Reviews from

Christine's Poems

Viewing comments for Chapter 46 "The Day When Christmas Burned"
Poems /stories on Fanstory

41 total reviews 
Comment from Jared_L
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You immediately caught my attention. I have not even started reading your work yet and you have me hooked. Between the picture and your narrative I am salivating with anticipation. Yet I like to give feedback at each step of the review process and so I wait.

I was a firefighter for over 17 years and so this topic is dear to me. In addition I am a Huge fan of "The Man From Snowy River." Here goes....

I liked the way that you wrapped tragedy and loss into the resilience of the human spirit. The style is definitely unique as you described. It is one that I would love to hear the author speak with the emotion and cadence felt from within.

I have not caught the meter of it. From reading your writing I know it is there and that it is beautiful hence the comment about you reading it.

Your word usage in the following line is an example of one of the things I really liked about this work. "It would release its fury fast wreak havoc was its oath, " It is creative and thought provoking creating an undeniable picture in my mind. The punctuation you used I feel adds to the effect.

I really liked this work. It is unique, thought provoking and shines light on the resilience of a people. Thank-you for sharing it with me... I am still a fan!

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi Jared I am so pleased you really liked my work and thanks for highlighting the line that had an impact. I try to be creative and thoughts just pop into my head and I am pleased when they work (smile) Banjo is a fabulous poet and I have written several poems based on his rhythm and meter ( I may post them soon) so sometimes it is difficult to pick up but I try to do him justice (and being and being a famous Australian ballad. my father could recite it off by heart) Also being a fire fighter you can understand my thread and although this is now under control we are on high alert as tomorrow nigh NYE is going to be another hot windy 39 degree night/day so I pray we don't have a repeat fire. The emergency workers are already giving out warning to evacuate high risk areas. ( My son has just joined the FB in Kaniva (Victoria) and loves it, not the fires but the processes etc)
    I am so pleased you are "still a Fan" and I hope you are not disappointed in my other work some are interesting as I have tried many different styles from being here on FS (it is a little bit addictive LOL)
    So on that note many thanks again and I look forward to catching you again So have a Very happy and Safe New Year, Cheers big time Christine
reply by Jared_L on 30-Dec-2015
    First, my thoughts are with you as you continue to endure the fires and weather conditions there.

    I agree, this site can be addictive. I work full-time and am a full-time college student so I don't get as much time here as I would like.

    As for your writing... I am looking forward to seeing those additional pieces that you spoke of. I get notices when you post new work (that's how I found this one...) so I will be watching... till then, have a Happy and SAFE New Year!
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi Jared thanks for your reply and you sound like a busy person but always make some time for yourself . keep an eye out I will pop up to say Hi Have a great NYE Cheers C
Comment from flylikeaneagle
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Chrissy: not one live was taken - what a miracle! I like your rhymes, the beat and the story! So glad that you can tell the story and remember the miracle of lives saved. The fire went out of hand but you state the firefighters were prepared. Have a joy filled New Year with your family. flylikeanegle

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi flylikeaneagle. Wow thank you so much for you fabulous review and 6 stars I am so pleased this moved you and your comments are lovely. I spent a full day composing and trying to get the beat and syllables right so your rating is welcomed with much appreciation. We are on high alert again for the New Year as it is going to be another hot windy night so all preparation are being put in place to avoid another fire however lightning is something one can't control. I too wish you and your family a Very Safe and Happy new Year so a big Cheers from me Christine
Comment from Gert sherwood
Excellent
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Hello Chrissy710
How I wish I had a six stars to give you.
Your very disturbing poem about the brush fire is well written and very good meter with excellent view of this terrible fire.

Gert


 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi Gert just having you lovely review is enough so I thank you for reading my poem. I did get quite emotional when reading this to my family as it brought home the tragedy when read aloud. Again the coast is on high fire alert as it is said to be another very hot night/day tomorrow NYE so fingers crossed no more fires are reported. I am glad you like this meter as I love to do a 'Banjo' style poem occasionally so on that note Have a Very Happy and Safe New Year and Cheers for all your support to me Christine
reply by Gert sherwood on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi Chrissy
    You are so welcome

    Gert
Comment from AnnaLinda
Excellent
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Chrissy710,

I appreciate you sharing this fiery scene with us up close and personal.
It must have been something horrible to see your country in flames on
Christmas eve no less.

I think you have fantastic imagery, personification and nice rhymes as
well in this story in a poem. Thank God no people were lost, although
as you mentioned homes, personal items and wildlife were lost as well
as trees and bush...It will take time to recover.

I am not familiar with Banjo Patteson or his poem, "'The Man From Snowy River"
but your poem has a nice flow. Since I have not been watching the news as of
late, I did not hear about it, so I thank you for sharing this.

Below are a couple of my favorite lines or ones that really stood out to me:

"The fire licked and danced about, hot breath would not be quenched"

"The heat was more than man could stand, and it forced them to retreat"

* I believe you have the incorrect use of "too" below:

"The children's toys all black and scorched lie strewn upon the earth
No houses left for Santa to come too" < *to

Linda

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi Linda I thank you sincerely for you great review and rating for my 'Banjo" style poem about this horrible fire and I appreciate your highlighting the lines you found outstanding (Smiling) Yes once again I have to many tooo's but appreciate you picking this up and have corrected this so thanks for that help. New years Eve 9tomorrow night is predicted to be another very similar to Christmas Eve/day so lets hope no fires break out again. I think the poor folk along the coast deserve a break. But I do wish you and your a very Happy New Year and thanks again for you support Cheers Christine
reply by AnnaLinda on 30-Dec-2015
    Thank you so much and yes, no fires over there please:)!!
Comment from foxangie123
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have watched this on television and for you to captivate this topic is stunning. This will be enjoyed for decades because you have taken a historical event and done an amazing job placing it in lines of poetry. I don't have six stars or you'd have them friend. Keep promoting this. I bet it gets picked up by outside publishing firms.

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    Hi foxangie123 I do so appreciate you wonderful comments for my poem about this terrible fire and what a bonus to actually have it published but I just glad to post on FS and have enjoyed everyone's support so I do Thank you so much for you encouraging review. Again we face the threat of another outbreak tomorrow nigh NYE as conditions are going to be the same hot dry and windy 39 degree so I hope I am not writing another poem next week. But I do wish you and your family a very Happy New Year and stay safe Cheers Christine
reply by foxangie123 on 30-Dec-2015
    You as well. I'm praying for each of you. You are exceedingly talented...
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2015
    With special thanks for your thoughts and praises They mean a lot C
reply by foxangie123 on 30-Dec-2015
    😀
Comment from c_lucas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An uncontrolled fire can cause a lot of problems. Nature has its own way of dealing with rebirth. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words, making for a very good read.

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2015
    Thank you c lucas for reading and reviewing my poem about the Christmas fire here it was an awful event as we were having a lovely celebration and these people lost everything but they will rebuild and yes nature will rebirth too Cheers for your time Christine😀
Comment from crzypnter
Excellent
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Hi CHRISSY710,
So often on Christmas we hear about the lights and decorations. But nature has no Holiday and hope all of the families are well. I am quite sure that over there as well as here those fires know no boundaries. A tragic event for sure. Thanks for sharing and bringing this to light. May you and your family have a safe and happy New Year.
God bless always
August

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2015
    Hi crzypnter Thanks for reading my poem and ues we have many fires here and try to be mindful of the weather conditions we arecin forca hot dry Summer so I am sure more will start somewhere. And may you and your family have a bright and Happy New Year with many Cheers Christine😃
Comment from artisart4u
Excellent
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This was a Christmas to remember, horrifying but on the happy side
the last two lines about rebuilding lifts one's spirit.

This is a good gift, the people knowing someone cares enough to write about their causality. Years of growth- trees and families and hope gone in no time at all.

Your poem is one of remembrance over promotion.

Good luck.

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2015
    Thanks artisart4u I am pleased you stopped by to read and review my Poem about this awful fire and I felt compelled to acknowledge this with a poem so I am glad you saw this in this light also Many Thanks for you comments and good luck May you and your family have a Happy New Year too Cheers Christine😃
Comment from giraffmang
Excellent
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Hi there,

This is a well realised piece and a good commentary on the events which transpired. For me, though, I found the lack of any internal punctuation a little jarring. I know that in poetry it can be a convention to omit this, but prose writers would be vilified for it! lol

I find it makes the rhythm that much harder to unearth. This is a personal thing.

All the best
GMG

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2015
    Hi GMG Thanks for reading my poem and for your comments and I agree re the internal punctuation and I am usually very precise with this, however for this style based on Banjo Patteson,s meter this is the style so I wondered how it would be interpreted so I appreciate your feedback and may review this Cheers for a helpful review Christine 😃
Comment from Zue65
Excellent
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Many natural calamities did occur this Christmas season, fires, typhoon, hurricanes and perhaps other man-made ones we are not aware of. Natural disasters and otherwise will hit at any time when nature unleashes its wrath. But what's hateful are the man-made ones such as rape, murder, massacre, terrorism and beheading of innocent children. Thanks for sharing this excellent write. My sympathy to the victims and may everyone have a Happy New Year.

 Comment Written 29-Dec-2015


reply by the author on 29-Dec-2015
    Hi naussus1957 Yes There are lots of awful things that go on all the time whether they are man made of natural, and it's a pity we couldn't get it right most of the time and thanks for your sympathies to the victims of this Christmas Day tragedy and I really appreciate your comments and review Cheers Christine and Happy New Year to you 😃