Comment from Paul McFarland

Excellent

Just found this one, Jim. Boy, you have hit the nail on the head with this poem. I've got you by a few years, so I'm a little farther down the road with the memory problem. Sometimes I can't remember the names of my neighbors - let alone the characters in a book.

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2023

I hear you. My wife and I kid each other about it a lot because we're both in the same boat with memory issues. She actually gave me the idea for this poem

Comment from lancellot

Exceptional

I missed this one on the first go around. Reading this, I found myself nodding and smiling. I agree. Keep the number of characters low and their names different. No extra confusion needed. I'm too old for a football team.

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023

Thanks so much for the great review and all the stars. Much appreciated. I'm the usual inspiration for my poems, and this once certainly described me too.

reply by lancellot on 04-Feb-2023

Congrats on the nomination. Those aren't easy to come by. Tom, admitted they are chosen by his staff.

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2023

Thanks very much. So, do they read everything posted, or only the ones that have a certain number of good reviews before they consider it? If the former, they must have a big staff.

Speaking of "big staffs," ... ah, never mind!

reply by lancellot on 04-Feb-2023

I don't know. Tom wouldn't disclose the selection process. I doubt they read every non-contest posting. I think they have a program. I do know, receiving a three star or below review eliminates you from all site contests.

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

Since I don't know the first thing about poetry, I read very little. But whenever I'm about to post a story outside my comfort zone, I turn to reading poetry for inspiration. And then, I stumble across your poem that makes me smile, and lets me know there are others, I've never met, who know me well. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 04-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Ah, a kindred spirit. Thanks for the good review, Ric.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Exceptional

I love this (and agree with this old man's beef!). Is this considered a rhyming free verse?

The image, the background color, the font, the dialect, the grouchy old man attitude - just a super read!

Thanks for posting something different and fun to read.

Pam

 Comment Written 04-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Thanks so much for all those stars and your very kind review, Pam! It's nice to know I'm not alone with this beef.

Comment from Karyn2

Excellent

I'm of an age where memory shouldn't be an issue but I so resonate to your poem!
Don't get me started if a writer starts to name the dogs, cats, horses and chickens too, very quickly the horse it the one that committed the murder and suddenly I'm sure Rupert the rooster has started a passionate love affair with Jemima! I had to laugh Jim as I am with you. Unless there is sufficient description and details that sufficiently describe the character entering the scene!
A fun poem, fun rhyme and super image!

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Ha-ha, that's great. You're a kindred spirit! Thanks so much for the good review, Karyn.

Comment from zanya

Exceptional

I'm laughing out loud here - this poem is simply a delight and it makes an excellent point to booth - too many characters converge - just love the language - enhances the tapestry

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and all those stars. Much appreciated.

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

You should've entered this in the rant contest, Jim. I
enjoyed reading it. You did well in expressing your
thoughts and feelings. However, I would never name
a character Chucky--based on that movie character.
Your lines read well, the rhymes were good, and your
message was clear. The picture was a great addition,
too.
Thanks for sharing, Jan

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Huh. I never thought about the movie character! I've got a brother named Chuck, and we used to call him Chucky as kids. Thanks for the great review, Jan.

Comment from Mary Shifman

Exceptional

This is a terrific poem. I've been accused of having too many characters in one of my novels by one of my good friends. I had to resort to a listing just for that purpose. I have more trouble with the made up names in the fantasy novels that don't sound like any recognizable language. Loved this one!

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Thank you so much, Mary, for your very kind review and for all those stars. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this beef.

reply by Mary Shifman on 04-Jan-2023

You are very welcome.

Comment from Sugarray77

Exceptional

This is just sooo cute, Jim. I loved the rollicking tone, meter, rhymes and polish that you added with you adept and talented writing. So fun and enjoyable to read this one!!

Melissa

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2023

Thank you, Melissa, for the wonderful review and for all the stars. Much appreciated!

Comment from Richard Montfort Cary

Exceptional

Jim,
This is not only funny and beautifully written, with excellent rhymes and meter to boot, but also right on true: us old guys can't keep a multitude of characters straight! Trying reading Dostoyevsky....
Great job.
Richard

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2023

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reply by the author on 03-Jan-2023

Thanks, Richard, for all those stars! One of the big reasons I like e-books now--the search function.

reply by Richard Montfort Cary on 03-Jan-2023

Jim,
Ah so.... and, for me, I cannot use the electronic books-- they just don't feel like reading a book.... I really relish turning the paper pages and pressing the turned page flatter for the next pair of pages.... All is good!
Richard