Comment from Mark Valentine

Exceptional

I saw that you were an Ogden Nash fan and had to browse through some of your posts - love your slightly off-beat humor. This one reminds me of William Hughes Mearns "Antigonish" - do you know it? ("As I was going up the stair, I met a man who wasn't there...")

Your take on the prompt is brilliant. Someone could write a self-help book titled "The Act of Non-Doing".

Looking forward to more browsing.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2017

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

I'm not sure about the context of this poem. I think you are saying that you don't want do-gooders to try to help. I think many people do feel that way and consider it interference. Nevertheless a good poem of what not to want. Marilyn

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 11-Jul-2017

Your take on my poem is interesting, Marilyn. Not exactly what I had in mind. Consider first, it's headed as satire. The speaker complains about getting confused by conflicting advice, which probably includes good and bad, and in between. He needs a clear mind to make his decisions, and is confident his remarks will be understood as facetious. They're directed at the perpetrators, not the innocent FS reader. The narrator is speaking for himself, fortunately, not for me.

There are many folks, especially among the elderly, whose decisions are influenced or controlled by others. Some readers are sure to identify with that. Not you, Marilyn, who, I'll bet my bottom, brooks no interference.

Thanks for giving my poem so much thought, and for all your support.

Don

Comment from Nikki-Nicole

Excellent

After reading 'You Don't Know How Much You Helped', I find that it follows the guidelines of the contest and makes a good entry.
I was drawn in by the first line: 'Thank you for all you didn't do for me today.'- This line expresses a gratitude beyond the ordinary. It reminds me of a line I wrote in my journal some time ago- "Thank you, GRAND, for NOT teaching me how to live without you. There are some things I have to learn to do on my own."
Nice image. The portrait shown supports the topic discussed. The background goes well with the picture and color of font chosen.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
Thanks for sharing your version of Gratitude Expressed in a poem.
Good luck with your future writing.
-Nicole-

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2017

Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my gratitude poem, Nicole. I wasn't sure how it would go over on FS.

Comment from Walu Feral

Excellent

Hahahaha! G'day Anon.

That little poem is a scream, mate. Beautifully written and mirrors my thoughts exactly on some occasions.

A very funny and well written contest entry and I wish you the best of luck.

Cheers Fez

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2017

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2017

Thank you, Fez, for the kind of response I find most gratifying. My goal usually is to entertain, and it looks like I succeeded with you.

As to the contest, I think the odds are with God, as He's the worthy recipient of most of the gratitude in the other entries. I expect the voters to go with the chalk. (That's an expression in horse racing, meaning betting on the strongest favorite.)

Thanks again.

G'day

reply by Walu Feral on 08-Jul-2017

You are probably correct about the voters.

However, whilst God has done a lot for me over the years, including providing a meeting with my beautiful wife... there are a mountain of people who have done nothing... even if they say they will hahahaha!

Good luck, mate.