Reviews from

Pantoum Collection

Viewing comments for Chapter 6 "The Boobook Owl"
Poems written using the pantoum form

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

This was a delightful poem. I really enjoyed the stealth mood of it. I learned about a creature I had no idea even existed. I was seeing a seen of the circle of life and loved the use of the word silver in your description. Great imagery and flow. Nicely done.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2013
    Thanks for your review, GWH! I very much appreciate your comments and praise. This owl is endemic to Australasia and South East Asia. It has a mournful two-note call and the name Boobook is onomatopoeic. It is also sometimes called the Mopoke.
Comment from Sueellen11
Excellent
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Beautiful pantoum,, nicely written and on one of my favourite birds,, I love owls there is such wisdom attached and they way the work things out in hunting and such,,, I do say the wise are the owl,, I had a barn owl in my big tea tree some time back,, and sometimes I swear I hear a hoot hoot,, love your little boo book,,, blessings sueellen

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2013
    Thanks for your review,Sueellen! I very much appreciate your comments. This little owl has a mournful two-note call and the name Boobook is onomatopoeic. It is also sometimes called the Mopoke. A real little sweetie when he's not hunting!
reply by Sueellen11 on 17-Oct-2013
    Now I know the beautiful little mopoke,,, my nan always talked about the mopoke,,, in fact she minded a little girl and nicked named her mopoke,,, a beautifull little girl with the biggest black eyes such a sweetie,, thanks for letting me know it alternate name that this dummy could relate to,,blessings,,sueellen
Comment from Leineco
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This really is a cunningly composed pantoum! Besides the w sound, the l sound, the vowel sounds and tight knit groups of alliteration that all blend together seamlessly (and melodically), the ambiance set, with sprinkled phrases like shadowed silver, swaying sedge, at water's edge and close to flight, is dramatic and almost "other worldly".

The form itself is met meticulously, but the repeated lines hardly seem to be repetitive...in fact, they almost seem required by the force of nature imbued.

However, without a doubt, the most seductive thing in this poem is the use of stays poised and will make her fateful movement soon on BOTH the hunter and the hunted! To manage this manipulation of the same phrase(s) but from different points of view, in such a highly restrictive poem form, is true talent on display!

I can't applaud loud enough to make it clear, how very much I liked this poem...not for its form (which I feel you have elevated), but for its power to convey so beautifully this penultimate moment in nature.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2013
    Thank you so much for you detailed and absolutely lovely review, Leineco. I think that I shall have to print it out and keep it somewhere safe where I can take a peek whenever my ego needs a little boost! I would so much have liked to give you a reviewer contest vote for this one but I'm afraid I'm bankrupt! Next time!
Comment from Selina Stambi
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

her shadowed silver silhouette
suggested .. gorgeous alliteration

Hello, tf,

If this is your first effort, it was fabulously well done.

What a brilliantly ghostly nature scene you depict - the pantoum was a good choice for your subject.

So very well done, sir! :)

Sonali

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    I'm very much flattered by your lovely review and 6-star rating! Thank you so much, Sonali.
Comment from allborn66
Excellent
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This is a wonderful piece. The form enhances this poem. The rhyming scheme is excellent. You communicate the theme well.
Barbara

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    Thanks for your review, Barbara! I very much appreciate your comments.
Comment from mroberts
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Fabulous poem. This poem, like the owl it venerates, is viscious, yet totally controlled, like a missile strike from a high tech central command post.The victim with its move at hunter's moon adds drama and fatal suspense.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    Hi M Roberts! Thanks very much for your review, interesting comments and six-star rating. All are much appreciated! I see you are a teacher, too! I retired a couple of years ago, Great not being ruled by the clock any more but I do miss the kids! Most of them, anyway ;)
Comment from Dawn Munro
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, this is a wonderful pantoum, and it just happens to be one of my favourite forms as well. The imagery evoked by your phrasing is spectacular, and you've captured the mood so well! Perfect rhyme and meter - just an exquisite poem. My last six this week is yours, sir!

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    Thanks so much for your lovely review and generous 6-star rating, Dawn. I shall purr all weekend!
Comment from JM daSilva
Excellent
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Beautiful and fatal creature. And the noise the barn owl makes can scared the biggest predators. I wonder why we think of owls as wise, but I know they are beautiful and fatal.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    Thanks for your review, JM daSilva! I appreciate your comments. Yes, they are birds of great beauty - but also birds of prey!
reply by JM daSilva on 18-Oct-2013
    Welcome. Great pleasure.
Comment from Mastery
Excellent
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Hi, Tony. I never heard of a "BooBook before this poem...nor a ghost gum tree for that matter. Very interesting name and your work is very poetic indeed. Bravo, my friend. Bob LOL..

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 18-Oct-2013
    Thanks for your review, Bob! I appreciate your positive and supportive comments. This particular owl has a mournful two-note call and the name Boobook is onomatopoeic. It is also sometimes called the Mopoke.
Comment from Janice Canerdy
Excellent
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Your skillfully-written poem dramatically describes the stealthy prowess and patience of this creature as it awaits the opportunity to snag its supper!

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2013


reply by the author on 17-Oct-2013
    Many thanks for your lovely review, Janice. I appreciate your comments and feedback.