Life of a Nun
A contest entry26 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
This is a very good poem, Rod. I'm Catholic so I know what I've experienced as a kid growing up being taught by nuns. An archaic society, but I give them credit for their fortitude. In those days, nuns were thought to "have a calling." Let's hope they did and weren't coerced into that life. Things have changed since then. Nuns have more freedom and can leave the convent if they change their mind. Congratulations for your win and for focusing on this unfortunate lifestyle ~ unless they choose it for themselves. Marilyn
reply by the author on 06-May-2019
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This is a very good poem, Rod. I'm Catholic so I know what I've experienced as a kid growing up being taught by nuns. An archaic society, but I give them credit for their fortitude. In those days, nuns were thought to "have a calling." Let's hope they did and weren't coerced into that life. Things have changed since then. Nuns have more freedom and can leave the convent if they change their mind. Congratulations for your win and for focusing on this unfortunate lifestyle ~ unless they choose it for themselves. Marilyn
Comment Written 06-May-2019
reply by the author on 06-May-2019
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Thank you for your very kind praise of LIFE OF A NUN, Marilyn. It was fun to climb into Sister Claire?s shoes for awhile. Rod
Comment from JudyE
This is very impressive. I'm sure many nuns are frustrated and sad by their circumstances although not perhaps so much nowadays. My sister-in-law was a nun but seemed very content with her lot. However, she saw it as her vocation. She was never forced into it.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2019
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This is very impressive. I'm sure many nuns are frustrated and sad by their circumstances although not perhaps so much nowadays. My sister-in-law was a nun but seemed very content with her lot. However, she saw it as her vocation. She was never forced into it.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2019
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Thank you so much for sharing LIFE OF A NUN, Judy, and your very kind praise. I grew up at a time when nuns taught in parochial schools and enjoyed their vocation. I also truly appreciate those six bright stars. Rod
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My husband did all his schooling at the local convent. He was a 'convent dog'. I was a 'state school dog' but learnt piano from the nuns. :)
Comment from harmony13
The author's words are descriptive, creative and thought
provoking. The reader pondered on the words of this
poem and found them sad. The artwork compliments the
theme and words of this poem.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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The author's words are descriptive, creative and thought
provoking. The reader pondered on the words of this
poem and found them sad. The artwork compliments the
theme and words of this poem.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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I am delighted you enjoyed LIFE OF A NUN and also found it thought-provoking. Many thanks for sharing. Rod
Comment from Blue Hendrix
Great flow with this piece. The rhymes were good as well. this was a very well written piece with wonderful imagery and I thought you did an amazing job.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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Great flow with this piece. The rhymes were good as well. this was a very well written piece with wonderful imagery and I thought you did an amazing job.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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I am truly flattered by your response to LIFE OF A NUN. Thank you for sharing. Rod
Comment from pome lover
Rod, that is really good.
I've often wondered if such feelings were felt and kept hidden.
Of course, they are free to leave, I know, but for some, where would they go? and how would they support themselves? I also wonder about young men in the priesthood.
Do they believe that their strict rule against marriage for nuns and priests is required by God? Episcopal ministers, who, as clergy are the most similar, I believe, are good messengers of God, while leading happy, married lives - more knowledgeable and understanding of the ups and downs in their parishioners lives due to their own experiences. But enough of that.
Your poem is beautifully and poignantly written, certainly eliciting food for thought and compassion for the girl. (at least it did, in me - obviously).
Nicely done.
Katharine - pome lover
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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Rod, that is really good.
I've often wondered if such feelings were felt and kept hidden.
Of course, they are free to leave, I know, but for some, where would they go? and how would they support themselves? I also wonder about young men in the priesthood.
Do they believe that their strict rule against marriage for nuns and priests is required by God? Episcopal ministers, who, as clergy are the most similar, I believe, are good messengers of God, while leading happy, married lives - more knowledgeable and understanding of the ups and downs in their parishioners lives due to their own experiences. But enough of that.
Your poem is beautifully and poignantly written, certainly eliciting food for thought and compassion for the girl. (at least it did, in me - obviously).
Nicely done.
Katharine - pome lover
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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Thank you for your wonderful praise of LIFE OF A NUN, Katharine, and your comments. You make a strong argument that Episcopalian ministers are better able to help their parishioners than their Catholic counterparts because of their family backgrounds. And I truly appreciate that six-star bonus. Rod
Comment from Lance S. Loria
A nun's life is an interesting choice for this contest. You've done a nice job following the writing prompt. I liked the rhyming too. No edits or adjustments necessary.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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A nun's life is an interesting choice for this contest. You've done a nice job following the writing prompt. I liked the rhyming too. No edits or adjustments necessary.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2019
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Thank you, Lance, for sharing LIFE OF A NUN. I am very pleased you like it. Rod
Comment from Louise Michelle
I really enjoyed reading this. It's poignant and addresses the topic with honesty. Many nuns and priests chose their professions because of their parents.
I think this was more true a couple decades ago. Fortunately, people now feel they have more freedom to choose and be true to themselves. Very nicely written! Hugs, Lou
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2019
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I really enjoyed reading this. It's poignant and addresses the topic with honesty. Many nuns and priests chose their professions because of their parents.
I think this was more true a couple decades ago. Fortunately, people now feel they have more freedom to choose and be true to themselves. Very nicely written! Hugs, Lou
Comment Written 26-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2019
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Thank you for sharing LIFE OF A NUN, Lou. I am delighted you enjoyed the poem and found it true-to-life. Yes, I think you would most likely meet Sister Claire a couple decades ago than today. Rod
Comment from susand3022
Hi Author, I really love the story in your poem. It flows really well and the story in it is so compelling to read. The only thing I would suggest is that you re-visit the 5th stanza. You have rhymed 'below' with 'enjoy.' All of the other rhymes in your poem are spot on and this one doesn't even really slant well and kind of throws off the whole thing.
You did an amazing job with the story. I never saw the ending coming, that she would be weeping for the lost chances of her life. I sit and wonder now, why she didn't just leave?
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2019
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Hi Author, I really love the story in your poem. It flows really well and the story in it is so compelling to read. The only thing I would suggest is that you re-visit the 5th stanza. You have rhymed 'below' with 'enjoy.' All of the other rhymes in your poem are spot on and this one doesn't even really slant well and kind of throws off the whole thing.
You did an amazing job with the story. I never saw the ending coming, that she would be weeping for the lost chances of her life. I sit and wonder now, why she didn't just leave?
Comment Written 26-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2019
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Thank you, Susan, for your high praise of LIFE OF A NUN. And for your very close reading. I must have read this poem a hundred times and never HEARD or saw the rhyme was off in stanza five. Now I won?t feel happy till I?ve fixed it. Rod
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Hi Susan. I told you that flaw would nag me. I fixed it. See if you like that stanza better. Rod
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So much better Rod! I hate when I get a line that just sticks in my craw and I can't get past it! LOL
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Thank you, Susan, for rereading my poem and responding. I am glad you think it?s so much better. I do, too. Rod
Comment from WryWriter
Good rhyming scheme and flow in this poem. Artwork choice goes well with theme. A complete story given in this short poem. Great job!
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2019
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Good rhyming scheme and flow in this poem. Artwork choice goes well with theme. A complete story given in this short poem. Great job!
Comment Written 25-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2019
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Thank you, WryWriter, for your kind response to my narrative poem.
Comment from lyenochka
Such a thoughtful poem which brings us into the possible life of a nun. You move us for the life she has missed. I have a friend who is a nun and she doesn't seem to miss much of the world outside but then she chose to become a nun in her 30's.
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2019
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Such a thoughtful poem which brings us into the possible life of a nun. You move us for the life she has missed. I have a friend who is a nun and she doesn't seem to miss much of the world outside but then she chose to become a nun in her 30's.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2019
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Thank you so much, lyenochka, for sharing my poem. I think nuns who choose to enter a convent are much happier than those like a Sister Claire.
