Comment from Dawny53

Excellent

I am ashamed to admit that I am so poorly informed on my history, but you gave me a brief and meaningful lesson right here.. I benefited from it greatly. Thank you for sharing this sad story.. and for educating me!

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Thanks for your great review, I am very pleased that you enjoyed reading it. Mary

Comment from seaglass

Excellent

My ancestry is Ireland, and recently I've been captivated by its history. This is a beautiful tribute to a brave patriot. Did Maude go by the last name of McBride? I would like to read some of her writing.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

I am glad you enjoyed it. If you go into Google, and put Maude Gonne, you will get all the information on her life etc. A very interesting read. Mary

Comment from honeytree

Excellent

Wonderful art work for these words written.

Word written here are wonderful to read

this lady Maude Gonne dedicated her life to help others.

honey tree

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thank you Honeytree,for the excellent review, Mary

reply by honeytree on 23-Jul-2014

Loved what you wrote
had no six left.

Annie

Comment from DanielEkine

Exceptional

She was and always would be, an inspiration. Great job to all the feminists out there.
I really like the entirety of this work, but this verse really touched me, "She was born on England's soil
this lady of beauty and beguile
with enthusiasm unbounded
"Daughters of Ireland" she founded."
A unique piece. The artwork feels brave like the rhyme of this piece.

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks Daniel for the great vote of confidence in that stanza, as a previous reviewer only gave me 3 stars for it being an awkward poem.

I appreciate you exceptional rating of a six. Mary

Comment from Tomes Johnston

Excellent

This is a subject that is close to my heart, being Irish myself. Many have fought and died for freedom. This is something that we should never relinquish easily. Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Thank you Tomes for an excellent review, and yes I agree with you we should never relinquish easily, if we did that we would never learn from the past. Mary

reply by Tomes Johnston on 21-Jul-2014

Indeed

Comment from RPSaxena

Excellent

Hello Jackarrie,
Nice piece of poetry beautifully depicting the story of Maude Gonne.
Impressive wording having smooth flow with lovely rhyming scheme and lively imagery.
"A woman of substance,
fighting for justice
from the English invader
an Irish Joan of Arc crusader."
Good Luck!

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Thank you for the excellent review, I do appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. Mary

Comment from robina1978

Exceptional

I had never heard of this lady. But that makes it an even more original subject for the contest. I did not realise poets should never marry but you have obviously done some research on it. Best wishes for the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Hi Robina, I am so pleased you enjoyed my poem and gave it six stars. It was Maude who was quoted as saying poets should never marry, but it could have been a nice way of refusing his proposal.
I think most artists are a law onto themselves, and can make difficult partners. But this is not for every artist.
Mary

Comment from Pyrrho

Average

I've got to admit, even though I am half Irish I tired of both mention of the stereotypical Irish drunk and the interminable stories of religious and economic warfare in both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

Now to your poem.

narrative poems are tough duty and your effort is monumental, but:

Reverse English in lines 1 and 8 and to a lessor degree are awkward.

"... what followed did betide." I do not think there is a more awkward wat to say, what happened follows.

the entire poem has an awkward feel that lures you reader from the message. it is a good start, but needs work.

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

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Thank you Pyrrho for your review, I feel you have been harsh, but it is your view.
I am inclined to think that there is a bit of Irish in most people. You may find it irritating to hear about the past troubles of Ireland, and do not like to give praise for the people who were fighting legitimately for freedom and Justice. It is the past but we must not forget the brave people who fought. This is the reason for memorials lest we forget.

Comment from tbacha58

Excellent

Pride of a loving mother was denied
some twenty years earlier Maude died.

Hello Mary, Bravo. Your poems are always written with important research, the elite poems come from an intellectual lady, who digs to find a poem with a story, and more, the rhyming always gives your poems more depth, and the flow is amazing. Good luck in this contest. Bless u Terry xoxo

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Thanks Terry for the wonderful review. Mary

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

This is such a moving tribute to a woman of courage and valour - I can well envision the horrific struggle she must have faced in those times. What a wonderful history lesson!

 Comment Written 19-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2014

Thanks for the wonderful review, yes it was a terribe time in Irish history. Mary

reply by Dawn Munro on 20-Jul-2014

It was my pleasure.