My Father's Fedora
Contest Entry: Free Verse of Remembrance46 total reviews
Comment from MissMerri
I loved this poem. It actually brought tears to my eyes as I could easily relate to your strong love for your father, obviously a rare and wonderful man who left you with many beautiful memories. Congratulations for winning first place in the contest! I was delighted to see that. It is a winner for sure. I loved it. MM
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2021
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I loved this poem. It actually brought tears to my eyes as I could easily relate to your strong love for your father, obviously a rare and wonderful man who left you with many beautiful memories. Congratulations for winning first place in the contest! I was delighted to see that. It is a winner for sure. I loved it. MM
Comment Written 05-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2021
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Thank you, Adonna!
How blessed I was to call this man my father...
Thank you!
diane
Comment from Anne Johnston
After reading your poem about your mother's perfume I went searching for this one, took me awhile to find it. It is on page 12 of your portfolio. I really enjoyed reading your tribute to your Dad. I passed by a lot of poems that sounded interesting, but didn't want to click on them, in case I had to start over in my search. Some day I want to go back and read some of them as well from before I became a member here.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
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After reading your poem about your mother's perfume I went searching for this one, took me awhile to find it. It is on page 12 of your portfolio. I really enjoyed reading your tribute to your Dad. I passed by a lot of poems that sounded interesting, but didn't want to click on them, in case I had to start over in my search. Some day I want to go back and read some of them as well from before I became a member here.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
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Oh, Anne!
How very kind of you to search!
And how special to know that you want to go back and read some of my offerings. I am both honored and humbled! Thank you!
diane
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You are welcome. When I read your poems, I am inspired to put more effort in my writing.
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Oh my goodness, Anne!
Thank you!
diane
Comment from Paul McFarland
Diane, I have traveled back in time in your portfolio to read this poem as you suggested. It was well worth the trip. I don't know if it is because the poem about your mother reminds me of my mother, but your mother's poem is the better one in my eyes. Your father's poem is really great though.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
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Diane, I have traveled back in time in your portfolio to read this poem as you suggested. It was well worth the trip. I don't know if it is because the poem about your mother reminds me of my mother, but your mother's poem is the better one in my eyes. Your father's poem is really great though.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2021
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Thank you, Paul!
My mother's poem is contains more detail; that is for certain. So much suffering at the end of her life...
My father was such a man of few words, but great humility and integrity...
Difficult to separate the two, but I know that I favor my father in appearance, and my mother in creativity. And both when it comes to approaching life with earnestness and kindness...
Thank you so much for revisiting "My Father's Fedora!"
diane
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It was a pleasure. Some day I will post poems about my mother and father. By the way, I was very impressed with the number of poems that you have written. I must take a look at some of them when I have time.
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Thank you, Paul!
There are some pretty darn good offerings, and some... well, not so much.
I am particularly fond of the ones re: my uncle and his WWII experience as a survivor of the Batann Death March and the Japanese prisoner of war camp, Cabanatuan, along with his subsequent death at 24 when an American submarine torpedoed the Hell ship, the Arisan Maru, upon which my uncle sailed - chained in its hold...
Thank you!
diane
Comment from WalkerMan
My own father wore a Fedora just like that. There was a particular store in New York City where he bought them as old ones wore out. The store kept a mold of his head so he could just order one by phone and then go to pick it up. Yes, he wore it at all times when out of the house, and a suit with perfectly folded handkerchief in the breast pocket when he went to work. He, too, was a kind and gentle gentleman; and I never heard a single "cuss-word" from him, even when no one else was present. Thus, your memorial poem resonates with me, just as it does for others who had such a father or important other man of that generation in their lives. Loss of that gentility (and its counterpart in women) contributes to the current sad state of our world. I miss my father, just as you do; and I miss his times, too. Your post is superb.
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2018
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My own father wore a Fedora just like that. There was a particular store in New York City where he bought them as old ones wore out. The store kept a mold of his head so he could just order one by phone and then go to pick it up. Yes, he wore it at all times when out of the house, and a suit with perfectly folded handkerchief in the breast pocket when he went to work. He, too, was a kind and gentle gentleman; and I never heard a single "cuss-word" from him, even when no one else was present. Thus, your memorial poem resonates with me, just as it does for others who had such a father or important other man of that generation in their lives. Loss of that gentility (and its counterpart in women) contributes to the current sad state of our world. I miss my father, just as you do; and I miss his times, too. Your post is superb.
Comment Written 01-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 03-Apr-2018
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Hello Mike,
I am very honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
I had wanted to pen this verse for a very long time.
How I miss my father...
I am so pleased my poetic offering resonates with you...
diane
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You are welcome, Diane. Even in the mid-1960s, I noticed a trend that appears now to be accelerating toward a most unattractive future worldwide. What we each miss in our respective fathers is that gentility which seems to be vanishing faster and faster from humanity, with all the nasty consequences that implies. -- Mike
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Very true, Mike.
Gentility has oftentimes been replaced by bravado and arrogance...
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Yes, that and worse....
Comment from Cedar
Hello Diane: This one really touched my heart. What a great writer you are my friend!
I've never been a big fan of free verse poetry until now. I'm old and always thought that if it doesn't rhyme "it ain't poetry." But after reading this piece about your dear old Dad (may he rest in peace) sort of changed my mind just a little.
Usually, all the free verses I review just ramble on and really don't make a lot of sense, however, with your outstanding winning entry I thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and I thank you for that.
I also believe that if not for this crazy ranking system we have here at Fanstory and writers were ranked by their talent alone, you my lady, would hold the highest position. Take care and keep writing...Bill
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello Diane: This one really touched my heart. What a great writer you are my friend!
I've never been a big fan of free verse poetry until now. I'm old and always thought that if it doesn't rhyme "it ain't poetry." But after reading this piece about your dear old Dad (may he rest in peace) sort of changed my mind just a little.
Usually, all the free verses I review just ramble on and really don't make a lot of sense, however, with your outstanding winning entry I thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and I thank you for that.
I also believe that if not for this crazy ranking system we have here at Fanstory and writers were ranked by their talent alone, you my lady, would hold the highest position. Take care and keep writing...Bill
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello Bill,
I have never received such a heartfelt review as what you have penned.
Thank you ever so much for your exceptional rating and touching and complimentary review.
I am honored that my small poem resonated with you. My father was such a wonderful man; I have wanted to write of his hat and its meaning to those he left behind for years...
Thank you again, friend... Your words truly touched me as well...
diane
Comment from Pantygynt
This is an excellent example of how metre can be used to good purpose in free verse. Even in the title it is there, unusually perhaps, but My father's fedora consists of a double amphibrach x / x | x / x where x = unstressed and / = stressed syllable. This use of metre in free verse frequently lifts the overall rythm and gives the piece a ring and zest to its flow.
Easy to see why it won!
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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This is an excellent example of how metre can be used to good purpose in free verse. Even in the title it is there, unusually perhaps, but My father's fedora consists of a double amphibrach x / x | x / x where x = unstressed and / = stressed syllable. This use of metre in free verse frequently lifts the overall rythm and gives the piece a ring and zest to its flow.
Easy to see why it won!
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello Friend,
I am so pleased you enjoyed my poetic offering.
It was a pleasure to pen.
Thank you for your excellent rating and positive review. Nice to know my poem has a "ring and a zest to its flow."
diane
Comment from johnwilson
This is so beautifully penned, picking us up with the speed of your emotions. It builds up that steam, as it starts slow with where the hat lays, and what it meant to your grandfather; then we start to feel the emotions, as if the hat were still alive, bringing us to the climax of the poem, that sharing of your intimacy and allowing us a peak at your wisdom. Yes, this is what we all need!!! Bravo! No wonder it won..publish-worthy and deserving of that sixth star, which I no longer possess. This reader was so impressed with your work!
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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This is so beautifully penned, picking us up with the speed of your emotions. It builds up that steam, as it starts slow with where the hat lays, and what it meant to your grandfather; then we start to feel the emotions, as if the hat were still alive, bringing us to the climax of the poem, that sharing of your intimacy and allowing us a peak at your wisdom. Yes, this is what we all need!!! Bravo! No wonder it won..publish-worthy and deserving of that sixth star, which I no longer possess. This reader was so impressed with your work!
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello JohnWilson!
So pleased you enjoyed my free verse poem.
Thank you for your excellent rating and review.
diane
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Hi KT - I can see why you won. This is a beautiful free verse. The words are full of feeling without being over sentimental. I got a shock when I switched on my PC and saw the hat. I thought it was my entry which is way down on the list and I thought for some reason it had suddenly leapt up the ratings. It is the same picture I think - only I call it a trilby and my entry is just a 5/7/5. I've just reread your poem. It really is a winner - Congratulations and warm regards Dorothy xx
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hi KT - I can see why you won. This is a beautiful free verse. The words are full of feeling without being over sentimental. I got a shock when I switched on my PC and saw the hat. I thought it was my entry which is way down on the list and I thought for some reason it had suddenly leapt up the ratings. It is the same picture I think - only I call it a trilby and my entry is just a 5/7/5. I've just reread your poem. It really is a winner - Congratulations and warm regards Dorothy xx
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello Dorothy,
Much appreciation for your excellent rating and complimentary review.
I so enjoyed penning this poem; I have meant to do so for years.
Thank you again!
diane
Comment from Sylvia Kennedy
YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS ALL OUT OF STRUCTURE, POOR PUNCTUATION, AND VERY UNGRAMMARICALLY INCORRECT. BUT, YOU ELABORATED UPON THE FEDORA TOPIC; WHICH, REMINDED ME OF OL' BLUE EYES; WHO, WILL FOREVER HAVE A WARM AND TENDER PLACE IN MY HOME AND HEART.
I EXTRND MY INVITATION FOR YOU TO FAN MY SITE, SYLVIA KENNEDY, AND REQUEST YOUR EDUCATED CRITIQUE OF MY LITERARY WRITING COMPOSITIONS, FOR YOU STATED YOU ARE AN EDUCATOR, AND I WELCOME AND WOULD APPRECIATE A FAN CRITIC SUCH AS YOU.
HAPPY EASTER.
SK
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS ALL OUT OF STRUCTURE, POOR PUNCTUATION, AND VERY UNGRAMMARICALLY INCORRECT. BUT, YOU ELABORATED UPON THE FEDORA TOPIC; WHICH, REMINDED ME OF OL' BLUE EYES; WHO, WILL FOREVER HAVE A WARM AND TENDER PLACE IN MY HOME AND HEART.
I EXTRND MY INVITATION FOR YOU TO FAN MY SITE, SYLVIA KENNEDY, AND REQUEST YOUR EDUCATED CRITIQUE OF MY LITERARY WRITING COMPOSITIONS, FOR YOU STATED YOU ARE AN EDUCATOR, AND I WELCOME AND WOULD APPRECIATE A FAN CRITIC SUCH AS YOU.
HAPPY EASTER.
SK
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Sylvia,
1. This poem is free verse = little to no punctuation. It is however, filled with free verse structure and is completely grammatically correct.
2. Of its nearly 40 reviews, which garnered it both a "Recognized Status" and "All Time Best Status," over 10 reviews are exceptional, and the rest are excellent, with the exception of yours. Additionally, a reviewer was so taken with my poem that he "bookmarked it" for further reference and enjoyment.
3. It took FIRST PLACE in the Free Verse Competition of 3/28/18.
4. Your rating of ***= Below Average is highly questionable.
5. I find your review passive/aggressive and nonsensical drivel.
6. I will NOT be visiting your site to review any of your work even though you "EXTRND" an invitation for me to do so.
Comment from duchessofdrumborg
"My Father's Fedora" is an extremely well-written and heart-warming piece. Tinged with nostalgia, it was a pleasure to both read and review. This is a six, but unfortunately I only have fives left
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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"My Father's Fedora" is an extremely well-written and heart-warming piece. Tinged with nostalgia, it was a pleasure to both read and review. This is a six, but unfortunately I only have fives left
Comment Written 29-Mar-2018
reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018
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Hello Friend,
Thank you ever so much for your excellent rating and complimentary review.
I so enjoyed penning this piece.
Thank you again!
diane
