Reviews from

To Seek Solace in October Skies

Their Legacies Live On...

68 total reviews 
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Diane.

This is a wonder homage not only to your uncle, but to your father and how he chose to allow the Japanese girl to live in your home. That is a remarkable story on it's own.

Robert

 Comment Written 02-Sep-2020


reply by the author on 02-Sep-2020
    Hello Robert,
    Thank you ever so much for your excellent rating and complimentary review.
    I treasure this poem - not because I wrote it, but because it encapsulates what a truly honorable man my father was. I miss him everyday...
    Thank you, friend!
    diane
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 02-Sep-2020
    You're welcome
Comment from artisart4u
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You really did share a story in a poem. It has good rhyme as well as being put together nicely. I read the author's note and learned a lot. You really gave us insight.
This is a good historical war type of poem. According to the bible, love is the greatest and it will give you peace when you and your neighbors can come to some kind of agreement. I salute your relatives for what they have done for America.
Keep writing your military poems.

 Comment Written 22-Nov-2019


reply by the author on 22-Nov-2019
    Hello!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    I am also pleased that my words resonated with you.

    thank you ever so much!
    diane
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

First off, Diane, this is such a heartfelt and personal account of a service man killed in the line of duty during WW2. It is always interesting to hear how survivors were impacted, through mothers, fathers and other family members. It is that personal observation that empowers the write.

Your poetic motion through the write draws your reader in with each successive verse, starting with the seldom speaking, which is so true of the horror of those wars.

The way you have used allusion to make your reader believe they've read words that aren't even there is the "magic" of poetry that you have written in spades.

Just splendid writing here and I wish you great luck with the Contest Committee. The story has been told and most poetically too.

Gloria

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2019


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2019
    Oh, Gloria!
    What a thoughtful and comprehensive review...
    Thank you for your exceptional rating, but more importantly, for understanding what I was attempting to achieve.
    I am ever so pleased that my words resonated with you not only on an emotive level but stylistically as well.

    Thank you again!

    diane
Comment from Shanbreen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is such a wonderful poem. You have such inspiring words:

My uncle's short life was not lived in vain:
Through his death, my father learned to forgive
Through his death, his family loved again
Through his death, I learned how to truly live...

Well done Mrs. KT. I wish many others would read it and learn "It is time that we all heal."

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019

Comment from Hayley Zemontas
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What a beautiful story you have shared with us. It holds such personal meaning to you and within your family circle as a whole, and that only enhances the beauty of the words you have written. Your uncle and father both sound like truly wonderful human beings who so obviously touched your life, and I thank you for sharing their story with us. I love that you link the past with the present now by including how you use your uncles story in order to help raise your children to be compassionate people. Your line 'I tell them it is time that we all heal'. Never have truer words been spoken, for anger and alienation can never resolve anything and we end up losing important relationships because of petty arguments that needn't have happened. Your poem is sophisticated, emotive and a great contender for the competition. Good luck x

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2019
    Hello Hayley!
    Happy New Year!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful and complimentary review.
    So very pleased my words resonated with you.
    Thank you ever so much!

    diane
reply by Hayley Zemontas on 13-Jan-2019
    You?re most welcome Diane x
Comment from Donka Kristeva
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is very moving story, written with depth of emotions, great respect and compassion. A story, indeed, to be told, and you have done it brilliantly ( I don't have a six left but it deserves the highest mark)

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2019
    Hello Donka!
    So very pleased you enjoyed!
    Thank you for your excellent rating and complimentary review!
    I am humbled and honored by your review.

    diane
Comment from ioana.u
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for sharing this! Such a beautifully tragic story with a burst of hope at the end! You have a beautiful style, it just flows so easily!
Good luck in the competition!
Ioana

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2019
    Hello Ioana!
    Thank you for your excellent rating and complimentary review!
    So pleased you enjoyed my offering!

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from Poetofheart2013
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

wow what very touching and emotional poem full feelings
Its heartwarming. I feel how felt reading it it
really touch me. keep up the good work

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019

Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Diane, I think you have a winner here. A great piece of writing on a sad and, to me, familiar subject. I enjoyed the read very much. The following story I am very familiar with -

But my uncle did not outwit fate's clasp
Captured by the Japanese, he survived
For nearly three years amid hatred's grasp
Yet died, chained in "Hell" ship - freedom deprived... That was an unbelievable awful event. Talking of the Japanese - my grandson has recently married a Japanese girl. Until I met her I thought H'mm - then when I did I was charmed. She is lovely. It is true - we have to live and forgive. Good Luck - Dorothy xxx

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2019
    Hello Dorothy!
    I was so hoping that you would stop by!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    So much tragedy. I have the letters my uncle wrote to my father's family during his incarceration at Cabanatuan - compiled by my uncle; I cannot read them without weeping.

    Thank you again...
    diane
Comment from TheStoryMan
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I being a Marine am honored by all patriots who fought for our great nation - your poem is very sentimental and heart touching - it breaks my heart within me that so many young lives perish to protect us here at home - I can't imagine the pain that the captain that sank that ship went through - unbearable - taps is played every night on every base here and abroad to honor those like your uncle who sacrificed their lives for the better of each of us here - I salute you for your great tribute to a fallen hero who deserves the utmost respect and gratitude for your poem in honor of his service - respectfully Ron

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2019