Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante

Excellent

Beautiful poem about a spectacular flower! I remember when my mother had a place down in Florida for about ten years, that was when I discovered hibiscus flowers. I never noticed that the blossoms only lasted for a day -- do only certain types of hibiscus do that? They are certainly lovely. Are they known to represent peace? I hadn't heard that before either. This is all new to me!
I've seen them in pink, yellow and red.

 Comment Written 15-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2021

Apparently, the original varieties only last a day, but hybrids have been developed which can last up to three days. But ours is so prolific, it's never short of beautiful blossoms during flowering season.

To my knowledge, they don't represent peace. I think white poppies are the "official" flower for that. I was just attempting to draw a parallel - the beautiful, but transient, nature of the hibiscus bloom, and the fact that peace has similar properties.

Thanks for the lovely review :)

Craig

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

It is a lovely flower, the hibiscus and I like how you compare their short blooming time to peace and enjoy it while you can. Looking out of the window onto a garden always brings a smile.
Nicely done with your 5-7-5 Craig
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021

It certainly does, Valda, Thanks very much, Craig

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Craig,
I like the well illustrated poem. It almost seems you wrote the poem from the picture.
I like the trumpet metaphor for the shape and the personification and hope inspired in the final line
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthyy
Joan

 Comment Written 12-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

I guess I did, Joan. I didn't really think about it, and my usual way is to write a poem and look for a suitable picture later. In this case, I just wanted to try and write something nice about the beautiful flowers, and something that wasn't doom and gloom.

Thanks for the lovely comments,

Craig

reply by dragonpoet on 12-Feb-2021

You're welcome. You did a good job.
Joan

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Congrats on your prize for this stunning poem--vivid imagery--the hibiscus kind of looks trumpet-shaped! Clever alliteration in HH. Nice work. Cheers. LIZ

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 11-Feb-2021

Thanks very much for the kind comments, Liz. Greatly appreciated -- Craig

Comment from AnnaLinda

Excellent

Hi CD,

I'd like to congratulate you on the recognition of your 5-7-5 contest entry. Your form is great as well as the imagery, presentation and positive message heralded by the hibiscus trumpet. I often think of the daffodil as that trumpet...now here in Florida where the hibiscus grows year round...I'll think of your "harbinger of peace"

Thanks!

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 10-Feb-2021

Thanks for the kind words, AnnaLinda. I think what makes a hibiscus more trumpet-like in my mind is it doesn't have the two layers, or circles, of petals, like the daffodil. However, we also have daffodils and some other pink coloured bulbs which shoot up every year, I have no idea what they are called, but they are very pretty.

reply by AnnaLinda on 10-Feb-2021

Very welcome, sir.
I enjoyed it.

Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig

I read through this 5-7-5,

Really like the use of harbinger. The flowers are bold, so a bold word like trumpeting seems fitting. In shape and when used with harbinger, as it amplifies a sense of arrival.

I also like the notion of moments of peace being fleeting and precious, such that ... a flower that might not last long that inspires the sense of it is poetic.

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 07-Feb-2021

Thanks once again for the great comments, Turtle. I really appreciate your ability to get to what a piece is trying to convey. Cheers, Craig

Comment from leomen

Exceptional

Yes, as it is expressed just in the write words and intention, every line flows with grace..........................................................

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2021

Thank you for the kind comments and wonderful rating. Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written 5-7-5 poem about the Hibiscus flower that looks like a trumpet announcing every new dawn and hope to bring peace whoever is close by.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Feb-2021

Thank you, Sandra. I appreciate the support very much. Cheers, Craig

Comment from MissMerri

Excellent

What a beautiful poem, Craig. One of the things I love about Jesus is how He gives us such amazing peace even in the midst of chaos. I often wonder how people manage without Him. Of course, gazing at nature's beautiful images such as your Hibiscus flowers, is a great start toward shutting out the ugliness of the human world. I like the use of "harbinger" in the last line. It seems such a good balance to the first word. I also thought "trumpeting" was such a clever word choice considering the shape of the flower looks like the horn of a trumpet. You've done a great job with this 5-7-5 and I hope it ends up among the winners in the contest. Thanks for sharing this lovely poem. I enjoyed it. MM

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 03-Feb-2021

Thanks for the lovely comments and the good luck wishes, Adonna. It's always a pleasure to see your name on the reviewers' list :)

Cheers,
Craig

P.S. We do just fine ;-)

reply by MissMerri on 04-Feb-2021

I know you do... but I still wonder how. Because I could not, I am pretty sure.

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2021

I think you could. There's a quote that just popped up on my FB feed which is somewhat relevant, I think: "One of the hardest things in life is letting go of what you once thought real." Hard, yes, but rewarding.

reply by MissMerri on 05-Feb-2021

Actually, I don't think I'm holding on tight to any of my beliefs. I ask God all the time to show me what is true and what is false, because I literally love truth. If I were clinging to something that was false, I'd definitely want to know, and let it go immediately. Thank you for caring, kind sir. I know you do, and that is sincerely appreciated. MM

Comment from zanya

Excellent

It's such an exquisite flower and celebrated here for its beauty and grace and potential contribution to a sentiment of peace and harmony -thanks for sharing

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 03-Feb-2021

Thank you for the kind comments. Craig