Reviews from

The Universal Shrug

An expression of apathy

39 total reviews 
Comment from judiverse
Excellent
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Lovely comments in this. You are certainly taking a positive approach. Today, I think many people are not feeling the love, especially when they see migrants getting favored over veterans and others who are also in need. They resent seeing the homeless creating problems in cities like San Francisco. I think some people don't know where to go if they are in need of help. They are government programs, churches and private charities that are standing by to help. We also have people who feel entitled to stuff without having to do anything. When you had your friend stay with you when he needed a place to live, he in turn helped you. That's a good thing. The "Universal Shrug" is a great expression and one that attracts attention. Excellent presentation, and have a great Easter Sunday. judi

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 30-Mar-2024
    Thank you, Judi, for your compassionate comments and insightful review. It depends on where the veterans worked and whether they deserve better treatment than the immigrants who live where the veterans worked. Do you see what I mean?
    Also, entitlement comes in many forms.
    It depends on whether they deserve preferential treatment or not.
    Nothing comes easy.
    It was nice debating with you.
    Enjoy Easter Sunday.
    Jesse

Comment from Heather Knight
Excellent
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I do understand better now. Your poem, I mean. So Dave is your friend.
And this universal shrug... I also notice anger. People have changed since the pandemic. Not everyone, of course. But you can feel the tension in the air.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
The US should have universal health care, IMO. Have you watched John Q?

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
    Thanks for the great review, Maria.
    I think people blame the pandemic for everything when it might not be the one to blame. That is just my opinion.
    I agree we need universal healthcare.
    Hugs instead of shrugs.
    Take care,
    Jesse
reply by Heather Knight on 24-Mar-2024
    Hugs are much better. Sending some back across the ocean.x
reply by the author on 24-Mar-2024
    Sounds good.
Comment from dragonpoet
Excellent
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Hi Jesse,
I think the existential hug is a good idea. One always feels better after a hug.
It is sad that a lot of people do almost ignore the poor and hungry. All of us need to find a way to help. If it is just giving to a food bank or giving clothes to Good Will or another charity.
I don't remember the hippies of flower power, I was born too late.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great day.
Joan

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 18-Mar-2024
    Giving of ourselves and hugging more are two ways to avoid apathy.
    I will keep writing and staying healthy.
    Enjoy the upcoming week.
    Jesse
reply by dragonpoet on 18-Mar-2024
    You are so right, Jesse. Same to you.
    Joan
Comment from Daylily
Excellent
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Please accept a virtual six for this outstanding posting. It is full of wisdom and shares the belief that people should start treating each other more humanely.

I especially like this line: the good old days when peace and love were in fashion -- What a wonderful happening it would be if we could return to such an existence. There is still hope.
Smiles, Lily


 Comment Written 14-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 15-Mar-2024
    Thanks, Lily, for this uplifting and insightful review. Yes, I agree there is still hope that we might return to an existence where there is peace and love for all.
    Thanks for the virtual six!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Jesse
Comment from Madeleine Mardis
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Jesse, I love this writing (prose would you call it?) We were both born in '54! I so relate to what you said about a universal hug and all! You have an unpolluted standpoint! Maddy

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 14-Mar-2024
    Hello Maddy. Yes, this is called prose. I love your phrase from an unpolluted standpoint!
    Thanks for the wonderfully upbeat review and six stars.
    We were born in the 50s when it was okay to feel the way you wanted.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.
    Jesse
Comment from Teri7
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Jesse, This is a very well written poem that is so full of the truth my friend. We need to show kindness to others and help others when we can. Thank you for sharing this my friend. I am so happy you had help and a place to stay with someone to care for you! Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
    Thanks, Teri, for this thoughtful and caring review. It was I who helped David with a place to stay. I appreciate your kind comments anyway. David is a wonderful person who cares deeply about me and his other friends.
    Thanks for considering me a friend as well.
    Your blessings are well received.
    Jesse
Comment from tfawcus
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A fine piece of writing, Jesse. The message seems to echo the story of The Good Samaritan, and you sum it up perfectly in your closing lines: 'caring hugs instead of shrugs'.

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 12-Mar-2024
    Thanks, Tony, for this insightful review. I've always loved the story of the good Samaritan. Thanks for your positive feedback on my closing lines. It helps to know what works.
    Your six stars are appreciated greatly.
    Jesse
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You did a great job with this, Jesse, and make some very good points about how people are treated and how they should be treated. You are right about there being a lot of apathy about things. People seem like they are in their own world and are oblivious to others. I like your comparison of emotions and meteor showers and the "existential hug."

You do a good job sharing about the way you and David helped each other out because there was a need, and both of you stepped up and your lives were better. That is the way things should be. I'm sorry to hear about the lack of free clinics. That is going to have a major impact on a lot of people.

Lastly, I definitely agree about being kind to people, reaching out when we can, and being proactive. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a good rest of your day and a good upcoming week, as well.


 Comment Written 10-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
    Thanks, Pam, for the encouraging review and six stars. Both are appreciated. You have the hand on the pulse of society and its tendencies toward apathy. Thanks for the positive feedback.
    Enjoy the upcoming week.
    Jesse

reply by Pam (respa) on 10-Mar-2024
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Jesse. I appreciate your reply.
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
    Thanks, Pam. I consider you a good friend.
    Jesse
reply by Pam (respa) on 11-Mar-2024
    You are welcome, Jesse, you are a good friend, too.
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Excellent
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Hi Jesse,
Your timely post is a good one for reminding us of our humanity. Especially since the onset of the pandemic, we've come to hide behind rhetoric and invisibility. Social media has given us a false sense of power without responsibility. Thank you for reminding us to hug rather than shrug.

Hugs,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
    Good morning, Rhonda. I don't believe we've met. Welcome to my world.
    I love your line about social media giving us a false sense of power without responsibility. That is so true!
    Thanks for the insightful review.
    Hugs to you as well.
    Jesse
reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 10-Mar-2024
    I?m not sure if we?ve met before, either, but I have a nephew named Jesse James, aptly named I might add, so when I saw your name, I had to check out your writing. I was not disappointed!
reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
    Glad to meet you.
    Thanks for the insightful review.
    Jesse
reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 10-Mar-2024
    Glad to meet you, too.
Comment from kahpot
Excellent
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Universal hugs" what a wonderful and world changer that would be, there are still so many who are left out in the cold, they/we do not seem to have in voice for this/their situation, even the simplest of greetings seemed to have been lost, like "hello" when you pass someone even if you do not know them, the world is not heading in a very good direction, so very well written****kahpot

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 10-Mar-2024
    Thanks for your powerful commentary on the houseless and the working poor who need services but are left in the cold.
    I appreciate your kind comments.
    Jesse