Moose on the Loose
The snow drives the moose into town28 total reviews
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is well done, but I take offense at the notion that a moose is stupid! No animal is stupid! And furthermore, it is the civilization that is not adapting to the moose who are coming into town! Animals rule! I love the picture of a moose heading into a snowstorm!
It shows their steadfastness and their willingness to get to higher ground!
Have a happy 2022!
Jesse
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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This is well done, but I take offense at the notion that a moose is stupid! No animal is stupid! And furthermore, it is the civilization that is not adapting to the moose who are coming into town! Animals rule! I love the picture of a moose heading into a snowstorm!
It shows their steadfastness and their willingness to get to higher ground!
Have a happy 2022!
Jesse
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hello Jesse,
Thanks so much for the review and comments. This picture was taken from my front window. There was actually another one behind it in a neighbor's yard. They are fun to watch, but they can be destructive. I have to spray my ornamental trees or they will crop them as well.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings
Tom
Comment from damommy
Bless their hearts. They're doing whatever it takes to survive. They don't understand about the hard work that goes into gardening. I hate to hear they are run down by trains and such. It's on my bucket list to see one in real life. Love the poem. Very amusing.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Bless their hearts. They're doing whatever it takes to survive. They don't understand about the hard work that goes into gardening. I hate to hear they are run down by trains and such. It's on my bucket list to see one in real life. Love the poem. Very amusing.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hello Yvonne,
I honestly don't know how they survive on just twigs and branches in the long, cold winters of Alaska. It wouldn't seem that there would be enough nutrition to keep them going, but they seem to thrive. They are HUGE too. We had a big bull go walking by the front window a few weeks ago. Quite impressive. Come to South Central Alaska, you'll see some moose.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings
Tom
Comment from SimianSavant
He's eating my branches
The big tub of lard <= Great start to this poem
Let's head down to Tom's place, we'll have us a feast
So they come to my yard, the great hairy beasts <= This is fun description; I suggest you match feast with beast so that it rhymes a little bit better
Very nice entry overall with nice clean rhymes and a good narrative. The meter is a little off in a couple places, particularly towards the end. Here are a couple suggestions on how to adjust that:
where the snow isn't too deep <= you have one extra syllable here. I think you can get rid of the word *too*
With all the *wild* animals, deer, moose and bear <= I don't think you need the word wild. It tends to be spoken as two syllables with the diphthong, and it is understood that all those animals are wild.
Mutual respect, we must endeavor to pay <= too many syllables. Try something like: with great respect we endeavor to pay
And so every morning we'll start each new day <= This line feels like a little bit of a letdown; I'm sure you can come up with an ending that still ends in the word *day* that works well though -- you clearly have the skill to pull it off.
Thank you for the read!
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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He's eating my branches
The big tub of lard <= Great start to this poem
Let's head down to Tom's place, we'll have us a feast
So they come to my yard, the great hairy beasts <= This is fun description; I suggest you match feast with beast so that it rhymes a little bit better
Very nice entry overall with nice clean rhymes and a good narrative. The meter is a little off in a couple places, particularly towards the end. Here are a couple suggestions on how to adjust that:
where the snow isn't too deep <= you have one extra syllable here. I think you can get rid of the word *too*
With all the *wild* animals, deer, moose and bear <= I don't think you need the word wild. It tends to be spoken as two syllables with the diphthong, and it is understood that all those animals are wild.
Mutual respect, we must endeavor to pay <= too many syllables. Try something like: with great respect we endeavor to pay
And so every morning we'll start each new day <= This line feels like a little bit of a letdown; I'm sure you can come up with an ending that still ends in the word *day* that works well though -- you clearly have the skill to pull it off.
Thank you for the read!
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Thanks so much for your review and comments. Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings
Tom
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Your picture is great with equally great words to pair with it. I enjoyed reading your contest entry. Your lines read smoothly with good rhymes and a great storyline. I feel bad for the moose that they have to come into town and face those dangers because they are hungry.
Best wishes in the contest.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Your picture is great with equally great words to pair with it. I enjoyed reading your contest entry. Your lines read smoothly with good rhymes and a great storyline. I feel bad for the moose that they have to come into town and face those dangers because they are hungry.
Best wishes in the contest.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hello Jan,
Thanks so much for the fine review and comments. There is a surprising amount of wooded area around here, and if the moose chose to, they could avoid the populated areas, but they are browsers and I guess it's in their nature to move along to the next meal, regardless of where it leads them.
Have a safe and happy New Year gal.
Blessings
Tom
Comment from Debbie Pope
I am so glad that I read this. I cannot imagine wintering in Alaska, and I enjoy reading about it. There is a hardiness about the people and you depict that in your poem. People in Alaska understand and appreciate nature. You show that as well.
I hope you and your moose have a happy and safe new year.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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I am so glad that I read this. I cannot imagine wintering in Alaska, and I enjoy reading about it. There is a hardiness about the people and you depict that in your poem. People in Alaska understand and appreciate nature. You show that as well.
I hope you and your moose have a happy and safe new year.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hello Debbie,
Thanks for reviewing this poem and the fine comments. I can hardly imagine wintering in Alaska either. We were initially going to move to the lower 48, but with all the restrictions and the fact that it gets so hot in the summer, we opted, of all things, to move north. At least we have more paved roads now and many more places to shop. At the time I took this picture, I had another one of another moose in the backround, but it didn't come out as clear. One day there were five moose working their way over to my yard. I have a good stand of alders that they feed on.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings,
Tom
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I have been to Alaska in the summer, Beautiful!
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It is indeed!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
A fascinating write about the habits of the moose at this time of year and your poem is very interesting and informative, I loved this read, the rhymes and the sentiments, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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A fascinating write about the habits of the moose at this time of year and your poem is very interesting and informative, I loved this read, the rhymes and the sentiments, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hello Dolly,
Thanks so much for your kind review and comments. We have quite a number of moose in the area. They are fun to watch, but you have to be careful because they will walk right out in front of your car without stopping. It can be especially dangerous at night.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Blessings,
Tom
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Happy New Year to you too Tom x x x
Comment from RodG
I can only imagine how moose could be a problem for someone living in Alaska. The Speaker is definitely not happy, but she is also sympathetic, knowing how wildlife struggles to find food this time of year.
Rod
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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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I can only imagine how moose could be a problem for someone living in Alaska. The Speaker is definitely not happy, but she is also sympathetic, knowing how wildlife struggles to find food this time of year.
Rod
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Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hi Rod, thanks for the review and comments. I'm not sure why you thought I was a woman, but I guess that doesn't matter. We really have to keep an eye out for the moose, especially at night. About a month ago a big bull ran right in front of the car in broad daylight. I was fortunate enough to have seen it coming through the woods on the drivers side of the car. He didn't hesitate for a minute, just ran right across the road.
Happy New Year! Stay safe.
Tom
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That experience had to be frightening. Deer do that around here occasionally, but moose are so much bigger.
Sorry about the gender miscue. Rod
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No problem Rod. Yeah, they can really damage a car and the people inside. There are regular patrols that go out and pick up moose to salvage. I think people can put in a request to get them, or they go to a state institution, like an old folks home.
Comment from Paul McFarland
Nice going, Tom. We have moose here in Maine, also. We don't have the snow that you do, so they pretty much stay in the woods, except in summer when the bugs get to them. Then they will come out in the open to get a breeze.
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reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Nice going, Tom. We have moose here in Maine, also. We don't have the snow that you do, so they pretty much stay in the woods, except in summer when the bugs get to them. Then they will come out in the open to get a breeze.
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Comment Written 31-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2021
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Hi Paul,
Thanks for the review and comments. My son-in-law lived up near Prudhoe Bay. There were some moose there I guess, but mainly caribou on the tundra. In the summer the bugs are so bad that they can kill an animal or even drive them nuts. Sometimes they run helter-skelter to try and get away from them. Guess I'll stay where they bugs are semi-tolerable.
Have a blessed New Year. Stay safe.
Tom
