To Seek Solace in October Skies
Their Legacies Live On...68 total reviews
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Such a touching write, Diane, delivered with a lovely cadence and beauty and, yes, strength in your word choice that I was inspired to read it through a second time -- a few of the stanzas, a third. You have done a wonderful job with your tribute here -- even for those who knew them not. I do hope you do a collage of photos of all mentioned here with this write in the center so that your family will have it as a piece of visual legacy to carry forward with them. Perhaps even include a version of your author notes to include more dates and such on the back for reference in future years when no one's there to interpret. Thank you for sharing such a special piece of yourself with all of us -- Please forgive the 'tardiness' of my response -- first week back always sucks away any 'spare time' I may have on a regular basis. :) Take care - Yvette :)
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Such a touching write, Diane, delivered with a lovely cadence and beauty and, yes, strength in your word choice that I was inspired to read it through a second time -- a few of the stanzas, a third. You have done a wonderful job with your tribute here -- even for those who knew them not. I do hope you do a collage of photos of all mentioned here with this write in the center so that your family will have it as a piece of visual legacy to carry forward with them. Perhaps even include a version of your author notes to include more dates and such on the back for reference in future years when no one's there to interpret. Thank you for sharing such a special piece of yourself with all of us -- Please forgive the 'tardiness' of my response -- first week back always sucks away any 'spare time' I may have on a regular basis. :) Take care - Yvette :)
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from Debbie Pope
This is such a worthy poem. What a lovely tribute to your uncle. The story in your notes is heartbreaking. Your narrative in verse is creative genius. My favorite line, by far, is that you search the skies "trying to make sense of the hearts of men."
Your poem preserves so much for future generations. For me, you have given new meaning to October skies. I will think of you and your uncle.
I have no six stars to award this deserving poem. Just know that I love it.
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This is such a worthy poem. What a lovely tribute to your uncle. The story in your notes is heartbreaking. Your narrative in verse is creative genius. My favorite line, by far, is that you search the skies "trying to make sense of the hearts of men."
Your poem preserves so much for future generations. For me, you have given new meaning to October skies. I will think of you and your uncle.
I have no six stars to award this deserving poem. Just know that I love it.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from Sally Law
I am just sick that I do not have a six for this outstanding work. You have really showcased you're fine ability as a poet with this one. You are a marvelous writer of poetry. A five does not feel sufficient. Please except my offering.
All my best to you and yours,
Sally
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I am just sick that I do not have a six for this outstanding work. You have really showcased you're fine ability as a poet with this one. You are a marvelous writer of poetry. A five does not feel sufficient. Please except my offering.
All my best to you and yours,
Sally
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from jenintorre
What a very sad and poignant story in a poem you have written. I see it is biographical. How hard it must have been for your family. An excellent entry for the competition. Good luck and Best wishes. Jen.
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What a very sad and poignant story in a poem you have written. I see it is biographical. How hard it must have been for your family. An excellent entry for the competition. Good luck and Best wishes. Jen.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from Heather Knight
What an extremely beautiful story of love and forgiveness. Wars are so terrible, so many lives are lost stupidly...
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely poem and notes.
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What an extremely beautiful story of love and forgiveness. Wars are so terrible, so many lives are lost stupidly...
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely poem and notes.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from Janet Foor
This is a beautifully written story in a poem. Excellent title for this sad and poignant piece and wise words from your uncle - to come from someone whose loss was so great.
Several of my uncles served in WWII and survived although they never wanted to talk about it. One uncle served and died in the Korean Conflict. A cousin was killed in Vietnam. He was 25 when he was shot down in a helicopter leaving a wife and twins. I remember my grandmother's and my mother's tearful discussions of their loss.
Very well done Diane, I wish I still had a six left as this is most worthy of that and more.
Blessings
Janet
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This is a beautifully written story in a poem. Excellent title for this sad and poignant piece and wise words from your uncle - to come from someone whose loss was so great.
Several of my uncles served in WWII and survived although they never wanted to talk about it. One uncle served and died in the Korean Conflict. A cousin was killed in Vietnam. He was 25 when he was shot down in a helicopter leaving a wife and twins. I remember my grandmother's and my mother's tearful discussions of their loss.
Very well done Diane, I wish I still had a six left as this is most worthy of that and more.
Blessings
Janet
Comment Written 11-Jan-2019
Comment from Bill Schott
This story poem, To Seek Solace in October Skies, tells a mournful true tale of a loss felt by a nation, as well as those, like your dad, so personally. Your framing of the poem creates a flow which takes the reader from beginning to end, riveted to the text.
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This story poem, To Seek Solace in October Skies, tells a mournful true tale of a loss felt by a nation, as well as those, like your dad, so personally. Your framing of the poem creates a flow which takes the reader from beginning to end, riveted to the text.
Comment Written 10-Jan-2019
Comment from kiwijenny
I wish I had a six for this . I grew up in New Zealand and Japanese captains came to our home. My dad always said how hard it was to remember the atrocities that happened during ww2 . God bless you and your precious family
God bless
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I wish I had a six for this . I grew up in New Zealand and Japanese captains came to our home. My dad always said how hard it was to remember the atrocities that happened during ww2 . God bless you and your precious family
God bless
Comment Written 10-Jan-2019
Comment from oorwull
A truly awesome depiction of a family's war-time experiences and grief. I felt the "after" explanation took something away from your writing. The only thing it told me was about the young Japanese woman. Once I had that knowledge, I went back and read and reread the poem in it's entirety . On a stand alone basis, without the "after" it stood majestic on it's own. The"after" to me was almost like a totally separate writing, which , by itself was good. I want to review only the poem , so I dug into my stars.
Oorwull
reply by the author on 10-Jan-2019
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A truly awesome depiction of a family's war-time experiences and grief. I felt the "after" explanation took something away from your writing. The only thing it told me was about the young Japanese woman. Once I had that knowledge, I went back and read and reread the poem in it's entirety . On a stand alone basis, without the "after" it stood majestic on it's own. The"after" to me was almost like a totally separate writing, which , by itself was good. I want to review only the poem , so I dug into my stars.
Oorwull
Comment Written 10-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 10-Jan-2019
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Hello Oorwull!
I am deeply honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
So very pleased that my words resonated with you.
I included the Author's Notes because a significant percentage of individuals today do not have knowledge of what happened when the Philippines were surrendered to the Japanese during WWII. Nor are they aware of the fatalities rendered by friendly fire - as in the case of my uncle - who may have survived his journey on the Hell ship, the Arisan Maru, had not an American submarine torpedoed it failing to realize it was carrying over 1700 POWs. So many people think only of Europe/Germany/Hitler/the Holocaust when reflecting on the atrocities of WWII.
Thank you again, friend...
diane
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You are very welcome. a well deserved "6"
Oorwull
Comment from Rickie1
I felt the emotion in the first few line. I grabbed me, if it didn't I would not have read a longer poem. I feel your sadness and remorse. It is clear who the young women is. I assume his daughter, I know you said she wasn', but a little better hint at that would have felt more warm cozy to me.
My father was a D Day survivor and died shortly after WW II. My older brother said he never wanted his sons to got to war.
Excellent work.
Rickie
reply by the author on 10-Jan-2019
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I felt the emotion in the first few line. I grabbed me, if it didn't I would not have read a longer poem. I feel your sadness and remorse. It is clear who the young women is. I assume his daughter, I know you said she wasn', but a little better hint at that would have felt more warm cozy to me.
My father was a D Day survivor and died shortly after WW II. My older brother said he never wanted his sons to got to war.
Excellent work.
Rickie
Comment Written 10-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 10-Jan-2019
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Hello Rickie!
I am honored by your exceptional rating and complimentary review.
No, the young woman is/was not my uncle' daughter. She was a Japanese exchange student my family hosted when I was a senior in high school because, as my father said, "It is time that we all heal."
Thank you again!
diane