Reviews from

Skagway's Sacred Stream

Salmon run

11 total reviews 
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Congratulations on your win for this contest and I read your poem and it is very well deserved. A fine story of the salmon and their fight to swim upstream and reap the rewards. Wonderful alliteration throughout, I wish I had a six left for you, a joy to read, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 01-Sep-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you Dolly, this poem was certainly a challenge for me. I was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out and even more surprised when it won first place.

    The images just flowed.

    John xo
Comment from JSD
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I thought I'd reviewed it. I certainly voted for it and I was very glad you won. I have no idea where this is. It sounds Scottish, but I guess it could be anywhere. But your ability to use alliteration on every word without any awkwardness is laudable. And the choice of language wonderful. Well done.

 Comment Written 01-Sep-2023


reply by the author on 25-Oct-2023
    Thanks, John, for the review and the vote too.
    To answer your question the setting is in Skagway Alaska. Well truth be told it could have been anywhere but I chose Skagway because it began with 's' to support the alliteration scheme.
    John
Comment from Michele Harber
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow! You somehow managed to combine a lesson on the geography of Skagway's sacred silver stream with a lesson on the sexual practices of salmon--all with unerring "S" alliteration. Suffice it to say I'm extremely impressed, and you definitely deserve your well-earned win. Congratulations!

 Comment Written 01-Sep-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you so much Michele.

    Sorry I took so long to answer.

    I really appreciate your wonderful review. I won't pretend I found it easy, it was a real challenge but I enjoyed the process. I certainly never expected to win but am most grateful for that outcome.

    John

reply by Michele Harber on 21-Jan-2024
    No problem about the delay. You were probably out celebrating your victory (lol).

    I'm not surprised writing the poem was a challenge, but you did an exemplary job.
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Congratulations on your contest win, well deserving.

This is a stunning verse that drew me in from the first alliteration until the last.

"Stolen sapphires," is an incredible image creating texture to your writing.

Well done!
Thank you for this offering.

 Comment Written 01-Sep-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you KL, it's taken me while to reply but believe me your kind and and generous review meant a lot.

    John
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is an excellent poem. I enjoyed reading it. Your entire presentation is good. You use descriptive words that draw in a reader and with imagery too.

Best wishes!

Alexandra


 Comment Written 01-Sep-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you Alexandra, your generous comments were much appreciated. Sorry the delay in expressing my thanks.

    John
Comment from Paul Manton
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello John. Well I've reviewed a lot of these now, and this is easily my favorite. I love 'stolen sapphires, seldom seen' and 'shimmering, sharpened stones' - as the onomatopoeia of your words swims through my laptop and brain.

Yes, the sacred salmon do swarm in Skagway as you have so brilliantly portrayed them - there for a season only before they perish, but having first completed their task for posterity. It is an extraordinary event, and you have captured it perfectly.
Thank you, John. Good luck in the competition.
Paul

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you Paul, Your review was most generous and greatly appreciated. Sorry about the long wait for a reply.

    John
reply by Paul Manton on 23-Feb-2024
    I am long gone, in fact. Glad to make a positive contribution.
    Paul
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

There were many fine examples of that of the difficult method devices that set poetry apart from its poetic cousins. This is the contest winner, and justifiably so, it's hard to slide in another beginning letter, well done, congratulations, dear friend, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you so much Roy for your generous comments. I am sorry for the late reply.

    John
reply by royowen on 21-Jan-2024
    Good job
Comment from Eleri
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I am not surprised that this poem won the alliteration contest - it is amazing. How you managed to find so many S words and then make sense of them is beyond me - well done
Eleri

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Eleri, I was so pleased to win what was a difficult challenge but I was especially grateful to read your heartwarming review.

    John
Comment from Mintybee
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was a stunning example of alliteration. You told a complete story with phrases and sentences that made sense and didn't feel overly strained to fit the alliteration requirement. The description was gorgeous, "Stolen sapphires, seldom seen, splash silently serene." I will be voting for this one. Your poem is amazing.
Mintybee

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you Minty. Your vote helped win this for me and was much appreciated. Though your wonderful review made me feel like a winner no matter what way the vote might have swung

    John
reply by Mintybee on 21-Jan-2024
    Congrats, and you're welcome.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a difficult brief but I think you achieved it excellently, telling your story with impressive imagery and also, skilfully, adding poignancy in the salmon's ultimate demise. The last three lines are superb and very memorable. Well done! I can see a huge amount of work gone into this and it shines through. Good luck! Debbie

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 29-Aug-2023


reply by the author on 21-Jan-2024
    Thank you Debbie, this competition was quite a challenge alright. I really appreciate your wonderful positive comments. Really made me up even before I discovered my entry actually was the winner

    John
reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 21-Jan-2024
    Congrats John! Well deserved!