Comment from artisart4u

Excellent

You have the rhyme and the syllables for this minute poem.
Maybe the person misses their freedom and is yearning to be back outside among the stars.
I like your picture, font, and colors.
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks for th positive review.

Always remember with my poems there is generally something hiding beneath the surface. Here it is that you can look at this as not being about a literal prison, but instead as the kind of imprisonment that people inflict on themselves.

Steve

reply by artisart4u on 30-Jan-2025

I know when you are sick, you long to be normal, not fenced in.

Comment from Boogienights

Excellent

This is beautiful. I've read a few of these minute poems, with yours being the best I've read so far. It's lovely and hopeful, thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks, Boogie.
I think I've written about this before, how hope is kept alive by small gestures.

Steve

Comment from Neonewman

Excellent

I offer you a standing ovation for this sensational, minute poem. I can see this winning the contest, Steve. I loved the style and structure of this piece, my friend. Everything about this is beautiful.

I enjoy my freedom too much to end up behind bars. However, there are prisons in our minds that sometimes cause us to stray away from others.
Well done, my friend.
God bless,
Steve

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Steve, thanks for the great review (and the standing ovation!)

And yes, the 'prison of the mind' is central to understanding where I was going with this.

Steve

reply by Neonewman on 30-Jan-2025

Well deserved, my friend.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Exceptional

I don't know one form from another but it seems to have sixty syllables and thus I conclude is why it is called a minute or is it mine-Ute poem
I counted yours - sixty exactly
As for the message it tolls true
Well done

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks, Tom, for the kind words and the extra star.

Steve

Comment from tfawcus

Exceptional

A splendid Minute, well worth a minute of my time to read and the rest of the morning to mull over its wisdom and truth. I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about the sanctity of the form. I don't think this dumbing down in the rules benefits aspiring members.

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks as always, Tony.
I trolled through my portfolio last night and checked out all the Minute Poems - about 20. I found one where I apologised in the notes for breaking the meter deliberately to emphasise something in the climax! All the rest went tick-tock, though!

Steve

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

A word, a smile, a proffered hand can certainly free us from the walls we put up around us when our days ae dark, I know I do. I love this Minute poem Steve, beautifully written and good luck in the contest.
cheers
valda

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks, Valda, you've gone right to the heart of this.

Steve

Comment from Alexandra Trovato

Excellent

I hear you as I am an artist before a syllable counter. This poem and presentation is well written, authentic, and thought provoking. The image adds to support your words.

Best wishes,

Alex

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks, Alex. Glad you enjoyed.

Steve

reply by Alexandra Trovato on 30-Jan-2025

Yes. You're welcome, Steve!

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Oh yes, I think freedom is not only relative, but it is also in the mind of the host as to how he views freedom. To some it is the ability to understand what freedom actually is, to me it is to be free of guilt, for that, there needs to be a source for that freedom. The ability to bury the past, to believe that freedom is borne on the wings of dawn. For without that, freedom is impossible. Well done, great post Steve, and excellent Minute poem, good luck, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thank you, Roy. Yo nailed it with your first comment. I think I mentioned to another reviewer the 'prison of the mind.'

Steve

Comment from Y. M. Roger

Exceptional

Here, here!! A minute is called a minute for a reason and that meter is SO VERY NECESSARY to give it the 'waterfall rhythm' necessary for the beauty! ;)
And speaking of beauty... what a BEAUTIFUL use of the form to paint the emotions and the 'thought hinderances' of the jail cell. Of course, we realize that is the purpose of the design, but it doesn't change the mindset of the one inside... Well done, sir, and thanx for sharing your pen! ;) Good Luck! ;)

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Thanks so much for the enthusiastic review and for so wholeheartedly agreeing with my programming note!

Steve

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

I agree that the Minute Poem should include meter! Thank you for showing us how it's done. I also love the focus on outside of ourselves, whether we're in a physical prison or the mental prison of a depression. I think this will do well in the contest!

 Comment Written 29-Jan-2025

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reply by the author on 30-Jan-2025

Helen, thanks for the kind words and the clear understanding of what I was trying to say in my poem.

Steve