Reviews from

An Elementary School Memory

I think I was in sixth grade at the time.

21 total reviews 
Comment from Tina Crute
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This poignant memory blows me away. That's amazing that you took it upon yourself to memorize that poem and then started to love poetry. I think the Lord gives us love for these things that we love. I was thinking on that yesterday when talking to my hubby about poetry. It's like I have to write or I don't feel like ME, if that makes sense.
This was sweet and memorable:)

 Comment Written 21-May-2024


reply by the author on 21-May-2024
    Thank you so
    much for your lovely review. I appreciate it very much. I got serious about writing poetry after I had gone through my poor disorder and had to sort out my thoughts.
reply by Tina Crute on 21-May-2024
    Poor disorder? Funny how poetry heals us:)
reply by the author on 21-May-2024
    That should?ve been bipolar disorder
reply by Tina Crute on 21-May-2024
    Gotcha. I have family with that so I totally understand:)
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-I too remember reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poems but fortunately I not having to learn them. Well done Patricia for that very early performance. I don't think praising was part of parenting in our childhood days. Nowadays they are praised for everything they do, I think a balance is best. Enjoyed your story
Patricia,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 18-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 19-Mar-2024
    With gratitude I wish to thank you for a very nice review. Have a good evening and God bless.
Comment from BethShelby
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I enjoyed reading about your memory Patricia. I had to do a lot of memorizing in school as well. My momma had me memorizing poems and nursery rhymes before I even started to school but my memory was really good back in those days. I love poetry too as long as I understand what the poet is saying.

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review. I appreciate it very much. Have a good weekend.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I Googled and read The Village Blacksmith. That was quite a long poem for a sixth grader to understand and learn to recite. I'll bet you remember parts of it to this day. With all the work you put into memorizing the poem, I can understand why you would have a great respect for poets. Thank you the sharing this beautiful memory, and best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review. It is always good to get a nice review like this thank.
Comment from Baltimore Born
Excellent
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This is a well-written story. What a commitment as a young child to memorize the poem, and to stand in front of an audience to recite it. Good details throughout your story. Nice job.

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for taking the time to review my work and for your understanding.
Comment from Pam (respa)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Very nice artwork and story to go with it. I was a high school teacher for 29 years and always had students memorize when we did a poetry unit. You do a good job describing all of the work that went into memorizing this poem, and at a very young age, too.

It was a huge accomplishment that you should have been proud of then and now. I'm sorry your parents didn't verbalize their praise, but a lot of that comes from the nature of things in that time period. I'm glad you had a good attitude about it. Thanks for sharing it and the notes.

Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you very much for your kind review. I appreciate it. I had to go back and do some memory recall on this as I had originally said, I thought it was in third grade, but it turns out when I get my recall to going good I was actually probably in the sixth grade Because I think that was the last year that my mother was home before she had surgery done on her feet and also had to have a hysterectomy, so that was probably the year that I memorize this particular poem. And I was not quite 11 years old.
reply by Pam (respa) on 16-Mar-2024
    You are very welcome and thanks for sharing everything in your reply.
Comment from Begin Again
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It was quite an accomplishment for a young child to be able to read, enjoy, memorize, and recite Longfellow's entire poem. I believe our parents came from a generation where you were expected to do your best and praise wasn't needed, at least my father never told me I did anything well. I'm glad that your teacher praised you and encouraged your love of poetry.
Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review. I had to go back and change the timeframe on. When I memorize this point I was probably in the the sixth grade.
reply by Begin Again on 16-Mar-2024
    Still a big feat. Smiles!
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
Excellent
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My folks didn't go to a lot of our stuff as I recall. They both worked. They told us they liked our offerings and told us we were clever. But I don't have snapshots of me on stage, or reciting anything. I was in spelling bees but I do not remember my parents being there when I won. They were proud of me I knew that. My Mom told me all the time. It is a real shame you don't remember, but I am sure they were very proud. Nice clear writing. You stirred up a lot. Karen

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review. I appreciate it very much. I had to make a correction on this. I was not in the third grade. I was in the sixth grade.
reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 16-Mar-2024
    Have a good weekend sweetie.
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is a testimony to your persistence, Patricia. First for the long walk to and from school that provided ample opportunity to memorize The Village Blacksmith. Second actually memorizing the poem and third for delivering it without a missed word at the school program. A fine accomplishment for you indeed.

Very well done and I wish you great luck with the Contest Committee. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you for your excellent review. I appreciate it very much. I had to correct the grade that I was in at the time I was in the sixth grade and not the third grade.
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An excellent entry for the Non fiction Writing Contest. This was a lovely story and very nostalgic. I can remember memorizing poetry to recite as well. It's wonderful that you gained a life-long love of poetry from that experience as a young child. What a gift. Very well written. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2024


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2024
    Thank you so much for your kind review. I appreciate it very much. I had to correct the year I was in school I was in the sixth grade and the third grade grade.