Carlton Mendell
My idol46 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing Carlton Mendell with us as a contest tribute. One of my sons and his wife are marathon runners. I never understood it, but that's me. LOl I enjoyed reading and good luck with the contest.
Who lives down in Maine (wouldn't it be up in Maine, unless you're from Canada??)
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thank you for sharing Carlton Mendell with us as a contest tribute. One of my sons and his wife are marathon runners. I never understood it, but that's me. LOl I enjoyed reading and good luck with the contest.
Who lives down in Maine (wouldn't it be up in Maine, unless you're from Canada??)
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Barb. Carlton was a very special man. I miss him.
Comment from royowen
This is an excellently written tribute to your now deceased friend, the best mentor and friend I had was 25 years my senior, my fellow opening batting partner, I learnt about life, Bridge, cricket, and life skills, he was the father I never had. Beautifully written my friend, a great rhyming ode or ballad celebration of your friend, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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This is an excellently written tribute to your now deceased friend, the best mentor and friend I had was 25 years my senior, my fellow opening batting partner, I learnt about life, Bridge, cricket, and life skills, he was the father I never had. Beautifully written my friend, a great rhyming ode or ballad celebration of your friend, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Roy. There were a lot of runners in New England that looked up to Carlton.
Comment from LisaMay
Great poem! I enjoyed this very much, for its rhythm and pace, for its storytelling, and for the line in your notes: 'friendship had become more important than competitiveness.'
I liked the persona of Carlton you narrated - a man of success yet humility, happy to share words of wisdom.
As an ex-athlete myself (more into sprints than long distance) I know the role sport can play in fostering close friendships and respect.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Great poem! I enjoyed this very much, for its rhythm and pace, for its storytelling, and for the line in your notes: 'friendship had become more important than competitiveness.'
I liked the persona of Carlton you narrated - a man of success yet humility, happy to share words of wisdom.
As an ex-athlete myself (more into sprints than long distance) I know the role sport can play in fostering close friendships and respect.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, LisaMay. Good to hear from a fellow runner.
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Sport has provided many memorable moments - highs and lows.
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You got that right.
Comment from w.j.debi
Carlton Mendell sounds like a wonderful person. He obviously trained long and hard to be the best he could. How wonderful that he inspired others and gave them something to reach for, including you. It sounds like you became great friend--crossing that finish line together had to be a cherished memory.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Carlton Mendell sounds like a wonderful person. He obviously trained long and hard to be the best he could. How wonderful that he inspired others and gave them something to reach for, including you. It sounds like you became great friend--crossing that finish line together had to be a cherished memory.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks for the review, Debi. Carlton had many fans and friends in the running community.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
He sounds like a wonderful man and wonderful friend. There are not many like him around. More's the pity. I really enjoyed reading your poem, and the rhyme was just like a marathon, a jaunty jog down the page. Well done, a lovely tribute to your late friend. Good luck in the contest. :) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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He sounds like a wonderful man and wonderful friend. There are not many like him around. More's the pity. I really enjoyed reading your poem, and the rhyme was just like a marathon, a jaunty jog down the page. Well done, a lovely tribute to your late friend. Good luck in the contest. :) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Sandra. The marathon was a little long for me. I raced with Carlton in half marathons and 10K's.
Comment from Frank Malley
"Carlton Mendell" is a rhyming poem in two-beat lines that describes the powerful impression that a great athlete has made upon a younger friend. The praises given are abstract, and there's not much about the experience of running. The eponymous character of the poem is clearly made admirable, and that admiration is initially interested in celebrating him as a runner, and secondarily in celebrating him as a man of solid character and good will. I generally find that poems that present something via larger abstractions are not as engrossing as poems that find particular details to establish, for example, courage or honesty. It may be hard to do that in such a regular meter and rhyme scheme.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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"Carlton Mendell" is a rhyming poem in two-beat lines that describes the powerful impression that a great athlete has made upon a younger friend. The praises given are abstract, and there's not much about the experience of running. The eponymous character of the poem is clearly made admirable, and that admiration is initially interested in celebrating him as a runner, and secondarily in celebrating him as a man of solid character and good will. I generally find that poems that present something via larger abstractions are not as engrossing as poems that find particular details to establish, for example, courage or honesty. It may be hard to do that in such a regular meter and rhyme scheme.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks for the review, Frank. Glad to hear your opinion.
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be well! Frank
Comment from Terry Broxson
You have told a great story using a creative poem as your format of choice. I think it is an excellent entry into the contest. It should do well as it honors passion, commitment, friendship, and achievement. Very well done. Terry.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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You have told a great story using a creative poem as your format of choice. I think it is an excellent entry into the contest. It should do well as it honors passion, commitment, friendship, and achievement. Very well done. Terry.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Terry. Friendship was the most important thing I got out of that relationship.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Mystery Writer!
I so enjoyed your exceptionally well-crafted Tribute poem.
The lines were crisp and your poem flowed very well.
Your delightful poem surely resonated this mom of athletic runners!
You are correct that friendship becomes more important than competitiveness at these meets.
Although Carlton Mendell has passed away, I bet his family would treasure your tribute...
Thank you for sharing!
Best Wishes!
diane
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Hello, Mystery Writer!
I so enjoyed your exceptionally well-crafted Tribute poem.
The lines were crisp and your poem flowed very well.
Your delightful poem surely resonated this mom of athletic runners!
You are correct that friendship becomes more important than competitiveness at these meets.
Although Carlton Mendell has passed away, I bet his family would treasure your tribute...
Thank you for sharing!
Best Wishes!
diane
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Diane. I lost track of Carlton when he moved to Florida when his health started to fail him. In one of our races, a photographer took a picture of us running together. I had the picture framed, and I had one of my short poems inscribed on it.
When in the fevered race of life
You find yourself undone,
Seek out a sage, and he will show you
How that race is run.
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Beautiful!
Our daughter, son-in-law, and my husband have long participated in triathlons (Son-in-law and daughter in Ironman). One of my favorite photographs is - at the end of one of our local triathlons - our daughter and son-in-law running with my husband as he completed his race. Wonderful memories...
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Those memories are the best.
Comment from JT traveller
This is the best tribute poem I have read on this site. I will take a screenshot and look up the voting date as you definitely have my vote.
Thankyou for the descriptive and heartfelt author's notes. They explained so much. What a wonderful tribute to a spectacular man.
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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This is the best tribute poem I have read on this site. I will take a screenshot and look up the voting date as you definitely have my vote.
Thankyou for the descriptive and heartfelt author's notes. They explained so much. What a wonderful tribute to a spectacular man.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Jacqueline, for your kind words. I miss chatting with Carlton after our races.
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I am sure you do. He seems like an amazing soul. Jacqueline
Comment from Mintybee
This is a touching and inspiring poem about running and competition and friendship. Your author's notes are a welcome addition, adding some heart-warming detail. Your rhyme scheme is steady and your meter has a good flow. I think this is a good entry for the tributes contest.
Mintybee
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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This is a touching and inspiring poem about running and competition and friendship. Your author's notes are a welcome addition, adding some heart-warming detail. Your rhyme scheme is steady and your meter has a good flow. I think this is a good entry for the tributes contest.
Mintybee
Comment Written 20-Feb-2023
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2023
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Thanks, Mintybee. He was a special person.