Reviews from

Better To Not Go Out and Play

Refugees struggle to find a home. The children suffer.

34 total reviews 
Comment from Bill Schott
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This free verse Better to Not Go Out and Play, shows the readers a slight idea of what the refugees from one place another have as lives. No roots, and no possessions beyond what one can carry.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 20-Dec-2024
    Bill,
    Thanks for your review. Yes, the refugees have nothing except maybe some hope that the next day will give them a place to stay.
    Take care and have a wonderful day.
    Regards
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Pox on all mean people, and upon those who determine to war on a whim, or with scant respect for humanity. May evildoers be visited with the pain and suffering they cause.
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 20-Dec-2024
    Wayne,
    Thanks for your review and strong comments. Take care and have a wonderful day.
    Regards
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from Cecilia A Heiskary
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Barry,

This is a eye opening poem. It sure makes one thankful for what they have. The poor refugees and their children have nothing, but pain and horrible memories. This is a great poem and is well organized.

Well done

Cecilia

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
    Cecilia,
    Thanks for your review. Glad you enjoyed the read. A tragic topic but one we should not ignore. Take care and keep writing.
    Regards
    Barry
reply by Cecilia A Heiskary on 19-Dec-2024
    You are welcome my friend. I just posted a poem about growing old.
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
    I will seek it out during the day. Take care.
reply by Cecilia A Heiskary on 19-Dec-2024
    You do the same my friend
Comment from RodG
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Your poem is very moving and timely! You have described a family of refugees who have lost everything plus two family members. Your refrain is especially poignant as we wish the narrator, still a child, could go out and play. Rod

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
    Rod,
    Thanks for your kind review. The topic is tragic but one that cannot be ignored. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year period.
    Regards
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from Brenda Strauser
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a heartbreaking poem. War is terrible. Our world is so crazy. The innocent always suffer. Your poem is such truth. Well written.

 Comment Written 18-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    Thanks for your review, Brenda. A tragic topic but it is one we should not sweep under the carpet. Despite the gloom that hangs over the world in general, I hope you and your family have a lovely Holiday season.
    Cheers
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from nomi338
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Those who wage war for selfish gain or in mistaken loyalty to a false god who fosters hatred for enemies in violation of all the laws that the true God of love encourages, these very ones will pay a price far too steep for them to ever pay back.

 Comment Written 18-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    How true your words are and thanks for the review. A tragic topic but one we have to talk about. Let us hope 2025 brings some respite for refugees all over the world. Take care.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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We have had a lot of refugees from Ukraine in Britain and some of them are in my Grandchildren's class at school. They often don't speak English and their world has been turned upside down. The authorities have housed these people and helped them to integrate and find jobs. Your empathic poem is warm and poignant Barry, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 18-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    Dolly, thanks for your kind review. Yes, there are many governments that are doing the best they can to house and integrate refugees within their communities. Still many more to go. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas with family.
    Cheers
    Barry Penfold.
reply by Dolly'sPoems on 18-Dec-2024
    You enjoy your Christmas too Barry, best wishes to you and your family x x x
reply by Dolly'sPoems on 18-Dec-2024
    You enjoy your Christmas too Barry, best wishes to you and your family x x x
Comment from Wendy G
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A very moving and poignant poem, and I wish all people could see that refugees are not refugees by choice. They, like all of us, simply want to be safe and give their children the essentials - including grass beneath their feet, and the freedom to play outside. Very well done.
Wendy

 Comment Written 18-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    Wendy,
    Thanks for the six-star review. Glad you enjoyed the read on what is a tragic topic. Yes, all they want are the simple but meaningful things.
    Take care and have a wonderful day and Christmas period.
    Cheers
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from ESOSTINE
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A very beautifully written piece, here, my friend Barry. Your caring thoughts about the less privileged cry out loudly in this poem. In the spirit of Christmas you have actually used this poem to call for love and charity to those in need, and hopefully, we shall all go out and play together with cheers. Well done.

 Comment Written 18-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    Thanks so much for your review. Yes, one day we can all come out to play. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year period.
    Cheers
    Barry Penfold.
Comment from DonandVicki
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This reminds me of what the children in Gaza must be going through. A very gripping poem that gives the reader a feeling of helplessness for the children in peril.

 Comment Written 17-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
    Thanks for your review. I believe it does reflect a lot of what the children in Gaza are going through. Let's hope there is much respite in 2025. Take care.
    Regards
    Barry Penfold.