Comment from frogbook

Excellent

A well worded and interesting poem immersing us into this cultural area and your thoughts. Aptly described and with a nice form and lilt.

 Comment Written 28-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2018

Thanks so much :))
Carol

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Carol,

Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. In the last stanza, you reference black hair, so do you have that beautiful black hair like a Native American?

Your Author's notes were very informative,

patty

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

My hair used to be black, or dark brown anyway. Now it's mostly grey, lol.

Thanks Patty :))
Carol

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Doesn't Montana have a boast about being the most beautiful of all the states Carol? I've motored through some of the US, mainly the east, but never seen the west, (I've seen a big portion of OZ, but not all.) beautifully written work, an explanatory and articulate free verse, well done, thanks for the author notes, well done, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

I think many of the states are beautiful but I'm biased in favor of Montana. Glacier Park and the environs are just so stunning. I've been there before several times, but am always just blown away by how beautiful it is :))

Carol

reply by royowen on 28-Jun-2018

It is Carol

Comment from Ulla

Exceptional

Hi Carol, I'm always so glad to see you posting, and this time I was yet again not disappointed. In fact your free verse poem is beautiful. I ran with you all the way. How poetically you showed your love for this wonderful and majestic spot. Montana is one of the States I have not yet been to, but it is now on the list where I would like to go next time I come to the States. I've just come back home from Massachusetts visiting my family there. Warm regards. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

I think Glacier Park is so amazing, I hope you do go there! If you decide to visit southern California at any time, you must let me know - it would be fun to meet :))

Thank you for such a great review!
Carol

reply by Ulla on 28-Jun-2018

Oh, I will, Carol. I will definitely take you up on your word. It would be great to meet. i think we could have a great deal to talk about. Ulla:)))

Comment from Joan E.

Exceptional

Congratulations on running the half-marathon and taking the splendid photograph of Lower Two Medicine Lake for us to share! I admired the mood you immediately created of running with Siksika and your use of personification and sounds to intensify your theme. Your social commentary was very effective as well. Cheers- Joan

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

Thanks, Joan. It was such an amazing trip, we saw miles and miles of beautiful country, did some hiking, did a horseback trail ride...so much fun. Thank you for the six stars, much appreciated. Free verse can be hard, because there is no set form and it's not always clear when it's done, lol.

By the way, I am working early day shifts next week so I cannot come to the class. It may be hard for me in the summer when our schedule is so variable...the class is Tuesday, isn't it?

Carol

reply by Joan E. on 28-Jun-2018

Yes, Tuesdays, except next week when the Malibu Senior Center will be closed. I hope you'll be able to join us before the Fall, but the new semester will bring more
classes. Smiles- Joan

Comment from Artasylum

Excellent

I loved and hung on every single word of it... I know this will sound like a blow off but I really want you to have a six for this and I'm out... I will keep a note... Yours diana

I envied you your
ten thousand years' history -
flesh sprung from this
backbone of Earth
blood milked from glacial springs
spirit free as the big sky
Gods running with you

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

Thank you, Diana - I know we all run out of the sixes too fast. I really appreciate your words very much :))
Carol

Comment from Pantygynt

Exceptional

This is a truly beautiful piece of free verse that uses the run as the basis for an important socio-political comment. Such is your skill though, that it does not appear as a rant on how badly the white man has treated the indigenous inhabitants of America, but rather as a tribute to an ancient way of life.

The use of language is truly impressive and I would single out the fourth stanza as my favourite for that reason.

This has to be worth six stars.

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

It's hard to escape the fact that conditions are grim on the reservations. I had to throw that in there. But I'm happy to know that the tribe is working on reviving the language and their old customs. The language is so strange but beautiful to hear! One thing I didn't mention is how fierce the Blackfeet were historically - and some people feel they still are, but I'm not sure about that. All I know is that my friend was afraid to stay in a hotel in Browning (on the rez) but her husband scoffed at her. We all used to be scared to drive on a reservation after dark - whether it was the Flathead, Navajo, Blackfeet - wherever.
Thank you so much for this great review and the stars - as you know I labored over this for quite a few days. I think it's done now but who knows!

Carol

reply by Pantygynt on 28-Jun-2018

We have quite a few poets on site with high percentages of indigenous tribal blood. Aryr spent the first five years of her life in a tepee.

reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

Aryr? Wow! I had a friend in college who was living in a teepee near Missoula but he was just a hippie, not indigenous at all. He kind of smelled too, now that i think of it, lol

Comment from misscookie

Excellent

The artwork you choose to go with your write is beautiful how bless you are to see the wonders God has created
You photo and your words are a perfect match
you captured my attention from the first line to the last thank you for sharing
Cookie

 Comment Written 27-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Jun-2018

Yes, the area up there is so beautiful, truly stunning. Thanks Cookie for the nice review!
Carol

reply by misscookie on 30-Jun-2018

Your very welcome, have a nice day
Cookie

Comment from Alison Hendrix

Excellent

I kind of picture the cartoon princess Pocahontas while I'm reading this. :) Also, I've always felt a connection to nature, to cold and warm and outdoors that I always pretended made me like native American Indians. I Used to pretend to be one when I was young, and told everyone my name was Little foot! Ha ha!! I am proud of my own race and heritage, but this poem reminds me of when I longed with all my heart to be Indian! I always felt that noble race had a special connection to the earth that no one else ever could. Thank you for reminding me of the swirling colorful adventures of my childhood and my deep respect for the spiritual!

 Comment Written 26-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 28-Jun-2018

I love your comments here! I wish I had native american blood too, but I don't - as far as I know. I do love the outdoors so much though, and I agree that Indians seem to have a special connection to the earth. Thanks so much for reading my poem and connecting to the message :))
Carol

Comment from BermyBye50

Exceptional

A masterful free verse fill with personality and character. I can feel your presence in this write as each stanza builds on the previous and your ending is perfect.

Thank you for sharing.

Eugene

 Comment Written 26-Jun-2018

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reply by the author on 26-Jun-2018

Wow, thank you so much for this wonderful review - you've made my day!

Carol