Reviews from

Russian Coryphees

At the ballet ...

18 total reviews 
Comment from Shanbreen
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This a beautifully written free-verse poem. The language used is masterful and it rolls well off the tongue. I also liked the way you presented the poem, making the yes move with the unique way of your writing.

Thank you for the notes. It helped me understand what you have written.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2024
    Wow, thank you! I appreciate your high rating and comments! 😊
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
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Well, I immediately thought you were referring to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and I think you are. It all become so poignant after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Good luck in the contest. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2024
    Thank you Ulla! I'm glad you liked it!
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Excellent
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Hi, Patrick !

I liked your poem and also the picture that accompanied it (like what I did there, Patrick, with the musical reference...) very much, but I have to say that I didn't feel the litany of vocabulary words afterward was necessary. I'm seeing that more and more in members' posts these days, and it baffles me. We're writers here - people who read and know things or, if they don't know them, we research and investigate them on our own. This feels like a dumbing down to me - like you don't think we're smart enough to understand your beautiful poetry. Please don't sell yourself short like that. What you've written is perfect, and we're an audience who can recognize that immediately. No explanations are necessary. Your writing prowess speaks vividly for itself without any further explanations needed. xoxox

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2024
    Thank you Rachelle! I appreciate your comments and suggestions. 😊
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Excellent
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Beautifully descriptive poem. Very fluid like the movements of a ballerina. This is an excellent entry for the Free Verse poem writing prompt. good luck.

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 28-Sep-2024
    Thank you Marilyn!
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Excellent
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A beautiful and melodic free verse for the contest here -- your words of reflection paint the view from the balcony seat to enjoy the entire presentation without focus on the singular -- thank you so much for sharing and best of luck in the contest!

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2024
    Thank you so much for this great review! I'm so happy you liked the poem!
Comment from Julie Helms
Excellent
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I love your poem. It reads like a twirling ballerina! I like all the 'ethnic'? language as it gives it a strong flavor (and I like that you explained it in your author notes). This is a beautiful poem for the free-verse contest. I think you must have been a Prima ballerina in a previous life.
:-D
Julie

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2024
    The prompt for this so many years ago was: 1) Free verse 2) the performing arts 3) allusion. The allusion I satisfied by all the references to Russian landmarks and personages. Plus Tchaikovsky wrote the best ballets the world has ever heard and seen. And he was Russian. Thank you Julie!
Comment from Michael Ludwinder
Excellent
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What an wonderful poem! Your poem shares the strength of the dancers beautifully. I especially enjoyed the lines "Cossack-maiden eyes" and "arms like the turgid Volga." It's a wonderful poem that shares the art of dance, and I felt completely transported into the scene. Fantastic work!

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 Comment Written 25-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2024
    Thank you, Michael! I'm glad you liked it!
Comment from Carol Clark2
Excellent
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Lovely, specific descriptions of the dancers' movements. You're obviously a dancer, to know all these terms. Thanks for the definitions you included. I learned a few things by reading this. Best wishes in the contest. Carol

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 Comment Written 25-Sep-2024


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2024
    Thank you, Carol!