right to life. I am amazed it is debatable for some. Excellent use of metered quatrains to get the point across.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Thanks for the wonderful rating and kind, thoughtful comments Pam. It is quite mind boggling to me as well that some actually applaud the view expressed here. Most grateful, Craig
reply by catch22 on 10-Sep-2019
    You are welcome Craig.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A very well-written heartfelt poem about the mad and siclear people who go out to kill people are the ones to blame not the guns, or know knives or bombs but the ones who plan the killing and execute it.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Thanks very much, Sandra. I very much appreciate your continued support. Craig
Comment from --Turtle.
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi, Craig,

Strong poem, I read it and thought the flow and rhythm was easy to follow, dripped with the sorry, not sorry that makes me sad every time this happens over again. The general argument, the only people you would be taking guns away from, is the 'bad' people, who would get them anyway, it feels empty in the trenches of blood.

Anyway, I'm out of practice for reviewing, I wanted to let you know I read this poem and appreciated the sentiment within.

Last weekend, I went camping... and I was mildly surprised when our campsite was approached by the camp management offering tickets to win a gun raffle. Uh... no thanks?

At this rate, it feels like we'll have to have wavers to not own automatic rifles.

Nice job with this poem.
Turtle.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Few of the bad people are identified as bad until they actually go out and mow down a classroom of kids or a church full of worshipers. And since they aren't all cooperative enough to get 666 tattooed on their foreheads, and clerks aren't psychic, the argument doesn't really hold water.

    I'm appalled at the choice of raffle prize, but hardly shocked. Why couldn't they have offered a nice BBQ or portable shower? I know, silly idea.

    Thanks for the wonderful comments and the terrific rating, Turtle. Much appreciated, Craig
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Well, this and your other poem of how unempathetic the words "it could be worse" shows me that you are definitely being sarcastic.
I cannot even begin to rationalize or justify the craze of guns here. But it's not a "right" as the Second Amendment was written at a time when this country didn't even have a military, probably not even a police force. But I do know some really kind and compassionate, loving people who own guns and like in your poem, do carry them with a mind to protect. One such person stopped a guy who claimed he had a bomb in a theater. Still, I'm with you. I think everyone needs to give up their guns!

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    I'd forgotten I had written another poem drawing attention to that same phrase. How sad that you remember my material better than I do lol

    All of the evidence indicates any "preventative" use of firearms by the general citizenry is far, far outweighed by the number of innocents killed by people with legally owned firearms. As much as the pro-gun lobby love to use this justification, it doesn't hold water. What is needed is a government with the courage to take some tough measures, at the risk of upsetting a large and powerful lobby group. Thanks, Helen :)
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I think you should have entered it as it speaks eloquently to the topic and is exceptionally well penned. While the approach may have offended some, it is the truth as guns don't act on their own - they are acted upon by unbalanced and callous human beings. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Thanks for the kind words. They are appreciated. Cheers, Craig
Comment from Susan X Smith
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I am not sure why you wouldn't have met the criteria. It looks to me like you would have, but anyway, thanks for posting this poem. I recently wrote a story which involves a 3 year old girl killed in a car accident, but to be deliberately and senselessly murdered is even worse. Thanks for sharing. I am glad you posted this poem.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Thanks for the kind words, Susan. I appreciate them very much -- Craig
Comment from Debbie Pope
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is so annoying. I just wrote you like a two page review, but it got erased somehow. I'll try not to be redundant in case it floats its way to you.
I love the irony that you present. First, let me address the irony that you did not enter this wonderful poem in the empathy contest. You would have won for sure. Take that statement from someone who consistently enters poems in the wrong contest. I think a poem belongs, so I enter it, knowing full well that it won't even be considered. By not entering yours, you tell the judges to loosen their criteria and see why the poem was entered. Give the writer some credit. Anyway, thank you for that.
As to your poem, my favorite part is if "the good folk all have more guns"
they can have the thrill of killing the bad guys. Of course I see the insanity of this, but, at the same time, it brings to mind my wish that an earthquake or some other natural disaster would get rid of terrorists. If the natural disasters have to happen, why can't they kill off the bad guys. I guess that I would get a warped thrill from that.
Once again, your head is where it should be. Somewhere along the way, you picked up a value system that should be followed. You seem to know truth, and you have the gift of eloquence in presenting it.
I love your photo. You look just like I thought that you would, ukulele and all.

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    Arghhhhhh, I hate when that happens. Thanks for having the patience to re-type another quite lengthy review! I'm glad you got the point of the poem, and also understood why I didn't enter it. I think many of us secretly harbor wishes something really horrible would befall those who perform very evil acts. As far as the photo goes, I don't have many to choose from. That's one our small town "news hound" took when we opened our little ukulele group :) I really appreciate your kind support, Debbie. Thanks again. Craig
Comment from Sugarray77
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is very well written and I have to agree that you would have been thrown out for it does not show much empathy toward the father in his grief... which was the entire point of that prompt... BUT, I stand with you in declaring and maintaining our constitutional right to own arms... if we let them go, we all become targets for aggression. Well done, Craig!

 Comment Written 08-Sep-2019


reply by the author on 08-Sep-2019
    You're 100% correct -- it doesn't show any empathy at all. Just as well I didn't enter it :) Thanks for the kind words and the exceptional rating, Melissa, they are much appreciated.