Comment from Margaret Bednar

Excellent

"I see the lithesome hips of rose;
a blackbird poised"

just a gorgeous image and I adore the rusty rail of iron entwined with the old man's hair, the image of your steepled hands, ... this wonderful writing takes us back into your "lone walk" through time. I really don't have anything negative to say about this.

 Comment Written 08-May-2020

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reply by the author on 08-May-2020

Thank you very much for your support and encouragement, Margaret. Your comments are most affirming. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

Hey mate! What a glorious meandering kind of poem bringing memories of the Old Dart perhaps? I believe you are from that part of the world. Well done, lovely layout and picture. No spags. Wish you well in the contest.

 Comment Written 08-May-2020

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reply by the author on 08-May-2020

You're right, Geoffrey. I migrated out here in 1980 when I retired from the RAF. It doesn't seem like forty years ago!

reply by Sankey on 08-May-2020

So definitely NOT a £10 Pom then! I found the Alt number (0163 with ALT depressed) for the Pound sign yippee!!

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Excellent free verse, Tony. I really am fascinated by the artwork too. Ahem ... Some most original phrasing here with the lithesome hips of rose and the Advent candle forcing out a waxing tear. Your tone wistful and filled with so many great images.

I really like this one. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 08-May-2020

Thanks, Gloria. It's always good to get a positive review from someone who knows what they are talking about. Most affirming! All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Exceptional

Tony--this is superb. Startling imagery throughout. Watered sun...rose rimmed eye...waxen tear...Clever wordplay lithesome hips! SandStone archeS Stained by SaintS--delightfully alliterative--I count SSSSSSix; ergo SSSSSSix stars for you. Cheers. LIZ


Congrats on your LONG OVERDUE recognition for your sssssstellar body of work! Cheers. LIZ


Congrats again on your win--if you hadn't got a prize for this I'd have been PISSED!

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 09-May-2020

Such a lovely review, Liz. Six stars as well! My firmament is complete.
All good wishes, Tony

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This is beautifully composed, Tony. I particularly enjoyed the second stanza. All of the poem so well written, but especially those lines. Word choices are elegant and fit your theme. Enjoyed your author's note, too. Marilyn

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 09-May-2020

Thanks, Marilyn. I appreciate your kind words. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Janice Canerdy

Excellent

This is a beautiful, deeply spiritual, and moving poem. The mood is
meditative and the tone, reverent. Past, present, and even future can merge for one walking through a graveyard.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 09-May-2020

Thanks, Janice. I appreciate your kind words and empathetic comments. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from LisaMay

Excellent

The only hiccup I had when reading your poem was to wonder how the bones could be entwined, but upon reading your notes i see the relevance when linked with old man's beard to your grandfather. Your descriptive details of nature and time paint a vivid picture of nostalgia, and perhaps feeling regret for something.

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 09-May-2020

Thanks, LisaMay. I appreciate your kind words. I see what you're getting at with your comment. I've added a semicolon for greater separation between the ideas. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Mastery

Exceptional

What a beautiful poem this is, my friend. From start to finish it carries the reader through beautiful images. I especially liked these lines Tony:

".....and peep between the steeple of my hands
at sandstone arches stained
by saints in glowing robes."

Great writing. : ) Bob

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 09-May-2020

Thanks, Bob, for your kind words and encouragement. I appreciate the sixth star. I hope you're keeping well. Best wishes, Tony

reply by Mastery on 12-May-2020

:) All is good Thanks Tony.

Comment from utilized time

Excellent

I like the words that you have chosen even some I didn't know which gave me a reason to look them up. Very nice free verse poetry. You learn something new every day.
Penitent:
Feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins; contrite.
One who is penitent.
A person performing penance under the direction of a confessor.
Thank you for sharing A+

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 10-May-2020

Thank you very much for your review, utilized time. Appreciated. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

This is such a peaceful, faithful poem with memories of your grandfather and your childhood memories here Tony, I liked 'a rose rimmed eye that blinks' well chosen words for this free-write, much enjoyed, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 07-May-2020

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reply by the author on 10-May-2020

Thank you, Dolly. I appreciate your review and kind words. All good wishes, Tony