Comment from davidray

Excellent

So true, aplacalady,
Yes, sometimes the best thing we can do to help ourselves is get away from the noose someone in the extended family wrapped around our necks.
WE moved clear across the country to escape the clutches of my mother-in-law. The best thing we ever could have done!
Enjoyed this. good luck in the contest.
David

 Comment Written 01-Oct-2008

---

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2008

So true: whether it's extended family or your own - they don't realise how clingy and stifling they can be - good on you for making the break!

Thanks so much David, I'm glad you enjoyed this (ta for good luck wishes too!) xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from lsee

Excellent

I know that is right...Oh, but what a tie that binds so tight, until sometime you just stay there.Too tired to fight,so to speak, but if ever you break free, I understands about that new free ME.
Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 01-Oct-2008

Things can become a very hard habit to break, even family. Even though one may feel liberated after making the break, there's always that lingering doubt because they're family...

Thanks for a thoughtful review Isee! xoxoxoxoxxo

reply by lsee on 01-Oct-2008

Yes, yes, I fully understand what you mean.
I think Family is a God given institution, but with the messing up that we do, sometime we have to 'break camp'. I think that loyalty ache stays with us throughout life, though...maybe beyond!

Comment from darkgreennights

Excellent

Loved the poem, but relatives can be overated, we dont choose them and maybe we wouldnt given a choice anyway! You on the other hand have the precious furrykin creatures, they make a pretty delightful family I think! How is my little friend Kaitlyn?

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

She's still very cute, although very spirited! She isn't under my direct care at the moment, but soon will be so I'm looking forward to 'playing' with our Kaitlyn-Bambi! My belief (back to the poem!!) is that biology isn't always best. Families who don't nurture and encourage individuality and self-acceptance tend to be stifling and depressing environments to grow up in. What you say, I also say a lot: we don't pick 'em!

Thanks so much for your comments and great review my friend. I do think my 'family' of furrykin creatures (incl. dog, cat, rabbit, etc) is a much kinder option for me these days... xoxoxoxoxo (apart from my hubby and kids of course!!)

reply by darkgreennights on 30-Sep-2008

its like adewpearls darling poems there's just no downside to garanimals, please kiss Kaitlyns angel face for me

Comment from Dave-Aranda-Richards

Excellent

Very creative. The art at the beginning really gave this peice a good take-off. The narrative was both captivating and literary sound.

Dave

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thanks so much Dave; glad you enjoyed this one xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from wierdgrace

Excellent

Boy, you are going to give us a few great ones in a row quitely are you. this is fun and shows the break free and the influences we all have in familys. This is great, I found no errors surprised. great writing.

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thanks very much wierdgrace! Yeh, is a bit reminiscent of that Queen song: "I want to break free..."! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Comment from dkneale

Excellent

You said that elequently...sometimes breaking away is the only way...Very beautiful piece indeed...could I bother you with one suggestion...I struggled to read it...it was hard for my old eyes to adjust...other than that, splendid...Debra

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thanks so much Debra. Agreed the white is a bit blurry to read, but other colours that would match the blue looked more blurry! Sorry it was a bit hard on your eyes. AGain, thanks so much for your review and comments - glad you enjoyed this one! xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from chaswriter

Excellent

alpacalady - Loved the poem but was confused by the last stanza. Did you mean "their family tree" or "the family tree" that you have in the first stanza? Charlie.

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

I sure did mean "their" family tree. My personal belief is that 'family' should be that which nurtures and encourages you, not a group of people who expect you to behave in a certain way to be acceptable, regardless of blood relationship. I had to word the first line with 'the' as that was the contest requirement. Hope that clears it up a bit or you Charlie! Again, thanks so very much for a terrific review even though that 'their/the' bit confused you some! xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from Donovan

Excellent

I liked this. I think it has meaning and reflection of our life and what we might do with it. Truth is always the key to walking free, I think regardless of belief, truth is freeing.

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Yes, it can take years to realise that being true to oneself is the best way to reach personal liberty. Thanks so much for a wonderful review Donovan! xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from Trena One Who Cares

Excellent

Hi Lady this poem presents with perfect art that frames this well written poem. Good rhythm and flow used throughout his entire piece. Trena

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Thanks so very much Trena - glad you liked this one! xoxoxoxoxo

Comment from starman

Excellent

I can certainly relate to falling off the family free. Leaving home was the greatest feeling I ever had. However, I did reconcile with my father in his old age.

Very nice read.
:)s

 Comment Written 30-Sep-2008

---

reply by the author on 30-Sep-2008

Funny isn't it? A lot of us have this experience and it's a strange one being 'separate' from one's family. But my belief has been for a long time that if your own blood family doesn't nurture or encourage you as a person, then breaking free is the only option to live a full life. Reconciliation is something yet to happen for me (father is very stubborn), so am leaving this in the hands of fate for now. Thanks so much for a great review starman! xoxoxoxoxox