Comment from lindafisher

Excellent

This is such an entertaining piece, it made me smile. Your photograph is lovely and your poem goes so well with it. I can imagine this scenario every winter. It is well written and the rhyme flows well without effort. x

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much Linda for reviewing this poem and the kind words. We're currently enduring a days long wind storm with hurricane force winds and wind chills around thirty below. I haven't seen any moose since before the storm, so I guess they're all hunkered down in the deep woods.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Tina Crute

Excellent

You meant MOOSE-ual respect right? Sorry for the cheese. You inspired it!
This poem bounced along like all good poems do that have great rhyme and meter. I can see your affection for God's creatures as you allow them to damage your trees while bemoaning the fact. The last stanza is a key ingredient for me. It wraps up the poem nicely with a summary and a sort of "moral to the story." A happy ending and a feeling of a balance between nature and us.
Well done!
Tina

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for the kind review and comments Tina. I do worry about the wild animals in the winter here. I know that they are made to survive the harsh elements, but these past few days have been brutal weather-wise. I hope they're finding food and staying warm.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by Tina Crute on 05-Jan-2022

Funny ...I worry about the dogs in my neighbor's backyard and I worry about our pets being out too long in the cold but I never thought about wild animals.
Interesting. How DO they stay warm? I need to investigate!
Tina

Comment from Robert Zimmerman

Excellent

Hello Tom.

This is an amusing and entertaining poem about the moose on the loose. We don't see many of those in North Carolina, but I have friends that have run into them face to face and I'm told they are very impressive creatures, skinny legs and all.

I enjoyed your irregular meter poem and wish you the best luck in the contest.

Robert

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much Robert for the fine review and comments. I haven't had the issue of running into them face-to-face. They are often said to be more dangerous than a bear. The bulls are cantankerous and the cows will protect their calves, even when they are almost full grown. I heard of one bull stomping a man to death up at the college campus. The guy was legally blind and some kids had been harassing the moose, and the unfortunate happened. No moose there, but snakes I'm sure. Watch where you walk buddy.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by Robert Zimmerman on 05-Jan-2022

You're welcome, Tom.

Comment from Boogienights

Excellent

This is a terrific entry for the contest and a great picture. I live in Minnesota and the first moose I saw up close left me in awe. They are really amazing creatures. Thanks for sharing and best if luck in the contest. :)

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for the kind review and comments. Several weeks ago a big bull walked about a foot away from our front window. They are indeed impressive. I'd prefer not to run into one in the woods.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Moose on the Loose
by T B Botts

Great poem about intrusive moose. It's really funny. The rhymes do not seem forced. Your poem flows well. It draws on emotions and it presents strong images.

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for reviewing and commenting Gypsy. I appreciate your input.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Mary Shifman

Excellent

I enjoyed this poem as well as the premise that we must share what we have, even with the wild beasts. You did a great job with rhyme and imagery, too. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for the kind review and comments Mary. I do worry about the wildlife in the winter. We are presently experiencing a severe wind storm with well below zero wind chills, so hopefully they've found shelter and food.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by Mary Shifman on 06-Jan-2022

You're so right. I too, worry about them when we have extended periods of cold and/or deep snow. I hope the can find enough food and shelter to stay alive.

Comment from Mrs. KT

Exceptional

Hah, Tom!
Your poem depicts moose so well!
I've had the opportunity to see them in Colorado on occasion and they appear to be non-plussed about virtually anything!
I cannot attest to their stupidity, as I am usually in awe when I have an encounter. Sad that so many are killed...
A fine lyrical offering!

Thank you for sharing!
diane

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Oh my word Diane, thanks so much for the generous review and comments. I've only been in Southcentral for a little over a year, so we're still getting used to seeing the moose. There are some on the mainland in Southeast, but we seldom saw them on Chichagof Island where I lived. Lots of brown bears, but few moose. They are impressive in their size, but their IQ leaves a bit to be desired.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

Comment from Susan Newell

Excellent

Tom,

This is just delightful. I love the humor mixed in with the wildlife lesson. I'm in a small town in southwestern NH, less than a mile from the center of town, but rural. We used to stack some of our wood in front of the house and the top would be about level with the top of the bottom window pane, which is relatively high because we have a substantial foundation. Anyway, one day I saw a blur above the wood and my first thought was that someone's horse had gotten out, quickly adjusted by the thought, "Horses don't have humps!" I got up and looked to see a moose grazing in my perennial garden. About then, our dog, a Norwegian elkhound, with thousands of years of breeding to hunt moose, then sleeping under the window, got a whiff and let out a bellow and bolted out his door into the backyard. The moose took off, trotting past the fenced yard, through the field and into the woods. The end.

Sue

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2022

Wow Susan, that is quite the story. I should look up Norwegian Elkhounds on the internet now that we have our power back on. They must chase the moose around to the hunters. One moose has so much meat on it, that you could feed a family of four for a year I believe and still have some left over. They are massive indeed. Thanks so much for sharing.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

reply by Susan Newell on 05-Jan-2022

Tom,

In Norway, they are trained to work in packs. They chase down the moose and hold it until the hunter arrives. They look like compacted huskies with tightly curled tails, and have no doggie odor. They do have an undercoat that shed's in clumps like cotton balls, but also releases a little year round. They love the snow. We had a mother and son for a while. He'd "plow" a path, then turn around and tramp backwards, then forwards again to break trail for his mother. Fun to watch. We had one that would go out in a snow storm, curl up and let the snow cover her. We have a dog door, so she could have come in at any time. We loved them all. All had distinct personalities. They're all very independent.

Sue

Comment from Janice Canerdy

Excellent

Though I realize the situation is frustrating and makes you feel helpless, I couldn't help laughing at "big tub of lard" and "great hairy beast"! This is very skillfully-written and descriptive.

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Thank you so much for the kind review and comments Janice. I found out long ago that I can take an unpleasant situation and usually find some humor in it. It makes the most frustrating trial somehow almost palatable. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I can remember watching a documentary on North America and I think it was set in Alaska, on the same subject you are describing my friend Tom. The moose in that doco was focusing on the moose venturing into town and devouring whatever they could sink their teeth into. Beautifully written my friend, you are a fine writer. Well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Thanks so much Roy. You honor me with your kind words. It's fun to see the wildlife out and about. It would be a much more sterile environment if they weren't around to fascinate and entertain.
Have a blessed day my friend.
Tom

reply by royowen on 01-Jan-2022

It sounds absolutely marvellous Tom