Comment from Dean Kuch

Exceptional

So, based on your description, the king skimmer featured in your stunning photo would be a female, Tom, as no white bands or spots are evident?
Amazing photography.
Your Ottava Rima--a form which I do not believe I've ever read before--is quite stunningly written and wonderfully conveyed as well.
Impeccably rhymed, with a flow as smooth and silky as the finest satin from the far East, especially when read aloud.
Beautifully rendered, Tom...
~Dean

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Wow, Dean, I an blown away by your enthusiasm. Yes, indeed it is a female. No I'm compelled to give you a well deserved recommendation.

reply by Dean Kuch on 25-Sep-2016

The accolades were well deserved, Tom.
It's a fabulous poem.
~Dean

Comment from Joan E.

Excellent

Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge about dragonflies and for showing this female and comparing her to "Artemis" with her assaults on disease-carrying insects. I enjoyed your rhyme scheme and rhythm plus the close-up photograph. Smiles- Joan

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you Joan. They are amazingly no and helpful insects.

Comment from patcelaw

Exceptional

Tom, this is an excellent piece and point us to the fact that there are very good insects in this world such as the dragon flies and the lady bugs. We need to make sure we do not destroy them since they benefit us. Patricia

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you Patricia. Yes, and the bees too. I am pkeased that you enjoyed it, and am elated with at stars.

Comment from Brett Matthew West

Excellent

Poem depicts all creatures serve a function.

In this butterfly's case it is as a "disease bug nuisance nemesis".

Notes also interesting detailing this butterfly species.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you Brett. Glad you liked the poem and the notes.

Comment from RGstar

Excellent

Good to read from you again, my friend. Great imagery projected here with good alliteration throughout.
Good call of nature.
Well done.
Have a great day.
RG

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you RG.

Comment from Pantygynt

Exceptional

"...the dragonfly
that eats meat and bulets by"

So wrote the late great Ted Hughes in his remarkable poem "To Paint a Water Lily" where the less desirable features of nature are dwelt upon. It seems to me you have tried to look at both sides of this creature, its beauty and its efficiency as a hunting creature.

I do admire this sort of totality, an equivocal view. You are lucky to have two distinct nmaes for this one, Widow Skimmer as well as the genus dragon fly. somehow the former is more filled with threat than the latter.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you Pantygynt. Well, these guys often get a bad rap, when in fact, they are harmless and helpful. I am toverjoyed by the review and these six stars made my morning.

Comment from Poetic Friend

Excellent

Your poem eloquently and creatively the flight and beauty of the dragonfly. By reading this gem, I learned much about the dragonfly -- its journey and brief life.

Also, I love your word choice and imagery. Impressive.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you very much my Poetic Friend. Thank ban most pkeased that you both enjoyed and learned.

Comment from William Ross

Excellent

very good, nicely done on the dragonfly. has a great meter , reads and flows well. the rhyming is well done. Thanks for the share and have a wonderful day.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you William.

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Ottava Rima and an interesting subject of the widow Skinner dragonfly. Great informative notes on the dragonfly. An excellent photograph.

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2016

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2016

Thank you Sandra, I am glad for this review that commends the poem and the notes.