Comment from Franklin Price

Excellent

A great example of the requirements of this contest. With only seventeen syllables you have put forth the very essence of friendship. The artwork chosen fully reflects the message for me. I tried to review this with fewer word but I was not allowed. I have only read four so far, but I can imagine none better; so you get my vote

 Comment Written 04-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2017

Thanks for the encouraging review and vote. I met up with an old friend and as we talked and caught up the dust came off and the friendship shined again, cheers, j

reply by Franklin Price on 04-Jan-2017

Of course you did. That's what real friends are all about.

Comment from angel123

Excellent

Your poem about friendship is interesting and I like the comparison you made about friendship being as valued, as patina, a treasure.

angel123

 Comment Written 04-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2017

Thanks for the review. Patina is that green covering on brass and when you rub it off, the brass shines again. I met up with an old friend and as we talked and laughed, it was like the dust of time rubbed away, and the friendship shined again. Cheers, j

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Excellent

Hello, sweetie pie, I love your senryu about friendship...
Friendship is precious to me and I love you, little sister.

I wish you well in the contest,

Gypsy buddha hugs

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 03-Jan-2017

Thanks for the review, I met up with an old friend and as we talked (she gave me a great haircut, hallelujah) and laughed and reconnected, it did feel like a rubbing away of patina, exposing the jewel of a friend beneath. Been walking and working out the past 3 days, back on keto diet. It was like she shook me up from my self induced hibernation, Hope you have a lucky day, love Judy

Comment from sanejane

Exceptional

This is stunning, Judester. The words are beautiful and thought provoking, added to which, the image and presentation sparkle with a kind of joy. Amazing. You've written a diamond. I don't often give a sixes for a 5-7-5, but this has to be worth it. Good luck, friend, in the contest. Jane

 Comment Written 02-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017

Thanks for the ecouraging review and sparkling stars to light my way. The story behind this poem is I met up with an old friend. She had moved away to India and was now back in Arusha. I just didn't want to talk to anyone and knew that she was trying to reach me. I finally went to see her and suddenly remembered what a good friend she was. The first thing she said to me was "oh you lost weight" ...bless her lying little heart. I walk in the house and her brother goes, "wow Judy you got big" anyway, we had a nice talk and she gave me a great hair cut which always makes me feel better. She didn't want to accept money, but I could see that the family needed money. just talking with her made me feel better about myself,
I have gotten back on my keto diet and have been walking and exercising this week. I am in shape, except for my stomach which makes me look fat. She just kinda woke me up from my solitary and sheltered life. That's what good friends do. Cheers, j

reply by sanejane on 02-Jan-2017

I'm sorry. I would never have guessed that anything was bothering you - apart from the obvious things, like animal abuse, world starvation, war, hatred, radioactive waste, the ecology in general...
Well, I'm glad we had this chat. I hope it cheered you up as much as it did me.
I go to a gym to lose weight (amongst other things). I've put on 12lbs since I started attending...
Remember to make regular visits to Arusha, unless it's too far away.
Blessings, from J To J.

reply by the author on 03-Jan-2017

Yes, I will go and be more active, Arusha is only 20 minute drive from Lake Duluti. I invited her and family to come for lunch and walk around the lake. It is just so easy to hibernate. Have you heard of the keto diet? Helps with weight loss and brain fog. No carb, high protein...Lots of cheese, avocado,egg, bacon, meat, veg. No sugar, wheat flour, little fruit (which is sugar) When you read how it works, it makes sense. Being in Africa is good and bad for this diet, they want 12 dollars for 500 grams of almond or coconut flour. So I buy fresh coconuts cheap, then grate and put in the sun for a day, then grind.
Not sure if it is the same in Europe, but all the wheat grown now in the States in genetically modified and it is causing big problems with something called wheat belly, Americans are getting so fat from this simple staple. That and high fructose corn syrup, the worse, body cannot process. I am going to lose weight because that is why I don't want to socialize. Seriously the first thing people say is how big I am. In Tanzania, that is a compliment because it means you have money to eat, but to a previously slim Canadian, it makes me want to hibernate again ha ha.

reply by sanejane on 03-Jan-2017

It's hard to avoid worrying about your image - no matter how hard you try. I feel bad about my weight no matter how hard people try to reassure me. I know I don't need to lose much, but I used to be borderline anorexic, and I still have a longing to see my bones jutting out.
The keto diet sounds great. Cheese and avocado are my favorite foods in the world, and I'm trying to get up the impetus to give up wheat and corn syrup. My biggest problem is sugar in coffee. Apart from water, I only drink coffee. Oh, and the stupid man in this stupid block where I live keeps giving me stupid chocolate and stupidly declaring his stupid love for me. I've told him that he gives me any more I'll take it to the Oxfam shop where I volunteer. Now he wants to buy me stupid clothes, so I've told him they'll go to the Oxfam shop, too.
Sorry - where was I? I know - I hope it wasn't your weight which stopped you from going back to Canada for Christmas, but I have a bad feeling it was.
I bet you're not very much overweight - but you feel as if you are, so you really need to stick to the diet, or you'll never be happy with yourself.

reply by the author on 03-Jan-2017

The day I went to town, I was bloated and had the wrong shirt on, so I was just uncomfortable. I was always thin and trained for 20 years shidokan karate, I plastered which also kept me in shape up and down ladders. It is just the past few years this belly has come. I know I was comfort eating and lots of candy. It is slowly coming down and I am being concious of what I eat. Mike goes to Canada for Christmas and I go to my cabin in the summer. It is probably the best place for me to lose weight. I am constantly walking around the land and always lots of projects going on.
Check out the keto, especially if you love eggs, avocado, bacon. the only thing I miss on this diet is the bread, but you adjust. I flatten a piece of pork, fry it and make a pizza on top instead of flour crust. Anyway, new year and new me. I will go to zanzibar when Mike gets back for a couple months (There I lose weight with the swimming and beach combing) then America in June. I want to sell 5 acres of land. I will use the money to fix up my cabin so I can rent to skiiers next winter, 5 minutes from the hill. A little too rustic right now for anyone but me ha ha Judy of the woods. Have a lucky day and tell that guy to stop bringing you chocolates, I am sure there are more needful things if he is feeling generous. xxj

reply by sanejane on 03-Jan-2017

Your pizza idea sounds great.
So, you like living in the woods... I lived in a tent in the woods for six months. My niece and I got a job as wardens of an Eco holiday camp. The word Eco was stuck in their as a marketing ploy, but there was no electricity, so I was in my element.
I'm going to check out the keto diet as soon as I stop obsessively typing... J

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Amazing picture to go with your poem! I am struck with the adjective "stubborn" and yet that is what we need in friendship to be persevering no matter how much time and space weathers our friendship, it needs to stubbornly stay strong.

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017

Thanks for the insightful review. I met up with an old friend and realized what a jewel she was to me. We had so much to talk about and she gave me a much needed haircut. Friendships can fade and must be shined up once in a while, Wishing you a wonderful New Year, judester

reply by lyenochka on 02-Jan-2017

Many blessings to you in the New Year! And please keep us all posted on how the drone project works. Hoping that the elephants will be safe!

reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017

Good news from China, They are closing the ivory carving shops. It is a cultural thing for them, but I think they realize it is time to adjust. I would love to be out of work if the elephants can be safe, cheers, j

reply by lyenochka on 02-Jan-2017

Great news, indeed! If the market isn't there, the poachers should stop.

reply by the author on 02-Jan-2017

It won't stop overnight , but it is a very step. There has to be educationso people realize the implications. Many people think tusks grow back not realizing these magnifcient beasts are killed for 2 tusks. Same with the rhino. the horn is merely kerotin, like nails and hair, it will not help in the bedroom. Must break down these ancient cultural beliefs because it is a different world now.Cheers, j

Comment from padumachitta

Excellent

Hi
Happy Year to come,
thanks for this wee poem, and a gem of a one it is.
I have a friend like this or perhpas...no I am not stubborn..ahh.
:-) padumachitta

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017

Thanks for the review, I met up with an old friend and realized how precious she was to me, Wishing you a wonderful New Year, cheers, j

Comment from Quantum Traveler

Excellent

Beautiful Imagery...Excellent Senryu.
This would be a good year to Dust Off the Shelf...Remove the Crust and Polish Up the Friendships who have become Mirages in the Desert Sand.
Beautiful Graphics Judester...Very Well Done...Quantum Traveler...Phil.

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017

Thanks for the review Phil. I met up with an oldfriend and realized how precious she was to me. Wishing you a wonderful NewYear.Your friend in prose judester

reply by Quantum Traveler on 01-Jan-2017

Cheers to You and The New Year...I have enjoyed our connection across the watery blue...Q.T...Phil.

reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017

Cheers, j

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Senryu. A true friendship is more precious than all the jewels of the world. When both are true and honest it is a great treasure both holds.

 Comment Written 01-Jan-2017

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reply by the author on 01-Jan-2017

Thanks for the review. I met up with a good friend after years of not keeping in touch and we had such a wonderful afternoon catching up, plus she gave me a great haircut. Wishing you all the best for the NewYear, j