Reviews from

Chronicles of the Wandering Man

Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "The Cuckoo and the Eldritch Kiss"
An extended story in poem form

36 total reviews 
Comment from Nanette Mary
Excellent
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Hullo Mike ...

This is well written and a pleasure to read because you have expressed your thoughts clearly whilst maintaining a good, steady rhythm throughout.
There is nothing to suggest changing and I thank you for sharing these thoughts with us.
With love from ..... Nanette Mary.

 Comment Written 20-May-2010

Comment from Sally Carter
Excellent
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I haven't read any other parts of this poem before, but found this really interesting. Story poems seem quite unusual these days, but this felt immediately engaging.
Your meter is terrific, and I particularly enjoyed Section VI, which was both vivid and moving.
Best of luck in the contest.
Sally

 Comment Written 20-May-2010

Comment from knowledge
Excellent
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Does a man have a womb? My spell checker said, "An organ where a baby grows". Your poetry reminds my so much of Poe.

Thank You My Friend,

Knowledge

 Comment Written 02-May-2010


reply by the author on 03-May-2010
    I hope a man doesn't have a womb :-). I intended it to symbolise the birth of energy and hope as he eats real food for the firt time ina very long time, but admittedly it's a bit obscure :-)

    Mike
Comment from babylonia
Excellent
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mike,
i'm definitely enjoying this one. this is like a warning to those who think it could never happen. LOL yeah, lets just keep destroying our world, it'll never come back to bite us on the arse. LOL just kidding. off to part three. by the way ... LOVE the bio pic.
love,
barbara

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 02-May-2010
    Haha, thank you :-). The bio pic is a macro shot I took of our cat Ozzy. We call it 'The Codfather'. I think he's the perfect accompaniment to my writing!

    Mike
reply by babylonia on 02-May-2010
    mike,
    he definitely is~ makes me miss my black cat. i fear after being AWOL for several months that he probably isn't coming back. sigh. that's why i don't like kitties outside. LOL i like that .. the codfather. :P
    love,
    barbara
Comment from Lydia LaMent
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I'm starting to looove the Wandering Man, love his character and also the desperation and desolation of the world that he is exploring.
In this adventure I enjoyed the repetitive mocking Cuckoo call that leads him on his quest, I wonder who else may be watching his movements?
I absolutely loved the description of the hugging skeletons, how their "love-sick" embrace endured through time and how it affected the Wandering Man. I like to see that he is sensitive to such sentiments :)
Can't wait to read more!

 Comment Written 24-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 26-Apr-2010
    Thank you, Lydia. What a fanastic review! I'm thriled you picked out the bedroom scene (sounds dodgy!) because I was particularly happy with that bit. I'm on the cusp of posting part three. So glad you enjoyed :-)

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

I just love the dark, stark imagery, this is a fascinating tale mate, you have my full attention, you are a great storyteller Mike, you go for it friend, thoroughly enjoyable read.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 26-Apr-2010
    It's great to have you along, Hitch; you're always a good companion on the ride. I'm really happy you're enjoying this one, and especially when I get those lovely reviews with messages attached! I'm hard at it with parts 3 and 4, but of course I'm not happy with them. I think that's par for thecourse though!

    Mike
Comment from Oatmeal
Excellent
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Fleedleflump,

The theme was excellent. The flow was nice. Atmosphere is full of vivid and delightful descriptions.

There was no SPAG. No room for improvement.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Love you,

Oatmeal

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2010
    Thank you, Oatmeal! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one :-)

    Mike
Comment from hotstuff
Excellent
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Gosh, this is a great continuation to your story Mike. I was teary when I read V1. How sad, but sadder to be left alone in the aftermath. I probably would prefer the fate of that dead couple. I loved every line of this posting and love how you have left the story in suspense. I am eager to read on.





 Comment Written 22-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 22-Apr-2010
    Thank you, Hotstuff :-). I was particularly pleased with IV, so I'm thrilled you picked it out for special mention. I'm busy with part 3 at the moment. Might be a couple of days yet though!

    Mike
Comment from M. Karol
Excellent
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Excellent. To put such adventures in poetry form must be a Herculean task....yet it looks as if it flows so easy. I could actually sing along as it flowed.
In the last para, you have left the reader wondering....

Madhvi

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 22-Apr-2010
    Thank you, Madhvi :-). I wanted to end on a bit of a cliffhanger, hopefully drawing readers back for part three! I'm so glad you enjoyed the read.

    Mike
Comment from Rasp E
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The first stanza made me shiver. Literally. So good!

I think in part IV, the very last line needs one more syllable somehow to keep the meter steady. I'll let you decide what you want to do instead of interfering with a suggestion. :)

And then the first stanza of part VI made me shiver again.

"a cold comfort absurd" - great line, but deviates from your meter a bit. Comfort just doesn't make an iambic foot.

Same with the following words in part VII: warnings


The very last word is where I'll make a suggestion: plot. As in grave. I think that's a bit stronger and darker than lot. Do what you will. I'm so loving all of this. I don't even care about the meter really, since I like the poem so much, but since I'm writing a review anyway...

Take care!

 Comment Written 21-Apr-2010


reply by the author on 22-Apr-2010
    Thank you for the awesome review :-). You're right about 'comfort' - it'd flow better as "a comfort, cold, absurd", but that makes less sense, lol! I'll ponder all your comments; I have a couple of others to think about as well. I wasn;t trying for perfect meter as such, more letting the content decide how it wanted to flow, but the trouble is that I've hit it for the most part, so the occasional variations stick out somewhat :-/

    Thanks again!

    Mike
reply by Rasp E on 22-Apr-2010
    You could always add more anti-iambics in critical places...then it's not so much a variation as you deliberately keeping your readers on their toes. (It's good for them! lol) I do really love this...can't wait to see more.