Reviews from

The Creation of Sam McGee

A Robert Service tale

38 total reviews 
Comment from Terry Broxson
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Paul, you have done a very nice job with the story for the contest, good luck. I admit I did have to look up Robert Service and read his take on old Sam McGee.

If you do a follow-up, and I hope you do, consider what happens next after his buddy finds ole Sam sitting in the warm fire. That would be cool. Excellent work. Terry.

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Terry. That's a great idea that you have given me.
reply by Terry Broxson on 06-Oct-2022
    Paul, it just occurred to me, given what the poems are about, maybe I should not have said "cool,"...make that, it would be warm. Good luck. Terry.
Comment from Fleedleflump
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The format you've chosen, of rhyming couplets nested within broader couplets, does a great job of keeping the story moving along. It's a special skill, to impart narrative whilst maintaining a poetic form, but you make it look easy. I very much enjoyed.

Mike

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Mike. I tried to keep with the original meter that Robert Service used.
Comment from nomi338
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

It was difficult to get to the end of this story for two main reasons.
1. Frequent breaks, where I sat laughing so hard I nearly soiled myself.
2. There was a reluctance to finish reading this because I knew it eventually had to end, and I did not want it to.
You sir, are a skilled storyteller, who should be getting paid for these marvelous stories. I feel lucky to have been able to read for free a story I would have paid to read.

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    You are too kind, Nolan. I will try to have a few more, but it does take me awhile to write these.
reply by nomi338 on 06-Oct-2022
    You cannot, nor should you try to rush perfection. Take your time, the end result is well worth the wait.
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Excellent poem for the contest. Nice working of the rhyme throughout the poem. The story kept me engaged throughout the poem. Well done. I hope all is well with you.

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Ted. All is well so far.
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This story in rhyme flows well. To bad Sam never got the gold he wanted so bad. Maybe it was age and all that swearing.
Good luck in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Joan

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Joan. I'm trying to think up something more from Robert Service poems.
reply by dragonpoet on 06-Oct-2022
    You're welcome, Paul.
    Joan
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed your inventive tale of Sam McGee as it is entertaining and funny. Your metre is uneven in many places but this did not distract me from your fine story, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Christine. I knew that you might mention the meter. Many of the ballads by Robert Service use mixed meter. I had to stay with his form. It bothered me a little, but I got over it.
reply by Dolly'sPoems on 06-Oct-2022
    It is a fine poem x x x
Comment from Frank Malley
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

"The Creation of Sam McGee" is an exceptional story poem that runs for 15 stanzas without a metric misstep or an ill-chosen word. Well, maybe one: I think that squaring the meter with words like 'did, does, or do' is cumbersome. "And the fierce Arctic gales did blow" would be better (I contend) with 'Man - those arctic gales can blow!' I hope this one ends up in some Americana anthology.

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
    Thanks for your kind words, Frank. I was quite awhile composing this poem.
reply by Frank Malley on 05-Oct-2022
    My pleasure, Paul. Frank
Comment from karenina
Excellent
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Doggone it of you don't finesse FIFTEEN six line stanzas and do it so well I flew down the page holding on to your solid rhymes and even meter for balance!

Super entry for this contest! Hope I'm back to congratulate you on the win!

Karenina

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
    Thanks for your kind words, Karenina.
reply by karenina on 06-Oct-2022
    You bet!
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is fine story in a poem as you reveal the initial meeting and the ensuing experiences and adventures very well, in smoothly rhyming ballad-style format. Well done. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 05-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Wendy. First contest in awhile.
Comment from jacquelyn popp
Excellent
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I enjoyed reading this poem. To me it told a story well, and the words were written so perfectly the way they came out. I enjoyed the way that you used a lot of descriptive words to create such imagery, and I could picture the snow, and almost feel the cold of winter. Thank you for sharing. Hope to read more of your work.

 Comment Written 04-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
    Thanks, Jacquelyn. I'll try to put some more stuff out there.