Comment from Val Crisson

Excellent

Good one Dean with a great job of two interacting first two lines with a very nice satori. Also, very good use of alliteration with w and r. It works well for this haiku

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thank you, Val. I certainly hope it works better for me than it has in the past, my friend. I do appreciate your encouragement.

Comment from Maureen's Pen

Excellent

Dear Dean - This one made me smile. Always love to see the new fawns in late spring at the cottage. Your images in this one were fabulous. I enjoyed it and wish you luck.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen

resplendent river
winding ribbon reflects life
whitetail yearlings play

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thank you so much, Maureen. Based on my showing in these haiku contests of late, I will need all of the luck I can get going up against more accomplished poets. Like yourself, for example.

I appreciate your encouraging review and contest well-wishes.

reply by Maureen's Pen on 23-Jun-2014

LOL I'm not that great at these forms my friend...and always seem to strike out at prompts:)
Extra luck to you...:)
Hugs
m

reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

That's surprising, especially since you write primarily free verse. Also, it is always so well written. I think you sell yourself way short, Maureen. But please, don't enter this one! I won't have a fighting chance if they see your name on the list, LOL!

reply by Maureen's Pen on 23-Jun-2014

LMAO - not to worry my friend, I'm not on it:)

reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

8>}

Comment from Jay Squires

Exceptional

Your Haiku is, itself, resplendent with meaning. It is a poem that evades meaning when you search for it within the lines.

But when you relax the search it, like the river and like the yearlings, frolics its way into the mind.

Non-resistance is the way. You can't reach down and pick up the river of life. It has to wash over you.

You must develop the playfulness of the deer, or kittens or puppies or toddlers ... before they discover life is serious indeed.

Thanks for the reminder, Dean.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

It's as if you were inside my head as I wrote it, Jay.

I'm very grateful for the keen insight and fabulous rating, my friend. Both are sincerely appreciated.

reply by Jay Squires on 23-Jun-2014

I thought there was more than one of us in there, Dean. Tight squeeze. Glad neither of us had head beans the night before.

reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

:>}

Me too!

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

resplendent river << nice alliteration

winding ribbon reflects life << Double meaning in "reflects"

whitetail yearlings play << and life goes on as the river flows on.

Lovely! Nice to see a well-done haiku here for a change, tho I'm not a fan of the form.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thanks, Phyllis. You certainly picked up on my intent very well. As far as the contest goes, my luck's been poor to middlin' at best of late. We can only wait to see how well written the poetic purists believe it to be after the voting is over and the dust has settled.

Thanks again!

Comment from country ranch writer

Excellent

Awe you brought tears to my eyes big guy I love my deer. I was always glad I never shot one, although I come close a time or to but something always spooked them. Now they don't have to worry, retired the guns

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thank you very much, country. Yeah, I'd rather sit and watch them rather than shoot them myself. Such majestically beautiful animals.

reply by country ranch writer on 23-Jun-2014

did you like the birthday note?

Comment from ElegantButler

Exceptional

Like the haiku does for poetry, a river holds a precious story in one of the simplest and yet most complex forms of nature. This haiku demonstrates how closely the two are connected, reminding me of how great the simple can be.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thank you, ElegantButler. My meaning exactly, my friend. I certainly appreciate your encouraging review and six stars, my friend.

Comment from Nosha17

Excellent

A river runs effortlessly on its way, supporting wildlife in its path. You have made good choice of words to convey your thoughts and the illustration compliments the poem well. Good luck in the contest. Faye

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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thanks, Faye. Based on my showing in these contests of late, I'll no doubt need it. I don't know why I continue to try at these haiku contests to be quite honest with you. perhaps because the form fascinate me, I suppose.

Thanks again.

Comment from prefabmouse

Excellent

Awesome job of painting a picture of a peaceful country moment with so many restrictions and rules to follow. I am impressed with your writing skill once again.

Good luck in the contest

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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 23-Jun-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Jun-2014

Thanks, prefabmouse. My haiku skills leave much to be desired, but I am working on it. I truly appreciate your encouraging words.