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Midnight Echoes

Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Midnight Echoes"
A Wreath of Sicilian Sonnets

61 total reviews 
Comment from Artasylum
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hey,
I read this four times and I will admit that this is a formidable poem to read. I can't say whether ever verse is perfect... but I can tell you that with every read I was able to glean more meaning. yours, diana

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 18-May-2018
    Thanks for taking the time, Diana. It?s a complex form and probably rather too long for most tastes. I enjoyed the challenge of it though.
Comment from friartuck
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A wonderful work! I will read and re-read this again. The sonnet is my favorite form, but I'd never read, nor had I heard of a Wreath of Sonnets until now, and I want to thank you for introducing me to it!
And you've captured one of my favorite legends - the Selkies - as an added bonus!
Oh yes - a few words new to me as well - ruth and sith to be precise. Just goes to show we're never too old to learn!
Thank you for that!

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 23-May-2018
    Thanks for your kind words and six stars, Friartuck. It was an intricate undertaking and by the halfway stage I was certainly beginning to falter. The contents of the trash bin were accumulating fast!
    I have made a few minor changes in hindsight, after considering some of the advice of other reviewers.
    I've been reading a book of Selkie stories recently, which influenced the choice of subject. They are fascinating folklore.
    Best wishes, Tony
Comment from ameen786
Excellent
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Wow! And I say again, wow! My friend, I thank you for sharing this marathon of sonnets; each penned so beautifully with meaningful verses in perfect rhyming; my regrets for not having a six; perfect 10! Good luck!

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 21-May-2018
    Very many thanks, Ameen, for taking the time to read this lengthy sequence. I appreciate your kind response and suggestion of six-worthiness. All the best, Tony
Comment from johnwilson
Excellent
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This is one of the most incredible poems I've ever read, and I'm well-read. You set the bar so high here, and I was a bit daunting because of the height. You succeeded so well in your warning for mankind's fate and folly. I predict this will be the winner of the contest. I should go on TV and predict the end of the world, like so many others. I will simply bow, and say thank you for a wondrous ride. Also, thank you for the complete author notes. When do you find the time?

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 23-May-2018
    Thanks for your kind words, Clem. It was an intricate undertaking and by the halfway stage I was certainly beginning to falter. The contents of the trash bin were accumulating fast! It took me several weeks, off and on.
    I have now made a few minor changes in hindsight, after considering some of the advice of other reviewers.
    Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Gert sherwood
Excellent
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Hello tfawcus
I can see why you are listed with a Seal of Quality .I read each one of your sonnets and was amazed with the ease you had writing each one
Thank you for your authors note they are well worth reading.
Gert

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 21-May-2018
    Very many thanks, Gert, for taking the time to read this lengthy sequence. I appreciate your kind response. All the best, Tony
reply by Gert sherwood on 21-May-2018
    You are welcome Tony
    Gert
Comment from aanneee
Excellent
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This is an amazing write and slightly above my old head I must admit but that is my fault and not yours by any ways or means. I read it and totally loved 15. I am 78 now and even as a child an onward didn't always understand everything I read.

Thrilled to have read such a work of excellence and I thank you...Dinah

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 19-May-2018
    Many thanks, Dinah. By about the halfway stage I was beginning to think it might have been a bit above my head too! I had to dip into Wikipedia a few times to check facts and connections.I appreciate your kind words. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from meeshu
Excellent
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this was quite an undertaking, Tony. I really love your obscure references and the way you dangle your message throughout the poem(s). each sonnet is stand alone or fits in the wreath........meeshu

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 19-May-2018
    Thanks, Meeshu. I appreciate your comments. This one took me quite a while and explains why I haven't been posting or reviewing much recently. Delighted that you found it interesting and reasonably cohesive. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Harry Smith
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is an exceptionally well written poem that is full of imagery and emotions. The rhyming is just prefect and flows through each sonnet. The reader found this poem breath taking as he read it through several times. I wonder if I could ever write like this. Outstanding job Poet!

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 18-May-2018
    I'm delighted that you enjoyed this poem, Harry. Thank you very much, both for your affirming comments and for the six-star award. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Air Spirit
Excellent
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Your poem is stunning and impressive... The form of the poem is so complicated, I have to give you praise for the great job you did... your descriptive words are infused with so much intent, purpose and meaning... your verbiage is formal and antiquated, but that is a big part of the appeal of the poem to me.. it is as if this is a poem of 'yesteryear.' My favorite sonnet is "...The fading memories we choose to hold
are lost, unless we pause to make them known.
In days to come, such stories should be told
to help our future generations own
their rightful worth, the coinage of gold
that gives them context when they feel alone.
So cultivate and nurture tales of old,
and then our seed will thrive, become well grown..." no matter who you are and where you've come from, there is lessons to be learned and passed on to those who are younger... the verbal art of storytelling is a lost art that is one that I wish were revived.. Great poem!

 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 18-May-2018
    Very many thanks, Air Spirit, for your kind comments about this lengthy sequence of poems. I doubt they'll be to everyone's taste, but I enjoyed the challenge of writing them and am delighted that you found them of interest. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from zero54
Average
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i found it too long and hard to understand its meaning. It was I guess too deep for me. I do think it could be made into a great writing if it was not so long. The greatness was there but to much for this reader. I feel the same about Stephen King he writes alot of words sells alot of books but his books don't interest me

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 Comment Written 18-May-2018


reply by the author on 18-May-2018
    Thanks for stopping by, Zero. The wreath of sonnets is a specific form requiring 15 interlinked sonnets, and so it cannot be shorter. I'm sorry to hear that it was too much for you! Fortunately you will find many shorter poems on this site for your enjoyment. Best wishes, Tony