Comment from Father Flaps

Excellent

Hi Joan,
And we complain about paying taxes! Joseph and Mary had to travel about 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. That would only take 48 minutes today by car, traveling 100mph. But back in their day, it would be quite a long journey. And there's poor Mary, ready to give birth any day to her son, on the back of a ... No! There's no mention of Mary riding a donkey to Bethlehem. And, if she walked that distance, almost 9 months into her pregnancy, swollen feet and ankles, how did she ever do it? Mary was tough, no doubt about it. So Jesus was born in the "humblest of surroundings" to a very weary young woman. He came from Heaven to a dark world. He was light, and still is light. And the earth is as dark as it has ever been. 2024, and the world on the brink of war once again. Israel may not realize it even yet, but they are drawing us into a bitter conflict if they don't back off. But this is why Jesus came in the first place.
I'm way off base now, aren't I, Joan? Let's just hope peace can be reached before we celebrate Christmas 2024. Everyone wants peace, except the terrorists.
Hugs,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 13-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 13-Aug-2024

Hi Kimbob,
Thanks for going back in my portfolio to find this. Glad you liked it.
I hope she had a ride. I hope for peace too. don't think your so far off, which is sad.
Joan

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Great entry for the Christmas Poetry contest.

Already Christmas? LoL

Excellent 5-7-5 form with good syllables count and connection between lines. I like the presentation too.

One suggestion

a baby is born
in the humblest
surroundings~
Brings riches to world

Good luck!!!

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Sep-2023

Thanks for the kind words and good luck wishes, MariVal.
I'd rather do Christmas than Halloween.
Joan

Comment from jessizero

Excellent

This poem was perfect for Christmas. I like how you opposed humble with riches. Thank you so much for sharing this poem here, and best wishes to you.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Sep-2023

Thank you, Jessi, for the nice review and good luck wishes. Both are much appreciated.
Joan

Comment from Douglas Goff

Excellent

Haiku? Oh, bless you.

Okay that was my joke for the day. Great piece of work! I like the whole Christmas nativity scene. Mostly cause it was the start of saving our souls from eternal damnation. But also because putting the Son of God in a barn was so perfectly God-like.

D.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Sep-2023

Hi Doug,
Thanks for reading and reviewing. Both are much appreciated. I agree with your last comment.
Joan

Comment from Ginda Simpson

Excellent

A sweet Haiku, painting the Nativity scene as we have imagined it from early childhood, but so much more. The last line carries the message and the meaning of why we celebrate Christmas.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Sep-2023

Thanks for your kind comments and all the stars, Ginda.
Joan

Comment from JSD

Excellent

Great entry for the contest. I love the way you carefully balance the humbleness with the riches. Very clever. All neatly encapsulated in seventeen syllables. Well done and good luck.

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 26-Sep-2023

Thanks for both the nice review and the good luck wishes, John.
Joan

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

It's a lovely short poem about the most important birth in the Christian faith.
Now, a haiku is always concerned with nature, but a birth can maybe also be seen as nature. All best, Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2023

Thanks for the comments and high rating,Ulla.
I thought about the nature aspect right after I posted it. But decided to go with it.
Joan

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

A fine Christmas nativity poem and I enjoyed the sentiments here, the festive season will be upon us before we realise, I enjoyed your sweet natured presentation Joan, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2023

Thanks for your kind comments and all the stars, Dolly.
Joan

Comment from royowen

Excellent

The amazing thing is He became poor to make us rich, born in a stable with an animal feeding manger for His bed, the owner of the universe show this setting for His birthplace, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2023

Thanks for the nice review and rating, Roy.
Joan

reply by royowen on 25-Sep-2023

Most welcome

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

Very well done. You do poetry nicely. I have talked to Tom and he says we are not allowed to ask each other to read our work. It is on our contract. Since this is the main reason lot of us came on here, I am confused. Karen

 Comment Written 25-Sep-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Sep-2023

Thanks for reading and reviewing. I think the rule means that its an automatic ask to read by just posting. You get an automatic 2 reviews for each poem. And if you promote your poem so it gets on the title page you get more readers.
Joan

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 25-Sep-2023

I think this policy will drive people to use email and not this site so much, Most folks I know were not fo;;;oeong that rule. Karen

reply by the author on 25-Sep-2023

I?ve followed this rule since 2007, when I strongly this site. I give filters of poems when other members ask for them.
Joan

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 26-Sep-2023

Just finished the carnival contest bit. I hope it is okay.