Reviews from

I Hereby Crown Thee ...

Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Here We Go Again"
A collection of crowns of sonnets

42 total reviews 
Comment from Michele Harber
Excellent
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Wow! What a powerful condemnation of the journalists who set an agenda and amend the news to fit it, and the corporations who put money ahead of human life. That you say all this, and make your points so strongly, while following the rules for a crown of sonnets, from line and syllable count, to iambics, and the repetition of the last line of one verse as the first line of the next, is amazing! Excellent job.

 Comment Written 30-May-2022


reply by the author on 30-May-2022
    Thanks so much, Michele :-). I'm really glad you liked it and saw my target was the agendas rather than people themselves.

    Mike
reply by Michele Harber on 30-May-2022
    You're very welcome.
Comment from LisaMay
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh my goodness - I am in awe of your poetic ability in crafting this crown of sonnets that covers such wide-ranging observations of the recent horror. Reactions from various sides are treated with gravity and satire as blame or excuses are directed. If only everyone was a poet, with a pen in their hands instead of a gun.

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 30-May-2022
    Thank you so much :-). I bet if everyone was a poet, we'd get fed up with poetry pretty fast! There would be a new trend for writing with no flourishes whatsoever. I'm thrilled you liked my poem :-)

    Mike
Comment from leather
Excellent
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Oh goodness, a crown of sonnets is something that I was not familiar with and after reading your poem, I am intimidated by it. It's far too complicated for me, but I certainly admire your investment of time and talent.

My favorite line is, "The murdering of children, we should say, should be discouraged, because it is unfair." When I was growing up, disgruntled or depressed people would often resort to suicide or self-destruction but not so often to homicide or the destruction of others. With time, it seems that the destruction is not so well contained- that suicide evolved to include taking the life of others. Most recently, not even the sanctity of children is respected. It is unfair to take from these fresh, young people a chance to find their own way through life. It is unfair and more than that.

You addressed a significant flaw in our current society. Thank you.

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 30-May-2022
    Thank you :-). It's been a few years since I wrote one of these so it was a good exercise to get the poetic juices flowing. And what a terrible subject to crop up - one that needed the longer structure, I thought. Thank you for sharing your reaction with me.

    Mike
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
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This is a well done crown of sonnets that is serious and satirical at the same time. It shows us that everyone but the NRA has too much power and that they are too stubborn and probably in some way responsible for the shootings for not allowing a simple background check before anyone could get a gun. I wonder if some of the members might be afraid that if there were retroactive background checks their licenses would be revoked.
It does seem like the media love these stories because their station, paper of magazine may get more followers.
Keep writing and stay healthy
dragonpoet

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 30-May-2022
    Thank you :-). I'm from the UK so I have a different cultural perspective but I struggle to understand why anyone 'needs' a gun - or any weapon, really - except for a job role. The argument about defending one's self from one's own government doesn't compute in my head - it sound bananas.

    Anyway, my intent here was to skewer the mad agenda-driven responses to these things where everyone scrambles to use it for their own pre-existing causes.

    I'm thrilled you liked it :-)

    Mike
reply by dragonpoet on 30-May-2022
    Mike,
    I agree with you about guns. Too many cause so many problems. I just think they all should be melted down accept those needed for war and maybe hunting to keep animal populations in check or for food. Never just to mount a head.
    Joan
Comment from Richard Montfort Cary
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

An excellent set of sonnets!!!! Well-crafted. Not sing songy. To build seven sonnets as good as these are, individually, is one thing, but to build seven sonnets this well interlaced is a crowning achievement.

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 29-May-2022
    Thank you so much, Richard. That means a lot coming from a sonneteer such as yourself. I'm really thrilled you liked it :-).

    Mike
reply by Richard Montfort Cary on 29-May-2022
    I look forward to your Posts as time marches on.... :>)
reply by Richard Montfort Cary on 29-May-2022
    Mike,
    I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your work.
    Richard
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Shocking news sells and the population feeds off the shocking news more so than the good news, it is a sad fact of life. Your crown of sonnets are well rhymed and metered and your message is quite sad as life can be cruel the recent shooting has brought much grief to many people and has indeed shocked the entire world.

I struggled with this line as it is out of metre and needs some adjustment.

Cause: Without guns, there's no need for alarm

Perhaps:

"without the guns, there's no need for alarm"

Overall I thought these sonnets were cleverly and skilfully written and I enjoyed this post.

Love Dolly x

 Comment Written 29-May-2022


reply by the author on 29-May-2022
    Thanks so much, Dolly :-). I did struggle with that line, but adjusting it would mean also adjusting the previous sonnet (which is fine of course) and also the Effect: line that follows, since it would make less sense without Cause:. That said, I'm fond of saying there's always a way! I'm really glad you liked the piece :-).

    Mike
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Very good and satirical artwork which is of course a perfect complement to a fine crown of sonnets.

So right that many, if not all, institutions have taken a closer examination with the introduction of such a wide range of voices on the Net.

Your metre is spot on, as are your rhymes, and the interlinking last line of each sonnet weaves well into the next.

Journalists have sadly turned themselves into nothing more than talk show hosts with opinions from their regular panel of friends with the introduction of news 24/7 subjected to their longevity based on ratings. I guess actual news is just too boring for many TV viewers.

A fine piece of social commentary with just the right does of satire to make this a fine read today.

Much enjoyed. :))

Gloria

 Comment Written 28-May-2022


reply by the author on 29-May-2022
    Thank you so much, Gloria :-). I was worried I might upset some people, but I think I took aim at everyone and most have realised whT I'm sending up is the self-serving responses to the event rather than the genuine wishes of most to help.

    Thank you for reading it in the spirit intended!

    Mike
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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What I don't understand is our cities with the strictest gun regulations also have the highest murder rates. I'm pretty sure it's not the guns, but people who have issues that need to be handled before they get to this level.

 Comment Written 28-May-2022


reply by the author on 29-May-2022
    Thank you, Barbara :-). I suspect what's needed is a multi-thread approach that involves all the various lobbies and their agendas, but that would require cooperation, which seems anathema these days! Still, I'm glad I'm not the one tasked with sorting things out. I'll stick to poking gentle fun at the histrionics and the way victims tend to get lost in the political clamouring.

    Mike
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Guns are the tool, not the problem. Mental illness exacerbated by violent, graphic video games normalizes the horror in the sick mind. Attention to mental illness in all its forms is where we should be going with this. Diagnosis, treatment, and caution as to what maleable young minds are exposed to will do more than further punishing the law abiding. And the press merely publishes what readers are willing to pay for.

Your Crown of Sonnets always amaze me. Mike. They're flawless. :) Nancy

 Comment Written 28-May-2022


reply by the author on 28-May-2022
    Thanks so much, Nancy. What frustrates me most is all the loud voices with their pre-existing agendas, using this situation as 'proof' they have the magic cure. The reality, as you intimate, is more complex and hard work, and will involve a little slice of everyone's pie.

    Thanks for the awesome review :-).

    Mike
Comment from GeraldShuler
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Without doubt, this is the most meaningful commentary on this topic I have ever read. It is only coincidence that it is also the best poem as well. This piece needs more than just your "distribution list". This is worthy to be the voice for all America. Masterful writing.

 Comment Written 28-May-2022


reply by the author on 28-May-2022
    Wow, high praise indeed. Many thanks, Gerald. I see so much histrionic posturing going on, satire seemed to be the only response.

    Mike