Reviews from

Joy of Christmas

Different things to different people

27 total reviews 
Comment from DonandVicki
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Interesting, We too have been up to our ears in family "stuff" we just today took a small tree and decorations to a hospital room for my son in law. I will read this poem to him when we visit him again.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you so much.
Comment from 3rd Sight.
Good
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

From death to finding life where crops grow, and children wander whole again, that's so touching; you can really feel the emotion. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 , I think your rhyming scheme, needs a little work, but other than that, great poem! And thanks for sharing it.

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 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you.
reply by 3rd Sight. on 11-Dec-2024
    You're welcome.
Comment from patcelaw
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

There is something to be said about the joy of Christmas. Even in the toughest of times with the most problems, we can find joy in the Christmas season. If we look for it, we don't need to be caught up in the worldly things, but we just need to know that we can trust the king of kings to give us the joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas, Patricia.

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Patricia.
Comment from Begin Again
Excellent
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The Joy of Christmas -- something with different meaning for everyone. Too many have lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas and they celebrate and proudly display the material things. While others with much less find joy in the simple things -- sharing and realizing the blessings of being alive. Your poem touches on all the lives and draws the reader in to understand again. Marvelous!
Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Carol.
Comment from EeanBlack
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I love how you juxtapose the plight of the lowly with the wonderment of a Western Christmas. We always forget where this whole thing started. My favorite line is also the most poetic to me, "to dampen famine's acrid lust". Do these poets here pay homage to you?

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Eean. Will speak in new year x
reply by EeanBlack on 12-Dec-2024
    I hope so.
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have been reviewed by you once or twice. and I have reviewed you a couple times. Nice clean picture, and loving thoughts. I don't see you much. I am prolific. It is my therapy. I hope you and your family enjoy all the best. Love to you and yours. Karen

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Karen.
reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 12-Dec-2024
    :-)
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Brilliant! This sums up your wonderfully creative imagination and power of translating it into poetry. While we revel in tinsel and trappings, so many in our global village are suffering unspeakable hardships and tragedy. How can this happen? That one half of the world (as depicted in your poem's style) can be so dramatically at odds with the other. I'm not surprised that this means a lot to you, Sandra. It's exquisitely composed with skilful repetition and vividly clear, forthright, unsentimental language.
"Your conscience salved this Christmas time/with pennies thrown into a tin." And yet, like Brexit, few dare admit the travesty of it all. Very well done, Sandra! I love it! Hoping your family issues resolve and Christmas is as enjoyable as possible. Personally I'm always mightily relieved when it's over!! Love Debbie xx

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Debbie, for the comments and great rating.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Shirley, I believe this is the first time I've read your work, and I'm completely blown away by this poem. You write of an unfortunate contrast between the haves and have-nots. I dare say there are more who suffer this Christmas than there are those who will know the joy of Christmas. I think of those in Ukraine and Gaza and Lebanon and Africa . . . And on the streets of the city in which I live.

Thank you for the reminder we need this time of year. No one wants to be a "downer", but we need to speak of these things more often.

Merry Christmas:-)

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Pam, for the comments and great rating.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I love how you return each time to the refrain the Joy of Christmas. You show in exquisite detail how different people experience the holidays differently depending on how their lives are going. From throngs of folks celebrating high on the hog to those who have flies buzzing around their eyes due to starvation, you write the gambit of times when people either tolerate or enjoy Christmas time.
The artwork adds the image of a tiny green box wrapped in tinfoil and ribbon against the backdrop of an arid landscape. This was well chosen and added the needed touch for the reader to get the idea.
Thanks for putting us in the mood to see Christmas through the eyes of different kinds of people with different kinds of situations.
Jesse

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Jesse, for the comments and great rating.
reply by Jesse James Doty on 11-Dec-2024
    You're welcome, Shirley.
    Have a good evening.
    Jesse
Comment from Tim Margetts
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a great poem, showing and sharing all sorts of lives and traumas, reaching out for the Joy of Christmas.
I much prefer this sort of poem.
While there is a place for the rosy, perfect Christmas poem, there is also a bleaker side, that throws a light on what Christmas unfortunately is for so many.
Thank you for sharing.
Tim

 Comment Written 08-Dec-2024


reply by the author on 11-Dec-2024
    Thank you, Tim.