Reviews from

Clustered Lilacs

The truth about lilacs across America's heartland

49 total reviews 
Comment from padumachitta
Excellent
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hello. I thought the feel of this was like a history story, a wee gem of a lesson.
The images were clear and the poem as a whole carried the theme well.
I never knew that about lilacs.

 Comment Written 28-Jan-2020

Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hmmm, I do love lilacs , especially when the whole neighbourhood scents in the late spring every year. Pity they didn't last longer.

On going into your poem I didn't know they were used to mask bad smells, but that makes sense, or mark graves.

Oh well this is a divine poem, Diane. It only stands to reason the lilac bushes would have such wide use.

Very much enjoyed your poem and learning some of the history surrounding its lilac blooms.

Great job!

Gloria

 Comment Written 28-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 29-Jan-2020
    Hello Gloria!
    I always knew about the lilacs being planted to mask the odors from the outhouses, but it wasn't until I researched did I discover that lilacs were used to shelter the graves of miscarried or stillborn infants. But how moving...
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from Ricky1024
Excellent
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"Clustered Lilacs"
Was well written and rich in Theme and Imagery.
It read well and Flowed well with no Grammar Issues.
...
Adjective and Objective Contents were both Excellent and Exceptional while Descriptive Measures aligned Perfectly!
Thanks,
Doctor Ricky 1024

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from Therese Caron
Excellent
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What a beautiful poem about lilacs. I think they're heavenly to smell, and stunning when in a vase in the center of the table. My husband used to bring me a huge bouquet of them every year as soon as they were in bloom. We separated after 18 yrs, and he still brought me a bunch every year. The real history in your poem is amazing. I never knew any of that. Very lovely and sad about the babies, and funny about the outhouses. Very well researched and beautifully written.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from lyenochka
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Wow! Thanks for sharing the stories beneath these planted lilacs. Enjoyed your poem after reading the article! I don't think there was that much thought into the lilac bushes planted out here in the West. We have a Lilac Garden in WA and the lady just loved lilacs so planted hundreds of them.
In my previous house, I found they were rather invasive and would spread out across the garden.
The article also made me think about the modern birthing in hospitals where the placenta and even the amniotic fluid from births are used in research without permission of the mothers.

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from Jeffrey L. Michaux
Excellent
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You've shared some very interesting information about lilacs that I never knew. I think that their fragrant scent would perfume where and outhouse is. I also had no idea that when women miscarried in certain places that the grave of the baby would be under or around lilacs. They're one of my favorite flower. You've done some research. Thanks for sharing this informative and well written work. Well done!

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from royowen
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I've read one or two this morning tied to the past Diane, this uncovers some of the dead things in our lives, more the excrement, which I would think are more than just that, but the lilacs would be God's Diapers, or, as we call them...nappies, mum cleaned us up lovingly as babes, as our nurturing God does now. Well done, Diane, what a wonderful poem, and all the more value for its research, magnificent job. Blessings Roy

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from Janet Foor
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I love lilacs and I didn't know about the burial places for infants but I did learn long ago about the privy plantings. It makes sense as they are so fragrant. I'll have to check out the article.

Beautiful poem.

Blessings
Janet

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from dkblack
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I just recently read an article about this. I love lilacs and their fragrance is a favorite of mine. The history, of why they were often planted like they were, was very interesting to me. I have noticed when passing older homes that many have large bushes of them lined up to make a hedge. Now I know why!

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020

Comment from Dolly'sPoems
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Wow Diana this is such a sad epic write and I did not know anything about this story, your well chosen words are touching and I also enjoyed the rhyming, I have run our of sixes, but this deserves one, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 27-Jan-2020