Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This lovely sonnet flows like a dream, Paul! You've skilfully conveyed a sense of romance without over-egging it but, simply contrasting the rather unfruitful journey you've been on with the more meaningful love that awaits you. In short, the romantic theme is subtle but very effective, in my view. Well done, Paul, and good luck! Debbie

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Debbie. "... flows like a dream" - I like it.

Comment from karenina

Excellent

Praise to a unique NON-BLIND contest with no images allowed and an encouraging message to do your best with iambic pentameter! This is romantic, melancholy, and hopeful all at the same time. In the end we all rely on that first blush of magical love in our hearts...and pray it will sustain us through life's ups and downs!

Karenina

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks fore the review, Karenina. I am still with "that first blush of magical love".

reply by karenina on 20-Dec-2023

Then you are indeed, blessed...

Comment from Mia Twysted

Excellent

It is hard to go on living once we have lost the ones we love. This piece tells the reader that they are there waiting for us when it is our time to cross over into the next part of assistance.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks for the review, Mia. You have thrown a new light on this poem.

Comment from Cedar

Exceptional

Hello Paul,

You have penned a very special sonnet here. One that will resonate to all who reads it. I'm sure that we all have felt just like your words describe at one time or another.

I wish you the best of luck in the contest. If I could make one suggestion it would be to break up your lines into 4 line stanza's making it look like a regular sonnet. I have learned in my 15 years here that the voters will not vote for you if everything is not the way it's supposed to be.

Merry Christmas...Bill

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Bill. I had it written out in the standard form, but when I posted it, that was the way it came out.

Comment from June Sargent

Excellent

I am less concerned with iambic Pentameter than I am with content. Your sonnet captures the futility of chasing rainbows and the rewards of coming home - where the heart has been all along. Sooner or later we find ourselves and our place.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks for the review, June. Many of us have returned home after chasing rainbows.

Comment from BenThrone

Excellent

This is a well-written sonnet that I think many will enjoy reading and will resonate with their own experience. I think many of us at some point feel lost and called to wander, only at last to go back where we started and learn it was home all along. Good luck in the contest!

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Ben. There's probably a little wanderlust in all of us.

Comment from Yusita

Excellent

This is a solid entry and a beautiful piece that had me captivated. I like how it talks about a sort of wanderlust or searching for something you aren't quite sure of, but in the end, you find the best place to be--where true love is. Lovely work.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Yusita. Back home is usually the best place to be.

Comment from jim vecchio

Excellent

Yes, there's no place like home! To me, this is a sonnet that doesn't seem like a sonnet. I men, the words flow smoothly and do not seem forced or artificial to meet a meter or beat. You seem to have mastered this form.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Jim. You are too generous.

reply by jim vecchio on 20-Dec-2023

You are a great writer!

Comment from JSD

Excellent

Lovely sonnet. Meaningful and truthful; clearly written from the heart. Well done and good luck in the competition.

John

'Poetry is the space between words.'

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, John. That's a great saying. Is it yours?

reply by JSD on 21-Dec-2023

Norman Willis. Former chair of the TUC!

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2023

TUC???

reply by JSD on 21-Dec-2023

Trades Union Congress. The central body for all trade unions in the UK.

Comment from Jacob1395

Excellent

I enjoyed reading this piece, it is quite emotive, particularly with the thoughts of being alone, but I liked how you ended it. An excellent piece of writing.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Dec-2023

Thanks, Jacob. Hopefully there are many who can connect the dots.