Hi Fivesixer ,
I'm reviewing your poem, "Given To You" , as part of your shower.
WHY I CHOSE TO REVIEW THIS ITEM:
You are one of the showerees listed in the "Showering Acts of Joy Garden" - CONGRATULATIONS! I love the holidays immensely, but they are somewhat bittersweet for me. My parents are deceased and my brothers are scattered all over the place. I get a bit more sentimental and emotional this time of year while I think back on the holiday celebrations of days and years gone by. I am reminded, sometimes very painfully, that my loved ones aren't “here” this year. I miss my brothers. I'd love nothing more than to be able to spend the holidays in Germany with my family. I miss my parents terribly, though, I know they are now angels watching over me from above. That being said, when I saw this poem written for your dad, I just had to read it.
OVERALL SENSE:
My love for the holidays definitely comes from my dad. He was always such a kid at heart. His sense of humor is unmatched. I have yet to meet anyone as funny as he was. He got into the holiday spirit like no one else I have ever known. Think Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation, yes, even the mishaps. They make for some fun memories! That was my dad. As I'm preparing for the holidays again this year, I find myself being nostalgic and even a little heavyhearted. My dad's birthday would be Friday and that just adds to it. I knew this would make me emotional, but that's OK. A good cry can be quite therapeutic. Special days can also provide opportunity. They invite us to remember the good times shared in the past with our loved ones. They give us a chance to think about, talk about or take action that allow us to honor someone who continues to be special and important to us, still. This is how I felt when I read your poem. I felt as though I was thanking my dad for being a wonderful father, friend and confidant who was such a positive influence on my life. If it hadn't been for him, I definitely would not be the person I am today. So, thank you, for writing this piece that made me think, and be thankful for, all of that. After all, this time of year is for giving thanks.
CONVENTIONS:
This free verse poem reads well and has a rhythmic feel to it. It flows well, but there is one area where I struggled slightly, which I will note below.
"but I know you'll have that.
Silently, you'll be thankful for that."
I struggled with these lines because I felt ending two lines in a row with the word "that" was a bit redundant. I think the use of "you'll" in both lines could also be altered to help the overall flow of the piece. What if you were to change these lines to the following?
"but I know you will have that.
Silently, you'll be thankful for it."
Those two very subtle changes do not negatively impact the meaning behind the poem, they merely enhance the beauty of it.
SPELLING/GRAMMAR:
I found no spelling errors. Grammar is always such a personal choice for each and every poet; some use it, others do not. Personally, I feel that punctuation helps the reader determine breaks in thought. It also helps add emphasis in specific areas. Your poem is perfectly punctuated. Very well done!
FAVORITE LINE(S):
"I only came along as a thank-you."
I enjoyed the entire poem, but this line really hit home. It ends the piece well. It is the summary of the poem as a whole.
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
Other than what I have noted above, I have no other suggestions. Whenever I come across a piece of writing that is so deeply personal and emotional to the author, I cannot bring myself to offer too many suggestions for improvement. What you have written came from your soul. It's a lovely tribute to your father.
CONCLUSION:
This was a heartfelt, deeply emotional read for me. I'm sure you feel the same way about it. I am guessing that this may have been difficult for you to write, but, I hope, that writing about it has helped you. You have a gift for writing from the heart and soul. I'm so glad I came across this item in your port!
Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the good work! WRITE ON!!
NOTE: Please remember that the above comments and suggestions are only one person's opinion. Take what you can use but never be shy about discarding what you cannot. Most important of all, keep writing, improving, and contributing to our wonderful community!
My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Go Noticed" .
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