Comment from DonandVicki

Excellent

I love that name "Skyland" I live in the mountains of Southern California and I cannot imagine living any where else but the mountains. You poem brings out those feelings very nicely.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the excellent review and for your interesting perspective on the poem. Someday you will have to come east and see 'our' mountains. I have always wanted to go cross country by train. Maybe someday when the epidemic is finally over, I'll be able to do it. estory

Comment from Joanne Gill-Maddick

Excellent

Such a beautifully written poem. Lovely words. Up here above the wrinkled world of man made patches and roads like seams unraveling across a patchwork quilt light rises over shadow. Nicely done. ð???

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for all the encouraging remarks and your support of my poem. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I try to come up with colorful, vivid imagery in my language. estory

Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.

Excellent

You have done a masterful job with this series on the Appalachian mountains. I can see how you have taken the ode toward the wide expanse of the bright blue sky. Wonderful!

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the excellent review and your wonderful words of support for my poem. I am glad you enjoyed the trip into the mountains. They always seem to raise my spirits when the lowlands are flat...estory

Comment from amada

Excellent

"in its long, arduous climb up to heaven...As Always, you write very beautiful nature description, story. Your lines have the power to carry this reader along. Each post is a gift to the senses.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 04-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the wonderful words of support. Its always great to hear things like 'Each post is a gift to the senses.' That's what I try to accomplish in creating these poetic images, make the scene come alive for the reader, create that sense of spiritual movement I am experiencing myself. estory

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

This is a lovely poem and a fitting climax to your tribute to the Appalachians. The name Skyland does seem perfect - very lyrical. I love your vivid imagery of the wrinkled world of man-made patches, with people scurrying around below.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the five star review and your wonderful comments supporting the poem. Glad it lifted you up a bit. But there are two more parts yet to come: Autumn Song, and Mountain Chapel. estory

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Excellent

I like many expressions in this poem:
Mountain gardens
Wrinkled world
Peace and bliss (internal rhyming)

I don' think the time spent in mountains are wasted. I never think the time spend walking in nature is a waste. I often spent two to four hours hiking in woods during weekends and vacation. I have hiked in Virginia in Shenandoah National Park.

Keep writing and you have made a great progress.

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks for the excellent review and your perspective on the poem. I think you misunderstood that line; I may have to take a look at it and make it more clear. I was trying to get across the sense that our endeavors in the man made world is a waste of time. Nature is the remedy for it, the paradise that is the elixir. estory

reply by Jasmine Girl on 03-Dec-2020

Yes. I totally agree. I'm a new poet so I don't always understand the deep meaning in it. Sorry about it.

Comment from Robert Zimmerman

Excellent

Hello estory.

I like the theme of your poem because I grew up in Appalachia. Skyline drive is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

There is a town in North Carolina called Skyland. It is in the blue ridge chain near Asheville.

This is well done and to me expresses long held sentiments.

Robert

 Comment Written 03-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the excellent review and your perspective and comments supporting the poem. Glad you enjoyed it. estory

reply by Robert Zimmerman on 03-Dec-2020

You're welcome

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

The mountains can lift you above the problems of the world
Appalachian Elegy, pt. 4
by estory

Hello, my friend,

I like your elegy about Skyland look out and recreational stop. It sounds like a lovely place that I would like to visit. It's fun to look over the valleys from above. It makes one feel small in relation with God's beautiful creations.

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for your excellent review and your wonderful comments supporting the poem. I am glad you had that elevated moment that I was trying to get across. I did a hike this fall on Hanging Rock, north of Greensboro, to the 2,000 foot high ledge with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge. Very dramatic. Also some great waterfalls around there. The Blue Ridge is a treasure trove. estory

Comment from Mrs. KT

Excellent

Hello Estory!
Such beautiful images. I, too, have longed to drive the Skyline Drive in Virginia. I did with my parents as a child, but that was a lifetime ago.
You have achieved your goal of moving from "shadow to light" and "all of its possibilities."
Kudos.

Thank you!
diane

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the excellent review and your wonderful comments supporting the poem. I drove the Skyline drive in 1987, 1992 and 2003. In 1987 I did the whole ride from Front Royal to Cherokee, in North Carolina, 537 miles. Took three days. But spectacular and worth it. estory

Comment from LisaMay

Excellent

You write so well about nature! I, too, love being on mountains - the Appalachians area sounds wonderful; it's a treat to see it through your eyes with your way of evocative description. I enjoyed phrases such as: "above the wrinkled world of man made patches and roads like seams unravelling across a patch work quilt" and "mountain gardens in between rock and cloud".

 Comment Written 02-Dec-2020

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reply by the author on 03-Dec-2020

Thanks so much for the excellent review and it's always great to hear what specific lines worked well. I try to come up with vivid, colorful images in my writing and I am glad those worked to place you so well in this scene and the sense of an uplifting landscape. estory