Comment from Janet Foor

Excellent

Sometimes our critics cause us to be better than we would have been if not for their criticism. Sounds like this was a wise Cricket. ð???

Well done.
Blessings
Janet

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much.......Best Wishes to you and yours......Stu Harrell

Comment from nomi338

Excellent

Sometime the annoying face that the public most easily sees, hides a heart and soul that is completely different from the one that is not so easily seen. No one knows for sure why certain personalities hide behind a façade, but once the truth is revealed, people are usually completely surprised to find that they were totally fooled.

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks ......you are right.....complex is as complex does......Good Luck to you and Godspeed to you and yours..........Stu Harrell

reply by nomi338 on 19-May-2021

You are welcome. It has been my distinct pleasure to prove to be to all my doubters that I have never been who they thought I was.

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

So this is a well told rhyming story. It seems the "cricket" was using negative reinforcement to push the others to be better, according to himself. But he showed that he was able to take part in the most important part of life with his cohorts.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Good luck in the contest.
dragonpoet

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much.....a curious irony in Vietnam was that many of my troops actually questioned the War......but wanted to see it first hand because fellow Americans had to serve......Godspeed and Best Wishes......Stu Harrell

reply by dragonpoet on 20-May-2021

You are most kindly welcom, Stu.
Thanks for your service.
Joan

Comment from damommy

Excellent

This is a great entry for the contest. I wish you lots of luck there. It's interesting how Cricket spurred them on to be better. It could have gone either way with his heckling of them. It seems he meant well all along.

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much........Good luck and Godspeed to you and yours......Stu Harrell

Comment from papa55mike

Excellent

There are times that our biggest critics drive us to be better, but we don't see it at the time. What a wonderfully written poem.

Good luck in the contest!
Have a great day, and God bless.
mike

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Yo Brother......Thanks so very much......Godspeed to you and yours.....Stu Harrell

Comment from Boogienights

Excellent

An interesting poem about moving into adulthood, and the difficult things we might face. The strengths we develop when young will help us get through. Thank you for sharing this great contest entry, best of luck. :)

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much......Always enjoy your writing.....Godspeed to you and yours......Stu Harrell

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

We are not children for long and the reality of adult life, war and separation soon knocks the cockney child into touch and I enjoyed your story here, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 19-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much....time rolls on.....you are still my hero....Godspeed.....Stu Harrell

Comment from Senyai

Exceptional

Hi, Stuart
I found your poem an excellent, amusing, tongue-in-cheek humorous
work that clipped right off the tip of my tongue in a delightful rhyme and rhythm.

Then all fun aside, the last lines brought home the seriousness of life and how we can never really know how things turn out for people later. The frivolity of high school's forming years and life beyond is contrasted in perfect juxtaposition for the full effect.

Great profile credentials as well.

Best wishes,
Senyai

 Comment Written 18-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much......though a bit hard scrabble....these little verses have been fun to stitch together.....Godspeed and Best Wishes......Stu Harrell

reply by Senyai on 19-May-2021

Your are so welcome!

reply by Senyai on 19-May-2021

Your are so welcome!

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

That is a clever and interesting poem relating the story of Cricket. The twist indicates that he wasn't all negative. Well written and smooth flowing. Wishing you success in the contest.

 Comment Written 18-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks so very much......I had many family members who served in WWII.....my service in Vietnam was a small tribute to their memory.....Best Wishes to you and yours....Stu Harrell

Comment from Pj Dennison

Exceptional

Sounds like Cricket found his place of acceptance in his service to our country. He once sat on the sidelines but when he grew up he was right in the middle of the action in France in the war. He went from being that noisy annoying kid to being referred to as our Cricket. This poem tells a story of three individuals from childhood through adulthood in a flowing manner with rhythmic meter and balanced rhyme scheme. It's a wonderful story set in poetry. Exceptional work.

 Comment Written 18-May-2021

---

reply by the author on 19-May-2021

Thanks you so very much.....we all grow up sometime.....these are fun to stitch together...though not pure verse.....Best to you and yours.....Stu Harrell

reply by Pj Dennison on 19-May-2021

You are welcome.