Reviews from

Beneath the Tranquil Sheen

Be a swan.

86 total reviews 
Comment from Mary Vigasin
Excellent
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Jessica, congratulations on your win. A strong message of inspiration and beauty. I recently discovered a pond near my house. We are lucky enough to have a mated pair. This year for the first time, they produced a cygnet.
He swims behind his mom; we can watch them about 10 feet away when they are on shore. Yesterday, I was concerned as I did not see the cygnet, and I know they already lost one. Then the mom opened her wings, and the baby jumped off her back.
Beautiful creatures.
Best wishes,
Mary

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Mary, that is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that with me! They?re fascinating. I would also have to agree, they are such beautiful creatures.
    Thank you! Xoxo
    Jessica
Comment from Eternal Muse
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Jessica, this poem is absolutely gorgeous, and I congratulate you on a well deserved win.

Great picture - you have a talent for photography. Reminds me of Long Island in NY where I used to live.

Your description of the swan is stunning. I always admired these graceful, elegant birds.

A fantastic read, thank you

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much, I am so honored by your words!! Xoxox
    Jessica
Comment from GinaC
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow! I'm in love with this poem! This is so classic, so beautiful, so vivid, and so inspirational. You did an amazing job; I love the word choices and the message! Thank you for sharing!

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much!
Comment from Jasmine Girl
Excellent
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Wow. She or he really lost a spouse. I hear that ducks mate for life. I'm not sure about swans. There is a lot of swans around. Recently I saw 20 trumpet swans calling at me non-stop and it was Moher's Day. I also took a picture of black swans in Madrid, Spain.

Well done.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much!
Comment from Heather lyn Tobias
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Beautiful! You expressed that all so well. It was a great picture as well that gave you the chance to express that beautiful poem, Thank you and congratulations

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023

    Thank you so much Heather that means the world to me!
reply by Heather lyn Tobias on 16-Jun-2023
    You're welcome.
Comment from Michele Harber
Excellent
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What a lovely photo, poem and background story. My husband and I were married at The Swan Club, and their namesakes swam in ponds on their premises, so swans are special to my husband and me as well.

Congratulations on your well-deserved contest win!

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much, Michele! That sounds absolutely gorgeous. They truly are beautiful creatures.
    Xo
    Jessica
reply by Michele Harber on 14-Jun-2023
    Aren't they? And I cannot imagine a lovelier place to have gotten married. Our wedding photos were amazing.
Comment from JSD
Excellent
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Aww. Beautiful ides expressed here. You've really delved into the possibilities of your lovely picture and said so much about this wonderful water-bird. Thank you so much and well done. John

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback.
    Xo
    Jessica
Comment from Contests

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A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 13-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2023
    Thank you, thank you!:)
Comment from Mario PIERRE
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Beautiful poem. I read this with much joy. You have an eye for details, and your descriptions are so spot on. I felt all along the struggle and happiness and strength of the swan. I thought that the verse: some things are not as they appear, Some surfaces hide battles... is extremely well said.
Great job!!

CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR SO DESERVING WIN, JESSICA!!!!

 Comment Written 11-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much, Mario! Truly appreciate your kind words and awesome review!
    Xo
    Jessica
Comment from CrystieCookie999
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, but I liked reading this poem. It has simple vocabulary, but the words are woven together well.
Some great lines:

And there, upon her rightful throne,
A swan swims soft and slow,
Where in her home, she lives alone,
This swan, I've come to know

I watch her gentle, graceful glide,
With burdens not revealed,
Her regal ruse still seems to hide
A loneliness concealed.

What's covered up by beauty's gift?
Has calmness killed her fight?
Do troubles drown beneath her drift?
Will she again take flight?

A natural need to mate for life,
I fear her mate's passed on.
She glides along this pond in strife,
A lovely lonely swan.

But take no pity on this queen,
Her strength she cannot mask,
Beneath the water's tranquil sheen,
She's surging with a task.

The stillness in her wandering,
As ripples rise, I wonder,
Her poise provokes a pondering
Of fervent efforts under.

Definitely worth re-reading.

 Comment Written 11-Jun-2023


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2023
    Thank you so much! That means a lot!!
    Xo
    Jessica