To Be Little or Big?
5-7-5-7-7 (Striving for excellence? Or domination.)23 total reviews
Comment from amada
Oh wow, this is so good. You tell tall truths in a very little small place...Sorry for the punk here. You wrote a very good tanks in a very peculiar aspect of our society these days. Bravo!
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2020
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Oh wow, this is so good. You tell tall truths in a very little small place...Sorry for the punk here. You wrote a very good tanks in a very peculiar aspect of our society these days. Bravo!
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2020
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Thank you so much for your positive review.
Comment from CrystieCookie999
What a clever way to use 'be big' and 'belittle' as near opposites but using the meaning of belittle as well. It is the kind of poem that would get younger readers in say, middle school or even earlier, thinking about what words can mean from more than one point of view.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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What a clever way to use 'be big' and 'belittle' as near opposites but using the meaning of belittle as well. It is the kind of poem that would get younger readers in say, middle school or even earlier, thinking about what words can mean from more than one point of view.
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Thanks for your comments. You see this poem through the eyes of a born teacher. I was quite young when i became fascinated with how words could be put together to mean different things... as an example, my father showed me 'keep up' and 'upkeep'.
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Unfortunately I am not able to teach anywhere yet. I am starting to think the master's degree will just be a back-up plan.
Comment from lyenochka
You have such clever use of word play. I loved "big can belittle" which sounds like "big can be little" but in the "hands of a small mind" the "bigness" that could be used for good can cause so much harm. Hoping you do well in the contest!
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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You have such clever use of word play. I loved "big can belittle" which sounds like "big can be little" but in the "hands of a small mind" the "bigness" that could be used for good can cause so much harm. Hoping you do well in the contest!
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Thanks for your kind words, and also for the generosity of your pump donation.
Comment from Pantygynt
I rather like this tanka. The key line in a tanka is Line 3. It has a dual purpose, first to act like like a satori line of a haiku and second to act as the first line of the last three. This does actually manage that so well done.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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I rather like this tanka. The key line in a tanka is Line 3. It has a dual purpose, first to act like like a satori line of a haiku and second to act as the first line of the last three. This does actually manage that so well done.
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Thanks for your comments... you reinforce what I set out to do.
Comment from poetwatch
Human nature, LisaMay, has a tendency to sway like a branch of a tree not knowing what to do and going every which way. The little people become big with the help of friends. Once they are big they become arrogant and forget their friends because of their small minds. This is a good entry for the Tanka Poetry Contest.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Human nature, LisaMay, has a tendency to sway like a branch of a tree not knowing what to do and going every which way. The little people become big with the help of friends. Once they are big they become arrogant and forget their friends because of their small minds. This is a good entry for the Tanka Poetry Contest.
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Some human 'tree branches' whip back and forth at an alarming rate, beating others. It's interesting that you should use the word 'arrogant'. Initially, I was going to use 'arrogance' in my poem instead of 'bullying'.
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
These are poignant words and bullying is very real and takes much understanding but the bully always feels insecure and in awe of the person they bully, this is a good point to remember, a poignant write Lisa, much enjoyed, the irony of words here, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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These are poignant words and bullying is very real and takes much understanding but the bully always feels insecure and in awe of the person they bully, this is a good point to remember, a poignant write Lisa, much enjoyed, the irony of words here, love Dolly x
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Thanks for your comments here, Dolly. I was thinking of particular political figures also when I wrote this... how power corrupts some people into arrogance and they sneeringly put down opponents.
Comment from Louise Michelle
I don't know why but I thought of the scene from 'Alice in Wonderland' where things are not as they seem. Anyway, there's a terrific message in this well constructed poem. Hugs, Lou
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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I don't know why but I thought of the scene from 'Alice in Wonderland' where things are not as they seem. Anyway, there's a terrific message in this well constructed poem. Hugs, Lou
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Looking through the wrong end of a telescope can do that!
Thanks for your review comments, Lou.
Comment from oliver818
This is a really clever poem, I enjoyed reading it a lot. Not only is it well -written and fun, it makes an important point- bullying is unacceptable. Thanks for sharing this and have yourself a really great day
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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This is a really clever poem, I enjoyed reading it a lot. Not only is it well -written and fun, it makes an important point- bullying is unacceptable. Thanks for sharing this and have yourself a really great day
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Thanks for your supportive review. I appreciate your words.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Good Morning, Lisa!
Wise words, my friend!
And I have been on the receiving end of both situations!
I appreciate that your Tanka is "outside the box"= creative and fresh.
I might omit any punctuation though... just because your words flow well and with understanding without punctuation.
Best Wishes!
diane
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Good Morning, Lisa!
Wise words, my friend!
And I have been on the receiving end of both situations!
I appreciate that your Tanka is "outside the box"= creative and fresh.
I might omit any punctuation though... just because your words flow well and with understanding without punctuation.
Best Wishes!
diane
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Hello! Thanks for your review.
I put the punctuation in because I thought without it might look like these 2 lines run on:
when ambition?s used wisely
big can belittle
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You are absolutely correct!
Best wishes!
Diane
Comment from Beverly A McBride
Love this poem. The art definitely illustrates well! Power is, as we are told, a pretty heady gift. Would that everyone given the gift of power and privilege used it to uplift. I liked the line "big can belittle." Good job. Good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Love this poem. The art definitely illustrates well! Power is, as we are told, a pretty heady gift. Would that everyone given the gift of power and privilege used it to uplift. I liked the line "big can belittle." Good job. Good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 27-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2020
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Hello! Thanks for reviewing this and for your positive comments.
