Carving Hope in Cabanatuan
A POW's act to keep hope alive during World War II34 total reviews
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hi Daine.
This is another fine piece written about your uncle. All of your poetry about the heroes in your family are touching and memorable. The carving expressing heartbreak as well as some small measure of healing.
Robert
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2020
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Hi Daine.
This is another fine piece written about your uncle. All of your poetry about the heroes in your family are touching and memorable. The carving expressing heartbreak as well as some small measure of healing.
Robert
Comment Written 02-Sep-2020
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2020
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Thank you, Robert.
This offering is painful for me to read. Such suffering. I am privileged to own a carving of a mother robin atop her nest gazing at a baby robin carved by my uncle. It hangs in a special place in our living room.
I am pleased my words resonated with you!
Thank you!
diane
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You're welcome.
Comment from WalkerMan
Your fine Multiple Tetractys poem, reminiscent of the shape of spaces in a vertical band of the chain-link fence in the illustration, tells us how your uncle productively passed the time of his prisoner-of-war detainment, keeping his faith and sanity despite the harsh conditions. His sadly ironic loss in the erroneous sinking (by an American submarine of the Japanese prison ship transporting him and so many others to Japan) is yet another proof of the horrid waste of war. I like that his carving survived and was found. Well done.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2018
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Your fine Multiple Tetractys poem, reminiscent of the shape of spaces in a vertical band of the chain-link fence in the illustration, tells us how your uncle productively passed the time of his prisoner-of-war detainment, keeping his faith and sanity despite the harsh conditions. His sadly ironic loss in the erroneous sinking (by an American submarine of the Japanese prison ship transporting him and so many others to Japan) is yet another proof of the horrid waste of war. I like that his carving survived and was found. Well done.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2018
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Hello WalkerMan,
I adore the tetractys form of poetry. It is such a challenge to create a story in a constricted/formulaic format and not end up with a forced mess! Thank you ever so much for your kind review...
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You are welcome, Diane. You did very well with this difficult form. -- Mike
Comment from Readywriter52
Your poem used all the required words. I like the way you structured the poem so that at times it seems to rush. It is a very poignant and sad poem.
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Your poem used all the required words. I like the way you structured the poem so that at times it seems to rush. It is a very poignant and sad poem.
Comment Written 25-Feb-2009
Comment from penelope
What an outstanding poem, Mrs. KT. Such a sad poem, especially as it's true. I like the way you've presented it, spacing is excellent. I've heard of other prisoners of war leaving poems and carvings, even in their desperate moments they create something beautiful. This is a sure winner, although I haven't read all the entries yet. I wish you the best of luck. Penelope
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2009
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What an outstanding poem, Mrs. KT. Such a sad poem, especially as it's true. I like the way you've presented it, spacing is excellent. I've heard of other prisoners of war leaving poems and carvings, even in their desperate moments they create something beautiful. This is a sure winner, although I haven't read all the entries yet. I wish you the best of luck. Penelope
Comment Written 25-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2009
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Hello Penelope! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. Take Care...diane
Comment from K-Patrick
There is nothing I can say about this that hasn't already been said. I served in the Marines, from Beirut through the 1st Gulf War, I can only feel for those who have lost loved ones. This poem will help Sergeant William Kenel's sacrifice alive.
Thank you - Semper Fidelis
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There is nothing I can say about this that hasn't already been said. I served in the Marines, from Beirut through the 1st Gulf War, I can only feel for those who have lost loved ones. This poem will help Sergeant William Kenel's sacrifice alive.
Thank you - Semper Fidelis
Comment Written 21-Feb-2009
Comment from ulster3
Mrs. KT.
This is beautifully written and a great tribute to your Uncle. There is no tribute great enough. How wonderful that he was able to engage himself in carving, it just shows what wonderful spirit he had. He was a nice looking young man too. I'm sure he is somehow blessed as I write. Fondly, Rebecca
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Mrs. KT.
This is beautifully written and a great tribute to your Uncle. There is no tribute great enough. How wonderful that he was able to engage himself in carving, it just shows what wonderful spirit he had. He was a nice looking young man too. I'm sure he is somehow blessed as I write. Fondly, Rebecca
Comment Written 17-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Thank you so much for your kind review, Rebecca! diane
Comment from tteach
Excellent! What can I say. It is deserving of the highest rating possible. I wish that ten stars were available.
Your form fits the message...it slows down, and speeds up, when needed most. Feelings of pain, hope, suffering come through the words. Then we read that this is your uncle...
Well done. I hope you do well in the contest.
terry
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Excellent! What can I say. It is deserving of the highest rating possible. I wish that ten stars were available.
Your form fits the message...it slows down, and speeds up, when needed most. Feelings of pain, hope, suffering come through the words. Then we read that this is your uncle...
Well done. I hope you do well in the contest.
terry
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello! I am very honored by your exceptional rating! What a horrible time for our country - and the world... diane
Comment from skye
Powerful words, great interior images, make this tribute poem excellent.
Your poetic style is a good vehicle for this poem of sacrifice that this soldier made.. and the memories of his life resting within the carving he left behind.
Very well done.
Excellent use of the required words.
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Powerful words, great interior images, make this tribute poem excellent.
Your poetic style is a good vehicle for this poem of sacrifice that this soldier made.. and the memories of his life resting within the carving he left behind.
Very well done.
Excellent use of the required words.
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 18-Feb-2009
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Hello skye! So pleased you enjoyed! diane
Comment from Perp Ihebom
This is a very pathetic and thought-provoking story. The soldier did not survive, but his carving did to tell his story. That is quite sad because the carving would only tell an anemic story. War is evil. great job. i love the artistic arrangement. kudos
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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This is a very pathetic and thought-provoking story. The soldier did not survive, but his carving did to tell his story. That is quite sad because the carving would only tell an anemic story. War is evil. great job. i love the artistic arrangement. kudos
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Much appreciation! Thank you for your kind review. diane
Comment from mtngalofnc
Hi Diane,
I've read your poem several times and it is a very touching write and you've done an excellent job using the words for this contest. Thank you for the author notes. As for the captain who committed suicide, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Knowing that you were responsible for so many deaths would be horrible. I believe you have a great chance of winning this contest. Thank you for sharing and God bless and best wishes!
mtngalofnc
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Hi Diane,
I've read your poem several times and it is a very touching write and you've done an excellent job using the words for this contest. Thank you for the author notes. As for the captain who committed suicide, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. Knowing that you were responsible for so many deaths would be horrible. I believe you have a great chance of winning this contest. Thank you for sharing and God bless and best wishes!
mtngalofnc
Comment Written 16-Feb-2009
reply by the author on 16-Feb-2009
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Hello Friend! Much appreciation for your stopping by and for your thoughtful review.
diane