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Reviews For Sept. 21- Sept. 27

1. ***** "Is A Life Of Faithfulness Really Worth It" By Bill Murray
   Powerful words written by a courageous man of God who has discovered the true meaning of living life to the fullest. Five points is not nearly enough! Raye McDonald

2. ***** "Shattered Dreams" By Kathryn Charak
   Excellent work - I had an old friend who was going blind and the feelings and fears she expressed to me were exactly like what was written in this poem - great depth of feeling and characterization Dianne Connarton

3. ***** Silence- Golden or Deadly by Raye McDonald
   a very powerful statement said succinctly and well. Maybe if more people did speak up more often, there wouldn't be as much abuse in this world. Don't feel guilty, a lot of use would and maybe have done the same... Alice In Wordland

4. ***** "Calling Dr. Stein" by Geraldine Cook Davis
   LOL, LOL - I had to give you a five, just because it made me laugh so much! Alice In Wordland

5. ***** "Untitled" by Tanya Farrington
   No fancy words, but this is exactly what my heart said when I had a broken relationship. Sometimes honest words are better in a poem. And I have a feeling you're about to find something WONDERFUL. The type of woman who can still be charitable even when hurt is in great demand once you're in college. - Rod, former teenager. Roderick Young

6. ***** "Silence- Golden or Deadly"by Raye McDonald
   This compact, thought-provoking piece intrigued me. It's length, and clear, direct style are perfectly suited for one of those page-a-day devotional books. I hope you collect your thoughts often, and that we see more of them. If you get enough, you can publish a book! (p.s. Which is the greater problem in the world, inappropriate silence, or lack thereof?) Roderick Young

7. **** Silence- Golden or Deadly By Raye McDonald
   Very good subject and well written. I guess we have all been there. On the other hand, it is beginning to look like a shortage of discipline (with love) of the young may be our current problem. Jack Mann

8. ***** Gerri By Bill Elder
   This has got to be the funniest thing I have ever read. It says a great deal with only eleven words and I didn't even have to use the dictionary. LOL Very , very well done! Jack Mann

9. **** "Clementine" By Bill Elder
   Very Good, but not quite as good as "Gerry." Author has the unique ability to say a great deal with very view words. This truly takes talent. Jack Mann

10. ***** The Window by Robyn Porter
    A very good story with a unique twist. It sets you up for one thing and then gives you another. Well written and descriptive. Well done! Jack Mann

11. ***** The Window By Robyn Porter
    Beautiful and sensitive writing. I was there looking out that window at this sweet child. Thank you for this. You get a solid five from me. Hope you submit more writings! Raye McDonald

12. ***** How Will I Know By Craig Vedder
    A few years ago I would have said "you will just know" but now I am not so sure. I think it is about 75% luck. LOL Good Poem and well written. Jack Mann

13. ***** Calling Dr. Stein By Geraldine Cook Davis
    Very witty, very creative, I like the style and loved the suprise ending. Diana Keeton

14. ***** The Little Kitty By Jack Mann
    Sincerity at its peak. This is from the poet's heart to the heart of little children everywhere. I envy his depth of feeling. Bill Elder

15. ***** She Was A Beauty By Alice Bateman
    I like the honesty in Alice's poetry. Everything she writes will touch at least someone, sometime in their life. It is easy to give five points to this poem! Raye McDonald

16. ***** "Hug Them Now" By Alice Bateman
    I liked the poem and hope to read more by this author. (i like this site too :0) Anne

17. ***** How Will I Know By Craig Vedder
    An extremely good question, Craig, and I think I might be finding out. Your first two lines pretty well sum up that flush.... Very well done..... Hope you'll become a regular. Alice In Wordland

18. ***** The Eaves DropperBy James Morford
    James, I wasn't prepared to have the heart ripped out of me in five minutes or less. Maybe you should post an emotional hazards warning at the beginning. Very moving..... Alice In Wordland

19. ***** Summer Treats By Geraldine Cook Davis
    Summer Treats is lots of tempting fun. Delightful imagery. Anonymous

20. ***** Calling Dr. Stein By Geraldine Cook Davis
    Silly fun. Susan

21. ***** To Love Someone Is To Give Them What They Need By Bill Murray
    Another powerful message from Bill Murray - a man who is living with ALS. His sermons come from depths that most of us will never learn, unless we find ourselves in a position silimar to his. God bless you, Bill. Keep writing. Raye McDonald

22. ***** Falling In Love By Toni Boyer
    Toni- I'm not not really into your type of poetry, but in my opinion, you did a very good job with this one. Keep writing. emily- I wonder if you and I are related somehow? :) Emily

23. ***** How Will I Know By Craig Vedder
    Cute poem. I liked the raw honesty in it. I believe the "you are once again hole, should be "whole".....otherwise, very enjoyable. Write more and good luck in finding your lady love. Raye McDonald

24. ***** The Owl and the mouse By Jack Mann
    What a great poem, Jack! Well written, good message, and I can see it as a children's book.... Alice In Wordland

25. *** Searching By Jan Henry
    Jan, this is pretty good, a message a lot of us can relate to, but the flow just isn't there, sorry...... Alice In Wordland

26. *** The Traveling Wall By John Wilson
    A nice story - smacks somewhat of a "real" experience by the author which, while it lends the story an aura of credibility it also detracts from the overall effect as, us readers who did not experience the same emotions because we were not "there" somewhat lose the impact, and makes us wonder on the point. Nevertheless I believe the story is well written and for a niche target market very good. Bruce Longman

27. ***** Bumpy By R.L. Walker
    This poem certainly has food for thought. I like the variety in this man's writing. My taste runs toward the realistic, rather than the frivilous. I look forward to more submissions from Mr. Walker. Raye McDonald

28. ***** Final Selection By Raye McDonald
    Very, very, well done! A heartfelt example of being taking advantage of at one's lowest point. Whether it is intended or not, I think this is the perception most of us have under these conditions. I can relate. Jack Mann

29. ***** "The Eaves Dropper" By James Morford
    Please don't stop the story here - unless you wanted me to feel the boy's agony and uncertainty on into the night. If so, you succeeded. PJ

30. ***** "The Final Selection" By Raye McDonald
    You wrote a story that captivated, brought the emotions of wanting to give one's loved one "everything," and taught a lesson as well. Thank you. PJ

31. ***** Voices By Tanya Farrington
    Yes, Tanya, I hear those voices. Keep working on your poetry to help others hear as well. PJ

32. ***** Silence- Golden or Deadly By Raye McDonald
    My sentiments, as well. Same teacher. Same scene. Same silence. Same shame. PJ

33. ***** Where Have All The Children Gone by Jack Mann
    Jack writes from parenting experiences. I enjoy his poems. They are refreshing and full of light and love. His thoughtful writing is so needed in these perilous times that we live in. Give us more, Jack Raye McDonald

34. ***** The Eaves Dropper by James Morford
    I'm sorry this happened. What's next? Scooter

35. ***** St. Francis- Radical Revolutionary by Alice Bateman
    thanks -interesting way of describing him Scooter

36. ***** Inspiration by
    Loved the rhythm of the piece, and that's not usually what I look for in poetry. Great content and theme--when teaching, I used a cattle prod--same thing. Excellent problem solver. Gerri

37. ***** Silence- Golden or Deadly by Raye McDonald
    Raye- Good piece, and you bring up an excellent point. I've been told that you are supposed to calmly ask, "May I help you?" (Then you get to smack the kid, too, or verbally abuse in this case.) No, you are to say that you can see that abuser is having a bad day and ask if there is anything you can do to help. Sometimes offering help, acknowledging the abuser is out of control, in pain, too, and you are there, helps. See, you got the reader thinking. You say "she is angry." The reader knows this. The caps on WILL worked well for me. Good job.(I saw a woman smacking a kid over and over in the super market; I did nothing, but I'll not forget the embarrassment in the child's eyes. Very sad. You had me empathize with you. Gerri