One Smiling Word
a poem45 total reviews
Comment from Bobby Jo
Uniqueness is always a way to stand out and hopefully belong because it is something different. I thought this was good. I hope you have a great New Year.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2019
Uniqueness is always a way to stand out and hopefully belong because it is something different. I thought this was good. I hope you have a great New Year.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2019
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Thank you for your thoughtful review. It would be nice, if that were usually the case, but it depends on how unique one is, on whether they will be accepted by the group. I am glad you thought this was good. Thank you for your honest review and the excellent rating.
Best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from Ronni
Your desire to retain normalcy in a 'herd' world, savoring your thoughts
of your own without being crowded out by the masses, is a profound kind of illusion and confusion; quite reatable indeed. Striving got
belonging within your own uniquness, ah that is ever the challenge
and victory over ambiguity within and whithout.
Most provocative presentation and musing to dwell on. Thanks
for sharing. Keep them coming!
Ronni
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2019
Your desire to retain normalcy in a 'herd' world, savoring your thoughts
of your own without being crowded out by the masses, is a profound kind of illusion and confusion; quite reatable indeed. Striving got
belonging within your own uniquness, ah that is ever the challenge
and victory over ambiguity within and whithout.
Most provocative presentation and musing to dwell on. Thanks
for sharing. Keep them coming!
Ronni
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2019
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Wow, Ronni. You have quite a distinct perspective, and great use of vocabulary to express, your very interesting view, of this poem. I love your 'take' on this. You not only 'get' the gist of this but, you outdo it with, "the challenge and victory over ambiguity within and without." This is a wonderful interpretation. Thank you very much for adding your view to the collection of different perspectives people have 'seen' in this poem, and within themselves. If nothing else, I give a person some things to ponder. I will keep writing and I look will look forward to you reading, and possibly reviewing, my future poems. Thank you for this extraordinary review.
Take care, Jesse
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Glad you appreciated the review, and as you look forward to me reading more of your future writes, which I shall, hopefully you might take peek at one of mine sometime, and kindly share
your thoughts and comments
on it.
Thanks Jesse, best always,
Ronni
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Hi Ronni.
Sounds like a good plan.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from royowen
A nicely crafted poem declaring that thought and substance are important, and to read not the collective thoughts, but the ones solid in substance and depth of meaning, as is your writing, written in free verse, and generally triplets, well done, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
A nicely crafted poem declaring that thought and substance are important, and to read not the collective thoughts, but the ones solid in substance and depth of meaning, as is your writing, written in free verse, and generally triplets, well done, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Roy, for your intuitive and insightful review. I appreciate the kind comments. I like your 'take' on this one. Thank you for your excellent review and rating. Have a great new year.
Take care, Jesse
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Bless you Jesse
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Thank you, Roy.
Jesse
Comment from Louise Michelle
I think most people share your sentiments. In this day of social media, it's harder keeping one's uniqueness, especially with young people. Everyone wants to fit into a group. This is especially true in today's political climate. I enjoyed reading your poem - you chose your words carefully and it shows. Hugs, Lou
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
I think most people share your sentiments. In this day of social media, it's harder keeping one's uniqueness, especially with young people. Everyone wants to fit into a group. This is especially true in today's political climate. I enjoyed reading your poem - you chose your words carefully and it shows. Hugs, Lou
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Lou, for your supportive review. Almost everyone who has reviewed me can relate this to their own lives. Your examples of social media and today's political climate, are just a few of the ways folks say my poem resonates with them. I am glad you enjoyed this, and I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for yet, another perspective on this, and thank you for the excellent rating.
Best wishes for a peaceful new year.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from Gail Denham
When I'm in a store I do look for friendly faces, for persons who are noticing something besides their grocery list. And it's fun to try and trade a greeting, give a smile, help someone find a product.
I like your poem - made me think.
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
When I'm in a store I do look for friendly faces, for persons who are noticing something besides their grocery list. And it's fun to try and trade a greeting, give a smile, help someone find a product.
I like your poem - made me think.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Gail, for your anecdote about greeting friendly faces while in a store. I am glad you liked my poem, and that it made you think. I appreciate your personal touch, and an excellent rating. Best wishes for a great new year.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
What beautiful words you've spoken in your poem. To survive the storm that comes our way, we have to be confident that life will be better each day. So we pray.
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
What beautiful words you've spoken in your poem. To survive the storm that comes our way, we have to be confident that life will be better each day. So we pray.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you for your kind positive comments. I appreciate the review and excellent rating.
Best wishes for a great new year.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from rspoet
Hello Jesse,
A most interesting write with strong imagery and flowing abc rhymes.
Belonging and uniqueness are layered things,
like the heart of an artichoke beneath the prickly protective leaves.
They are not easily reconciled.
It may not be possible to experience both simultaneously,
uniqueness by its very nature separates
and belonging often often requires sacrifice or stealth.
Those different are generally accepted by those open to expansive thoughts which immediately creates a dilemma.
It is usually fear that builds walls, the desire to protect fragile structures.
Sometimes one can exist in different worlds that do not interact,
but it is a tricky and delicate proposition.
A little yin in a yang, hidden from the yang.
Dylan wrote a line long ago:
If my thought dreams could be seen, they'd probably put my head in a guillotine, but its alright, Ma, it's life and life only.
Some dreams, like smiling words, are yours and yours only.
Stars also smile.
Robert
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
Hello Jesse,
A most interesting write with strong imagery and flowing abc rhymes.
Belonging and uniqueness are layered things,
like the heart of an artichoke beneath the prickly protective leaves.
They are not easily reconciled.
It may not be possible to experience both simultaneously,
uniqueness by its very nature separates
and belonging often often requires sacrifice or stealth.
Those different are generally accepted by those open to expansive thoughts which immediately creates a dilemma.
It is usually fear that builds walls, the desire to protect fragile structures.
Sometimes one can exist in different worlds that do not interact,
but it is a tricky and delicate proposition.
A little yin in a yang, hidden from the yang.
Dylan wrote a line long ago:
If my thought dreams could be seen, they'd probably put my head in a guillotine, but its alright, Ma, it's life and life only.
Some dreams, like smiling words, are yours and yours only.
Stars also smile.
Robert
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Hello Robert. First of all, thank you so much for this exemplary review, and exceptional rating. I agree with Dylan, if thoughts and persuasions could be seen by everyone, I would be in a lot of trouble. Thank you for seeing that they are mine and mine alone, to show to who I want to, and not to who would object. You've got my number, Robert. No one else sees what you see. You are my friend, and I treasure that, more than all the six stars in the galaxy. Have a peaceful and prosperous new year.
Take care, Jesse
Comment from Ogden
Good luck on hanging on to that normalcy! I'd like to know where you got it in the first place, and maybe I could get me some, too. :)
Best wishes,
Don
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
Good luck on hanging on to that normalcy! I'd like to know where you got it in the first place, and maybe I could get me some, too. :)
Best wishes,
Don
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Don, for this fun review, and commentary on 'normalcy'. It was meant as an ambiguous term. No real certainty as to what 'normalcy' is, or is supposed to be. I love your sense of humor on this issue. If you find it, please, let me know. Thanks for the enjoyable review and the excellent rating.
Take care, Jesse
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You're very welcome, Jesse.
I realize I'm not going to find it, so I'll have to settle for rationalization. Who wants to be normal, anyway?
:o)
Don
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Touche'!
I like your style, Don.
Jesse
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Nice image and
presentation, Jesse.
-Effective imagery and title.
-Your note is appreciated.
-An interesting idea in
the verse about thoughts
being overheard.
-The conclusion is good, too.
-Maybe this is a bit
of reflection on the old year,
as the new one approaches.
-Make it a good 2020!
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
-Nice image and
presentation, Jesse.
-Effective imagery and title.
-Your note is appreciated.
-An interesting idea in
the verse about thoughts
being overheard.
-The conclusion is good, too.
-Maybe this is a bit
of reflection on the old year,
as the new one approaches.
-Make it a good 2020!
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Pam. Your interesting review sounds like there is more you want to say. I'm not sure what to make of "a bit of reflection on the old year". I appreciate you choosing the parts you found nice or interesting. Thank you for the excellent rating, and I will do my best to make it a good new year.
Take care, Jesse
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You are very welcome, Jesse. No, I didn't have more to say, but the ending of your poem made me think of the New Year, and how most of us reflect on what was and what we hope will be, whether it is on a personal level or for people and the planet, in general. It was a good poem and one that makes you think about what it means as you read.
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Hi Pam.
Thanks for the clarification. Each person who reviewed my poem, had a somewhat different perspective on what it meant to them. Your reflection on the new year makes me think about the new year, as well, and what I hope to accomplish during it. Thank you for your thought-provoking idea. Best of luck for the new year.
Take care, Jesse
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You are welcome, Jesse. I think that is the beauty of poetry; it can mean different things to different people. Thanks for the New Year wishes!
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Yes, Pam, I agree. And, you're welcome.
Jesse
Comment from Bucketlist
Strive to belong to what? We are all struggling to belong to somewhere. You ARE unique and do belong. Yet also to the group FEELING that you don't belong as your childhood family rejected and abused. They branded your mind as not belonging. The smile is looking closer to a relaxed self accepting Jesse, not quite there yet! Don't strive, you already belong
Hugs,Trisha
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
Strive to belong to what? We are all struggling to belong to somewhere. You ARE unique and do belong. Yet also to the group FEELING that you don't belong as your childhood family rejected and abused. They branded your mind as not belonging. The smile is looking closer to a relaxed self accepting Jesse, not quite there yet! Don't strive, you already belong
Hugs,Trisha
Comment Written 30-Dec-2019
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2019
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Thank you, Trisha, for your encouraging review. Ah, if it were that easy...to just 'believe' that I belong. It's not only my family of origin. It is the place where I live currently. It is the neighborhood store. I live in a very oppressive environment that I am unable, at this time, to leave to a place where I feel I belong. Small towns can have small minds. I feel as though I belong on Fan Story. It is my outlet for friendship and belonging, as well as to hone my skills as a poet. Thank you for your honest concern and for caring. Have a great new year.
Take care, Jesse