Comment from Rlegel99

Excellent

Poem about Joe Pulitzer. This poem follows the rules of the contest. This poem flows well. It is interesting and written in a way that holds the reader's interest.

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 15-Apr-2017

Hi Rlegel:

I didn't know anything about Joseph Pulitzer before I read up on him to write this poem. To have such a prestigious prize bear his name is an honor that's gone to something of an ornery individual. Thanks for taking the time to read and review.

Kim

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Well now. Wasn't he a despicable one? Maybe he was the subject in disguise in that movie--Despicable Me [may have the name wrong].

Kim, you did a superb job with this poem. Your lines flow well with great rhymes. You tell his story matter of factly without taking sides IMHO.

His name is well-known for the Pulitzer Prize, but how many really know is history? Probably very few. You did a great job sharing his bio in this poem.

Good job. I like learning something each day--good or bad. Well the bad lets me know who/what to stay away from. With ol' Joe here, it doesn't matter. I will never win a Pulitzer. But never mind. I would rather be known for being kind.

Good job & thanks for sharing. Jan

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 14-Apr-2017

Hi Jan,

Isn't it ironic that it is such a coveted award and he was so not nice of a person? I didn't know anything about him (other than the name of the award) before I started that Bio write. I tried to keep it objective, I'm glad that you noticed. :)

Thanks for all the great comments and for taking the time to read and review this one.

Kim

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

This is great Kim with spot on rhyming and easy flow you tell this story well. I loved reading Joe's story, and what an amazing life he had and now I know where Pulitzer came from. Well done,
cheers
sorry I'm a bit late have a bit of catching up to do.
valda

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 13-Apr-2017

Hi Valda!

I'm sitting here with 44 messages in my inbox, just since yesterday lol I totally understand that. My brain was on overload, it seems. I'll catch up again eventually. I didn't know anything other than the name of the Pulitzer Prize before I started researching for this piece. Thank you for this most exceptional read and review. I appreciate your comments and the stars. :)

Comment from valmay

Exceptional

I loved this poem. I knew nothing about Pulitzer's life, (I'm ashamed to say) but now I have found out a little. Well written, and a very pertinent subject choice for this site. Good luck.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 12-Apr-2017

Hi valmay,

Thank you for taking the time to read and review. Before I did a little reading, I didn't really know anything other than "Pulitzer Prize" either. I appreciate your comments. :)

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

I enjoyed reading this so much. Great poem with a very interesting theme. I've heard of the Pulitzer Prize for years. Funny I never looked it up, but thank you for doing so. A great entry for the bio contest. Marilyn

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Hi Marilyn,

By chance I saw that it was Joseph Pulitzer's birthday, so I decided he'd be a good one to research. What a story! Thanks for comments. I appreciate the time you've taken to read and review. :) Have a great evening!

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This biographical poem, Happy Birthday, Joe!, is a pretty good thumbnail accounting of the man's life. The father of fake news a hundred and seventy now. That could be the headline.

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 11-Apr-2017

Hi Bill,

I wonder if he'd be so quick at the sensationalism if he could see what it has wrought today? I doubt he'd approve of the medias collusion with government, rather than being a champion of the people and exposing their corruption. But then again, that 'yellow journalism,' as it was branded, did make him an extremely rich man. Thanks for the great review.

Kim

Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

We need a few Joes now to shake up the media and get them back on track. Looks
like a fine bio-poem to me. I always wondered why it was called a Pulitzer prize.

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 10-Apr-2017

Hi LIJ:
Hi LIJ:

We need something for our media. Pulitzer and Hearst developed what was called "yellow journalism," which is essentially what we've got today. More sensationalism than truth, it seems. The figured out that is what sold their papers. It made them rich, many times over and built their family empires. They say he was really hard to get along with though, that he and his wife ended up basically living separate lives, and his kids feared him. Let me be poor if being rich is what it means to live like that. Thanks for taking the time to read and review :)

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

OH! I LOVE your choice of topic for this poem, and the story you deliver for eager readers - so THIS is "Joe". You never fail to entertain, my friend. Who knew the man was so reviled his own family didn't like him?

Best of luck in the booth! Again, such a wise choice of subject for a group of writers!

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 10-Apr-2017

Hi Dawn!

He's described as a boss from Hell, his kids feared him, and his wife lived separate from him later in life. He had gone blind by the time he died, but he was sailing with a private physician on his private yacht. So, I guess when you get rich you can do anything you want. (Including being hard to get along with, I suppose.) I really knew nothing about him before I started a bit of research. I love what I learn for my writing endeavors.

Thanks for the great comments! :) I appreciate your enthusiasm. And for the record, I think being rich didn't make him happy.

reply by Dawn Munro on 10-Apr-2017

I love what you learn too - you teach me! *grin* It's a pleasure, Kim - your work is always a joy.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I've always wondered the origin of the Pulitzer Prize. He was Hungarian, and was responsible for yellow journalism, so now I know who started junk news. Well done with your entry in this bio poetry contest, excellent work with your articulatey metered poem in 8686 quatrains, in abcb rhyming, well done, good luck, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 10-Apr-2017

Hi Roy,

Thanks for taking the time to read and review. He is the true example of an immigrant coming to America and making his fortune. I don't think getting rich made him a happy man, though. He had quite the ornery disposition. I appreciate your detailed review of my poem. Have a wonderful day!

reply by royowen on 11-Apr-2017

My pleasure

Comment from MaggieF

Excellent

How interesting. Love what you did with the picture. The poem flowed well thanks to your rhyming scheme. I didn't know the history of the Pulitzer Prize, I found your poem fascinating. 'This waiter who had clumsy hands' amused me. What a strong minded man. MaggieF

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2017

---

reply by the author on 10-Apr-2017

Hi Maggie,

He was getting work wherever he could. When he was waiting tables he'd hang on every word of the affluent society members and writers, until the day he managed to pour beer all over one of the patrons. He got fired and shortly afterward began his news career writing for a German newspaper, and then eventually came to own a paper in St. Louis, and then New York. He was truly an immigrant success story, starting from being destitute.

Thanks for taking the time to read and review. I appreciate your comments. Have a great day!