Reviews from

Four Men

This is in response to the song by Nina Simone Four Women

15 total reviews 
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

These are sad poems as it seems that America cannot shake off its history and move on. The terrorist bombing was a very tragic event and both poems are powerful and riddled with violence which is quite shocking to me. I can see how you were inspired to write your version of the original song here. We are at the mercy of those who still hold grudges and prejudices in life and will not live and let live. A powerful write, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
    Thank you Dolly. I cannot listen to the original sonf without being chilled to my core.
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

As I sit here, not even knowing how to start, I am almost speechless and feel a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Memories of the 60s flood into my head of how that event and many more that were caused by the hate created by something I never understood. Just as God made different colors of flowers, birds, etc, He made us all different. But not just in skin color, but w different opinions, hair color, eyes and hearts. So why did skin have to be so important to make people feel dominant over the other? I didn't understand then, and I don't now. As tears fall for the powerful message that Nina Simone wrote, they fall as hard for the powerful message that you wrote. Such a comparison of the 4 different types of women to the men who were so similar in each stanza was not just powerful, but so heart breaking. How could you not feel anger, hate and contempt for those who were so full of racial discrimination. And yet to judge all the whites is maybe more understandable than those whites who judged all the blacks. I have never known the anguish that has been suffered by the hands and hearts of someone who is hates someone for being different. I feel embarrassed for my race who could permit this type of anarchy because it still to this day is caused by the some who are supposed to be fair and who are to enforce the law, not to judge and hate. What a wonderful response to Simone and I applaud you Nolan Miller and thank you!

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
    Thank you for your heartfelt expressions. Let me be very clear. I am an artist who is given to artistic expressions. I harbor hatred for no one. Of course I am saddened and somewhat angered by the hatred and violence against anyone. I do however know what the source of that hatred is. It is from Satan the Devil, who hates everyone that God loves. I will always try to follow the Bible's instructions to show love to all people, despite what they do to me. Let the blame and fault be on them, not on me. Later the reward will be mine, the punishment will be theirs.
reply by Debi Pick Marquette on 03-Aug-2022
    Ok, and that is my point exactly, how can anyone hate who God made in His image?
    So with that being said, I have one more important question for you. Lol, What do I call you now, Nomi or Nolan?
Comment from TDLRasmar
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I thought you gave a nice tribute to not only Nina Simone, but to all those that have pursued liberty in the face of oppression. Nice job. Of course, Nina Simone is a classic.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
    Thank you, I pray that no one was insulted or angered by my humble attempt.
Comment from C. Gale Burnett
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What an awesome job you've done with this ... taking Nina Simone's song 'Four Women' and creating male offspring of those same four women and offering their perspective of who they are and why.

Great rhythm and rhyme. Liked that you did not repeat the last line of each stanza, 'My name is .... '.

I'm just amazed.
Gale

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 03-Aug-2022
    Wow Gale. I am so honored by your kind and gracious comments. I am struggling to find the adequate words to say again thank you.
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

My agenda is simply anti prejudice whatever that form comes in, if there were no difference in colour, creed or religion, there would still be prejudice, it existed in countries that had similar backgrounds, the whites still had tribal issues, Anglo-Saxons against celts, Lords of the manor with serfs, I'm pretty sure Africans had tribal wars, and related to captured slaves badly, the problem is man is sinful, whatever his colour is. All peoples are equal in God's eyes, would black folk if they were in the majority be any different? I know they treat each other badly in South Chicago, don't they? But I love you brother, no matter what, blessings Roy

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 02-Aug-2022
    I appreciate your thoughts. Let me assure you that my intent was to try and capture the essence of the Nina Simone composition only. To love my fellow beings is a command from God and truly none dare be so bold as to disobey that command and not expect the bear the consequences.
reply by royowen on 02-Aug-2022
    Of course