Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

I feel sorry for your garden, Tom, but I can understand the hungry animals coming down to where the food is, we'd do the same if we were hungry. I really enjoyed your poem, it was such a fun way to tell us something that is really quite a serious problem for the animals. Well done, and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Hello Sandra,
Thanks so much for the kind review and comments. I actually wonder how the heck such large animals can survive the bitter winter environment here on basically just twigs, yet they not only survive, they thrive. God opens His hand and feeds all of his creatures with just what they need. I really don't begrudge them the willows or alders, but there are some ornamental trees that I have to spray and pray they leave alone. They destroyed several Mountain Ash trees that my daughter had. Back in Southeast Alaska where I used to live, the brown bears would devastate any fruit trees that they could access, and they used to go along a row of carrots and dig up the entire row and eat them. The deer fancied the sweet peas. At times, even fences didn't work. Oh well.
Have a blessed day.

Tom

reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 01-Jan-2022

I know I shouldn't, but you did make me smile! As you say, God looks after all his creatures. xx

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Ahh, Sandra, if I made you smile by something I've written, then you've made my day.
Blessings
Tom

Comment from Sanku

Excellent

Wild animals coming out into human settlements are increasing. Climate change and destruction of their habitats .In this case it is the extreme winter...
it is a frustrating when they eat our plants we have painstakingly grown. But then they too are hungry....

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Hello Sanku,
Thanks so much for the review and comments. Here in Alaska there is vast amounts of wilderness for them to wander about in, but it's easier for them to get around on paved streets and railroads, which of course makes them subject to a bad encounter with mankind. I agree, they are hungry, and I'm always tempted to leave something for them, but that causes even worse interactions, so it's best to let them do what they do.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Gee

Excellent

Something new for me.
I live in Florida, not many moose here...lol
Though we do have gators, that can be just as annoying.
Sorry to hear about your plants.
Nice poem I hope to see more of your work in the upcoming year.

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Hello Eugene,
Thanks so much for your review and comments. My brother lives in Sarasota as did my parents when they were alive. I spent about a year and a half in Key West when I was in the navy. I drove up to the Everglades once so I could fish in fresh water and was chased quite a ways by a big gator that I was fishing beside. His right eye was missing, but when he heard a bass that I had caught splashing, he turned in an instant and tried to get it. They run SOOO fast, but I was faster and managed to keep my bass.
Have a blessed day.

Tom

Comment from Melodie Michelle

Excellent

Excellent poem indeed my friend and the words flow nicely together throughout the piece and the imagery was perfect and brought everything together!

Thank you for sharing this well written and well thought out piece and may God bless you and your family during this New Year;-)

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2022

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for your kind review Melodie, and the comments. I pray that God will bless you and your family during this new year as well.

Blessings
Tom

reply by Melodie Michelle on 01-Jan-2022

;-)

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Delightfully witty and wry--a whimsical depiction of moose on the loose! Vivid imagery cleverly phrased in fine rhyme. This may well be a winner. Cheers. LIZ

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for the encouraging review and comments Liz. I appreciate what you've got to say.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from harmony13

Excellent

The author's words are engaging, interesting, made me smile, and
are creative. Thank you for the author's notes - it always great to
know the history! I liked the last stanza of this poem. It is so
nature based. The artwork is awesome n compliments these words.
Happy New Year!....harmony13

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Thanks so much for the kind review and comments Harmony. The picture was taken out my front window. There was another moose behind this one out in the street. They pass through the neighborhood munching on alders and willows and leaving their nuggets behind. Some people actually collect them and shellac them and sell to the tourists in the summer. Whatever works. I guess there's a market for anything.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from Anne Johnston

Excellent

Great picture and well-written poem to illustrate. Good rhyming and nice description of the moose. They are an interesting animal, nice to look at but very dangerous on the roads.

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Hello Anne,
Thanks so much for the kind review and comments. You're so right- they're fun to see from inside the home, but you never know what they will do when they're close to the road. About a month ago they stopped traffic on a main road while one crossed and the other couldn't make up it's mind. Finally it crossed too. I was just glad no one got impatient and tried to make a run for it.

Have a blessed day.

Tom

reply by Anne Johnston on 02-Jan-2022

You are welcome.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Such an insight into life in Alaska! We don't have moose in Australia except for in zoos. Our equivalent would be kangaroos, possums and wallabies. Very well written, smooth and unforced effective rhyme, and flowing metre. Wonderful photo too! Enjoyable piece.
Wendy

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2022

Hello Wendy, so nice to hear from you. We have an abundance of moose and bears and other wildlife, but no kangaroos. Do you ever encounter them outside? I thought a wallaby was a baby kangaroo, am I wrong? What about koalas, do you ever see them? They seem so cuddly. I'd love to have one, but afraid I couldn't afford the eucalyptus leaves.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

Comment from zanya

Exceptional

A really enjoyable read about a part of the planet that often seems so remote - this Moos( probably representative of all Mooses!) and his activity provides an insight into life in the region and it is told with a lovely underlay of humor

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021

Oh my word Zanya, thanks so much for the generous review. Alaska is incredibly remote in so many places. Few people can imagine the vastness of the state. The Mat-Su borough alone encompasses some twenty-five thousand square miles. For as large as the state is, there is still less than a million people if I recall correctly. We more than make up for it in wildlife though. In Southeast Alaska, on Chichagof Island, there are more than two brown bears per square mile. That's a lot of bears! Perhaps some day you'll visit and see first hand the majesty of the land and the diversity of the wildlife.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings.
Tom

Comment from duchessofdrumborg

Excellent

'Moose on the Loose ' , is an exceptionally well-written and entertaining piece. Penned with craft and skill. This talented poet has told it as it is. I look forward to seeing your next post. Good luck with the contest. My fingers are crossed for you!

 Comment Written 31-Dec-2021

---

reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021

Thanks so much Duchess for the kind review and good wishes. I had the picture on hand and it just worked for the poem.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings
Tom

reply by duchessofdrumborg on 31-Dec-2021

Tom, you're more than welcome. The photo you have suits it to a 'T'. I hope your New Year is all you could wish for.
Bless you and take care,
the Duchess