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Reviews For July 26- August 1

1. ***** "Drowning In Fear" by Samantha Mullen
   Your poem sends a good message to reader. This reader understands how and what you feel--been there myself. The reading of the poem is excellent, and the closure-wonderful. I rate this piece a 5. G.

2. ***** "My Strongest Need" by John A. Wilson
   John had me going there for a minute (blush). Very cute. C.R. Sweeney

3. **** "A Simple Man"by Loyal Wray
   I enjoyed "A Simple Man," and think the author shows promise. His clipped sentences get right to the point...I did catch "reenlist again," which is repetitive. However, his subject or "hero" was believable and certainly sympathetic to the readers. Nett in NH

4. ***** Beneath A Silver Bath By Janelle Gregory
   I read Janelle Gregory's poem - "Beneath A Silver Bath"- and I rate it 5. I don't know much about judging poems, but as I read it, I felt it was I sitting there enveloped in the wonderful glow of the moons silvery path. Sincerely, Barbara A. Foote

5. ***** Druid Night By Charilette Rae Sweeney
   Loved this piece for what it has to say and how you say it. You paint a vivid scene, emotionally as well as physically. It's reads beautifully when read aloud. Minor problem: after dances: "must have been"--try to change to active voice. Thanks for this. I think this poem deserves a 5. g.

6. ***** "Fear Of Loss" By Wayne Stone
   I rate this 5/5. This is from a man that seems to be in pain after a great loss in his life and the true feelings he feels for this person. It gets you right in the heart. I want to just hug him tight and tell him everything will be ok.

7. ***** In Memoriam by l. Hansen
   Oh how moving this piece, fresh from grief's pool.. please give L. Hansen a five for this.... Janelle

8. ***** Marching Men By Bill Truax
   The rhythm of this poem and the messages it sends to the reader deserves five points. G.Davis

9. *** Now What Day Today Is By R.L. Walker
   It's today, but it is verging on tomorrow as the clock ticks on. You pointed your problem here yourself; the poem starts with a great rythym, and then the redundancy begins, and the poem loses its strength. I tried to think why you would send it, knowing it is redundant, as in: you felt redundance make the piece stronger. I agree with the message, but consider a rewrite with some cutting. Idea is great! g.

10. **** My Strongest Need By John A. Wilson
    This was a good poem until the last stanza; then it became an excellent poem. And, I like your chocolate ending. Yum! Would you consider rewriting earlier stanzas to match the last powerful one? (Yikes)I think this is a 4 point poem. g.

11. ***** My Strongest Need By John A. Wilson
    I rate this a 5+ *L* Mainly because I was the driving force behind John writing this poem because he wanted my chocolate award *S* If I do say so myself, and I do, he did an excellent job. I have his poem proudly displayed on my chocolate homepage: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Great job once again John.

12. ***** "Summer Treats"Geraldine Cook Davis
    I would rate this short poem a 5. I thought it was "delicious." Al Caron

13. *** Take Two By Ashley Presutto
    I like the first two stanzas of this piece, although I like the rhythm of it all. I'm confused with the third stanza as to meaning, and I believe the last stanza needs rewording--I think I know where you're headed, but it needs clarification. Nice work. I think this piece deserves a 3. g.

14. **** A Simple ManBy Loyal Wray
    This was an excellent story, but very sad. I give this story 4 stars. Anonymous Please.

15. ***** A Simple Man By Loyal Wray
    I give this story a rating of 5. It was truly a beautiful story and well written also. I enjoyed it and would love to read more from this author! Thanks for your attention. Dawna

16. ***** A Simple Man By Loyal Wray
    a remarkable story - I knew something terrible had to be coming, but not as it did. yet it fits. a simple man a simple event a simple but horrid ending My heart aches for this quiet caring man who doesn't even exist!

17. **** Tophet By Harold Pruett
    I would rate this Story a 4. Above average. The story is very well written. The only flaw that I can find is that it is so short, I find myself wishing for more information. Robin

18. ***** Beneath A Silver Bath By Janelle Gregory
    Excellent! pulls the reader into a realm of emotion as well as a picturesque dream

19. ***** Beneath A Silver Bath By Janelle Gregory
    Enjoyed this whimsical poetry in which I basked under moonlight. Nice, slightly sensual. Lynne

20. ** Cappucino-A Twist Of Fate By Kelly Mitchell
    I feel hyper just reading it - Rating = 2 PJ

21. ***** The Black Girl By John A. Wilson
    The Black Girl - 5. My only regret is that there isn't a higher rating, because this is truly fine writing, in a different class from all the rest here. This could make it into "Chicken Soup for the ------". I'm a bit embarassed, now, to have posted my story, "Milestone", which is also involves a dance, but seems trivial in comparison.Roderick Young

22. ***** Daydreams By Loyal Wray
    Definately a 5. My face still hurts from laughing so hard!!! Dawna

23. ***** Daydreams By Loyal Wray
    I love it; it's precisely what I begin to think when I daydream about winning a million bucks. The only problem is, my daydreams aren't nearly as amusing! I give it a 5. PJ

24. ***** Fallen Leaves By Bill Truax
    I rate this as a five. I thought this was a vivid portrayal in words of both the season of autumn and the autumn years of life. Very worthwhile reading, with a great positive thought at the end. *Lynne*

25. ***** Holding Hands By Loyal Wray
    5 all the way across the board! The author has written this in such a sensitive and caring way that it has truly moved me. I have tears streaming down my face as I write this. Excellent work. Dawna

26. ***** Holding Hands By Loyal Wray
    How does he take such a simple act and look at it from so many perspectives? How does he draw my emotions, funneling them from light heartedness and happy, to bittersweet and tender? Loyal is an amazing writer.PJ

27. **** My Hero By Colleen Sweeney
    "4" A little confusing but well written. Sad

28. *** The Bear By Michael Casey
    The Bear - 3. I felt a little of the danger. You could have the reader on edge if you took a little license and made it look like the bear might have been pursuing you.Roderick Young

29. ***** A Simple Man By Loyal Wray
    I think "A Simple Man" by Loyal Wray merits 5 points. I like the way the story is written, its' poignancy had me reaching for a Kleenex. Myra

30. ***** Remembrance By Geraldine Davis Cook
    I love Remembrance by Geraldine Cook, the end was superb! Please give her a five for me. Janelle

31. **** Mirror By C. R. Sweeney
    Being an insensitive teenager, I'm not really into poetry, but I really liked your piece. Don't worry about starting to look like your mother; it's a fate we all suffer.NB

32. **** Salvation By Geraldine Cook Davis
    I liked this one, because of its unique voice and the religious images that are brought in to our daily needs. Makes you think. Lynne