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401 Public Reviews Given
404 Total Reviews Given
Public Reviews
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Review of Shaky O'Day  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (5.0)
Nice work.
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Review of Noon's Cat  
Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This is a clever poem, and I like the flow. Congrats on a deserving win.
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Review of Neighboring Yarn  
Review by Don Two
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
Masterful work!
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Review of Performers  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (5.0)
Beautiful flow and apropos to the image and subject. Write on.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
A real nice story, well written with emotion and detail and apropos specificity. The rhyming spells fit right in with charm. A most deserving win...Don
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Review of Winter Solstice  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (5.0)
Winter Solstice is a snappy 16 line poem with fine imagery and strong lines. As was the case of early man, the celebration of the sun’s return was a great event worthy of celebration. Here the poet capture’s that with lines like, “We’ve notched the moon’s cycles,” as well as, “Women harvest holly.” The poem is abundant with poetic device, from the alliteration to the fine assonance as in, “As the sun chases chaos.” The poem blends the right amount of dynamics with jaw-pleasing caramel, as in, “Tomorrow we will thread them.” One can almost see and hear the hunter-gatherers of medieval England in utilization of vine as Charles’ Wain gives them pause overhead. Kudos.
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Review of Taxing  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (5.0)
Excellent, snappy and cute. Well done...Don
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Review by Don Two
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
Absolutely wonderful! Kudos on a gem. Don
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Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
"No-one dares to know" is a fairly powerful poem, direct and with economy. It evokes feelings that are negative since it deals with the hurt that words can do, effectively put by this phrase: "Reckless words wounded the soul." Also, "Words spewed forth from shameful lips." The word choice is good and apropos. The poem is 18 lines total, broken into stanzas of 4 lines(two) and 5 lines (also two). The speech is direct and economical, coming right at the reader. The beginning captures effectively: "In night rain, she lingers." More of the mood is reflected by, "Emptiness overwhelms." The ending is powerful, indicating the severity of word-wounding and indicated shushing. Write on.
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Review of Man of Dreams  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"Man of Dreams" is powerful and well-written. It is 12 lines total, broken into three stanzas. The flow is good, albeit varied syllable rhythm, with consecutive rhyme. The theme is Martin Luther King, his vision, and also his assassination. It is of a man of God, back then, "Who have a dream, a dream of when." This is good flow, and effective repetition. The message was brotherhood, and the ability to forget the past, and the familiar, "Free at last." This is effectively set off by the unfortunate assassination, by a man of, "...ignorance and hate." Each man must have a dream. Thanks for sharing this fine poem, and write on.
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Review of The Wind  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"The Wind", is a lovely poem, incorporating much of nature, particularly astronomical object, with love and a lover. In its 16 lines of two stanzas each, fine lines, softly spoken, relate an enjoyable and pleasing tale. There are good constructs, as in describing the wind blowing, as it, "...pushes the feathery / clouds past a moon beam. So along with good image, there is good dynamic. Then blend of emotion with nature is very fine. I see no major errors, other than perhaps the need for a comma after "slowly", in line (11). Thanks for sharing, write on.
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Review of The Cosmonaut  
Review by Don Two
Rated: ASR | (4.0)
"The Cosmonaut" is and interesting and intriguing story that has good images, and is quite imaginative, and unique. The story starts with the cosmonaut, "Abandoned amongst the stars..." (perhaps, "among" would be better here), and would have been rescued but for the fact that he could not complete, "...my repairs to the engine." This is followed with a description of being lost in space: "Darkness flooded over like ink introduced to water." Then, facing the fact that his last breath, "...could come any minute," there is rumination about his parents and his revealed atheism. In the silence of space, he catches a glimpse of the white shuttle. Apparently, however, this is all a dream because he wakes up, "....beside my wife." Then there begins another crisis, an ordeal similar to the dream, where he becomes, "...aware how heavy I breathe," among other things. The ending is interesting, vivid and perplexing, so I shall not spoil it, and this is a unique piece to say the least, and I think I will remember it for quite some time. Thanks for sharing, write on.
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Review of Ugly  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (3.5)
"Ugly" is an emotional poem, albeit short, and feeling and perception of feeling. Since it is a mere three lines, there is not much development, and the reader (I anyway) would like a little more. But there are some good points, like the very first line, "Echoing the spill of your tears like a mirror." The mirror is key in this, as it reflects the dichotomy (the ugly and the beautiful). The true colors are not always seen, in the mirror, or elsewhere. A fine concept, write on.
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Review of Trapped  
Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
"Trapped" is a fine poem that tells the story of a trapped crow, and then apparently is freed, somehow. The poem is 39 lines total of varying stanza length. Word choice is good as is the line construction. Imagery is excellent, such the images of life form (a cat, worm, the crow itself) and very specified items, "And grasping with his good talon." As well as a good descriptive tale of the event, ("Black wings flapping uselessly"), the concern is also conveyed, as the piteous plight of the crow is felt. A well-written poem, descriptive, dynamic and one that is memorable and emotionally impacting. Write on.
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Review of Time Travel  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.0)
"Time Travel" is an acrostic poem spelling out, "Time Travel." Word choice is good, using strong words like, "infinite," "Transient," and "Acknowledge," for example. The nature of time is stated, "Time is infinite," then the poem addresses the poet's realization that, "My time is measured," yet there is the statement that the poet must, "Evolve." Stanza two, then, is the hope and advice for man embrace life and, "Love life to its fullest," because there is only so much time. We travel through life (time travel) so we have to make the best of it. It is a poem of hope, and is inspiring. "Acknowledge your humanity," is indeed apropos. Write on.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.0)
"Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire" is an acrostic poem about a dying Earth, and the escape to somewhere else in the Milky Way. The acrostic, that it, the reading downward with the first letter of each line reads, "The Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side." A lengthy acrostic, deserving of credit. The poem itself examines the plight: "Escape is our only option in which to save the day." There is reference to "Yellow Suns" and "Red suns", and also a, "mad god" who is trying his worse. Optimism is mixed with pessimism, for even though the, "...forests are beautiful," still, "Human beings are disappearing. The question is, what will become of humanity? A fine line that stands out: "Searching, ever searching, for that ideal world."

There are a few glitches. Line (7): "Send them spiralling into the night;" it should be "spiraling." The line prior to that, talking about anchoring the ships "to heed Earths call," it should be "Earth's," showing possession. For line (13), "Wondering if they under a curse", you need, "are" after "they." Lastly, in the next to last stanza, "Others though begin to notice." Two commas would be apropos, as in, "Others, though, begin to notice." This is for clarity, of course, and helps the reader greatly.

This is a fine concept, with imagination as well as technical aplomb dealing with the acrostic and also the relevant message. I enjoyed this very much, and I thank you for its production and for sharing. Write on.
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Review of HATRED  
Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | N/A (Review only item.)
I simply love the this poem, "Hatred," being that it is well-written and also because it exposes the hypocrisy seen by religious conservatives with the issue of gay people. The first stanza says is so plainly, so eloquently, I would like to quote it all, but here's some: "Coursing with power from evil hearts / Causing sorrow, pain, torture, even death." Bravo. As the poet points out, it is ugliness, "...the worse of humankind." The balance of the poem (inspired by the death of Mathew Sheppard) then points out the hypocrisy of religion, of Christianity, and that for it to survive, "Gay sons and daughters must live." Hatred must vanish, indeed, but religion is inherently divisive, and as long as it continues to rip apart the fabric of humanity, it will remain an obscene perversion.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"The Truth Around Us" is a fine nature poem that's both dynamic and image filled. I am able to come away with vivid sights and sounds, and this poem adds to my appreciation and awe of nature. Woodpeckers, squirrels, butterflies and a cherry blossom tree can be found here, as well as a volcano that, "...blows hot debris." There are lots of good lines, like, "wind caresses me to show I'm not alone. Along with the active and stark reality of nature, this poem addresses the impact on the person, "swept up," made well aware of the surrounding truth. Write on.
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Review of The Storm  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"The Storm" is a Rispetto poem, which is two stanzas of four lines each, and rhyme pattern, (abab), and (ccdd). It is of the moon and a maiden who, "...strummed her lyre sweet." Image is good with surf and sands and ankles. The maiden sings (she, "plucked the frets.). The poem ends with dynamic image and apropos dichotomy in fine poetic form. Write on.
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Review of The Bogeyman  
Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
"The Bogeyman," is a well-written poem, cute and charming with good rhythm and a dynamic and apropos ending. It is 20 lines, divided equally into 4-lines stanzas. The rhythm pattern (SR) is 8-8-7-7, an effective scheme. Word choice is good, such as "Sheathed", "pulsating" and "quaking." Imagery is fine, with heads on pillows, and it conveys activeness, as with, "slam the bolt shut," and, "...quaking limbs now cease to shake." The impact on the children is demonstrated with aplomb. Write on.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"The Anticipated Transformation" (wonderful title) is a fine poem of souls reuniting in the afterlife. It is ten lines long and the rhyme pattern is consecutive. The poet describe the "familiar souls" that are at, "heaven's gate." Then the poem switches to the wish to not be sad as the body, "lies at rest," for the spirit now is cleansed and with God, and that, "Suffering and pain are mine to bear no more." The flow of the poem is good, as is the message of hope and peace conveyed. Write on.
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Review of WINTER  
Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"Winter" is a snappy acrostic poem, spelling out, "Winter". It is a poem of hope and puts a nice face on winter. The wonderment of winter floats, "In the air," and the focus is of the, "New Beginnings," that are soon to arrive. When the, "...frozen flakes cover the rose," everyone can find repose. Write on.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: E | (4.5)
"The Magic of Making Love" is a passionate poem about passion, about making love. Total lines is 16, divided into four equal stanzas, and the lines vary in length, some of them much longer than SR (10) which works well in this piece. This good line, for example, "The rainbow weaves color and reveals your burning passion," is SR (14), while some lines, like the last, for instance, is just (9). But in this fine poem the emotion and effective word choice and phrase predominates. "I conquered your lips like I was walking on an endless shore," demonstrates this. Finally, the rhyme is consecutive all the way through except at the very end, with, "I become both master and the slave, / And you...the lover and the beloved." A break, a change-up to be sure, but in this case effective and apropos considering the overall impact and aplomb woven into this well-thought out piece. Write on.
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Review of Squirrel Survivor  
Review by Don Two
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
"Squirrel Survivor" is a cool quick poem (for the 55 word contest) that moves fast and coveys the squirrel's anticipation about crossing the busy road. The squirrel assures himself things will be okay ("Alright. I've done this before. Not a problem.") Then there is conveyed action and speed with words like "Fast!" "Dodge!" and "Weave!" It was a close call for the squirrel... or maybe not! Write on.
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Review by Don Two
Rated: ASR | (4.0)
"Golden Opportunities" is an interesting poem about the indulgent nature of mankind. It is 28 lines total, divided into seven equal stanzas. Syllable rhythm (SR) varies, ranging from (8) to (6). The keys to this poem are the lines, "Golden Opportunities / Discarded as if nothing," (the first two lines and then repeated again as the first two lines of the final stanza, for good effect) have an (SR) of (7).

The theme is what is man to do here on Earth, in the physical, the corporeal, with the opportunities granted, if there is a sacrifice of spirit, say. The poet wonders if youthful and carnal pleasures are, "...our total worth." The question is put: "What has the spirit here to do?" The poet also speculates, "Perhaps inherent wickedness / inhibits all things wise." I like the rhythm of those two lines, being that they are [8-6].

That particular stanza also has a good rhyme scheme (rhyming "wise" with "demise"), however not all stanzas are rhyming, so there is an inconsistency which detracts some. For example, the first two stanzas are non-rhyming (although there is the "worth" and "Earth" endings for lines four and eight), and that would be perfectly fine except then we have effective rhyming patterns in the middle stanzas. Since this is an exceptional concept for a poem, I think it would be better served using consistent rhyme or none at all. As such, then, the final stanza, utilizes the, "Discarded as if nothing" (line 2) and then ends with, "From the moment of our birth" (Line 4). Respectfully, how about something like, "Golden Opportunities / Discarded without worth / Without a thought we savage / Beginning at our birth."

The poet has succeeded in conveying passion in this piece, with good imagination and word choice. I thank you for sharing this, and for the honor to review it. Write on.

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