Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

I'm starting to wonder if reason, and the human capacity to use it, might be one of the good magicks in a bin full of human abilities, like ones possessed by Jon Edward and Zelda. Magick because it feels like an illusion that I hear about some days... but when I look at people behaving, I start to wonder if it exists in their thinker at all.

Though, if it were a magick, then I'd like to work up to being a sorcerer, myself.

Nice job with this poem, which uses superstitions, sets them in a row and knocks them over with a little help from reason in a single line.

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2018

Well, magic = illusion, and from what I've seen, reason is pretty much an illusion in our species.Ever wondered why so many magicians are skeptics? (e.g. Penn & Teller, James Randi). It just occurred to me reading your comment - it's because they know exactly how to hoodwink people, so they recognise when other people do it. I know, hardly a prize-winning deduction on my part. Many thanks for the great review, Turtle.

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This poem, Mind Games, seems to call into doubt all the spiritual, metaphysical, and otherwise hokey controllers of our fates. The world may need more faith in people than in shadows on the wall.

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2018

I think you got the drift, Bill. Thanks for reviewing - Craig

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

I couldn't agree more, and you've put it so succinctly in your notes - three words jump out at me: empathy, reason, and nonsense. Of the latter, there's an abundance; of the former two, the phrase "scarce as hen's teeth" comes to mind...

Great poem, Craig - one more word choice I love, but for different (creative) reasons (LOL - rather than soapbox ones): jettison. What a fun word!

 Comment Written 08-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 08-Apr-2018

Thanks so much, Dawn. I love Jettison too - more Jane Jettison than George Jettison, but the whole family was cool ;-)

Have a great rest of your weekend! Craig

reply by Dawn Munro on 09-Apr-2018

:))))))))) Smart a*s.

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

I'd give you top grades just for managing to fit that big, fat word into a finely metred poem and stay in metre and rhyme. Not exactly easy, but you did it.

I think this word will be more difficult to remember, but I will try.

Great job, Craig.

Gloria

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

I admit, it took a little head scratching to work it in there, Gloria. Thanks for the great review - and don't worry; if you can't remember the word, I won't consider you a traditor :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

Craig, This is a very interesting poem you have penned. I used to enjoy watching those shows until I realized it was all fake stuff. You used very good descriptive words. I do not believe in fortune tellers at all. My belief is in the one that died on the cross for each one of us! You did a really good job with this poem! Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

Thanks very much for the very kind words, Teri. Glad you don't swallow that soothsaying stuff. Have a great day! Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

I totally agree with your author notes, and I think that "reason" and good old common sense should make a come-back, and could likely fix a whole lot of nonsense in this world.

Your poem is very well written and it aptly conveys the meaning of 'sockdolager'. I particularly like your third stanza with your woes/placebos rhyme.

I really like the word "sockdolager", Craig, and I can't help but think of "sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me" from that 70's TV Show Rowan and Martin's Laugh In ... hehe

Well done, Craig! ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

And Goldie is still going strong, Connie! Many thanks for the lovely review. I'm glad you like the word, as I scratched my head for some time wondering how I was going to fit it in :) Cheers, Craig

reply by bichonfrisegirl on 07-Apr-2018

Yes she is! :) I think I dated myself with that reference. lol

reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

LOL - Well, of course, I had to look up my ancient history books to try and find out who that bikini-clad goofy girl was ;-)

(or maybe not...)

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written poem about playing mind games with one another to make believe some things are bigger and more important than others. Or try to convince a person what he believes doesn't exist.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

Thanks, Sandra. I'm pretty certain no one can convince someone to change their beliefs, whatever they may be. There are those who haven't made up their minds yet, and it seems the ones offering the snake-oil never cease trying to recruit those people.Cheers, Craig

Comment from s.m.kirby

Excellent

This is a great poem that I enjoyed reading.I really like it when I learn something from reading others poems.Thank you for the word of the day.I never heard of it before .

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

Thanks very much for the kind comments, and I'm glad we both learned a new word :) Craig

Comment from William Ross

Excellent

Great write, written very well, and the subject matter hits the point well on all this senseless killings for no reason but stupidity and feeling entitled in my opinion. Thanks for the share and have a wonderful day.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

Thanks very much for the lovely comments, William. Have a great day yourself! Craig

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

You are truly the enlightened man. I believe that you are right about the world needing empathy and reason. I would say that together they are a powerful sockdolager that cannot be beaten. I need use reason to study ghosts and psychics to pin down whether I believe in them or not.

 Comment Written 07-Apr-2018

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2018

Well, I think reason is the best tool for that - good luck with it! And thank you for the very kind review :) Craig