Down and Out
When jobs grow scarce, what do you do?15 total reviews
Comment from BermyBye50
Rod,
Congrats on winning the Free Verse Poem contest. Your poem is powerful and speaks to the devastating impact the loss of a job has specifically on men who were hard working blue collar workers of previous generation. It also addresses a future where millions will be displaced by the present impact of AI on the job market and the elimination of jobs no longer secure due to the reliance today on new innovative technological advances.
All the best,
Eugene
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Rod,
Congrats on winning the Free Verse Poem contest. Your poem is powerful and speaks to the devastating impact the loss of a job has specifically on men who were hard working blue collar workers of previous generation. It also addresses a future where millions will be displaced by the present impact of AI on the job market and the elimination of jobs no longer secure due to the reliance today on new innovative technological advances.
All the best,
Eugene
Comment Written 13-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Eugene, for your marvelous praise of my story and the congrats. I had not thought about the possible effects AI will have on the job market in the near future. Rod
Comment from mermaids
Congrats on winning the contest. You tell a true to life tale in poetic form. The reader feels for the father who is unable to find a job. Your poem reads like a mini movie. Excellent free verse form.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Congrats on winning the contest. You tell a true to life tale in poetic form. The reader feels for the father who is unable to find a job. Your poem reads like a mini movie. Excellent free verse form.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, mermaids, for the high praise of my poem. I usually tell this kind of story in prose form. Maybe it will become something longer someday. Rod
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
Rod, This a stupendous poem with the last sentence as the kicker. I didn't even mind sharing a third place finish when I knew this one was so much better!
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Rod, This a stupendous poem with the last sentence as the kicker. I didn't even mind sharing a third place finish when I knew this one was so much better!
Comment Written 12-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Verna, I am overwhelmed by your reaction to my poem. I also appreciate all those stars. I seldom write free verse, so this win was a shocker. Thanks for making my day with this review. Rod
Comment from Wendy G
A very sad poem depicting the plight of millions who are being made redundant by enterprises closing down. It does become emotional trauma as fathers worry about how to care for their families. Well written and very meaningful, with a an excellent image.
Wendy
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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A very sad poem depicting the plight of millions who are being made redundant by enterprises closing down. It does become emotional trauma as fathers worry about how to care for their families. Well written and very meaningful, with a an excellent image.
Wendy
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you very much, Wendy, for sharing and praising my poem. I seldom write free verse, but the topic required more latitude than rhymed verse would allow. Rod
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi
This is a well written free verse that reminds us how hard it is to find a job and how it effects your emotions and mind. It is a sad story of how big cities are deteriorating and more are jobless and/or homeless.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Good luck in the contest.
Have a great rest of the day and week.
Joan
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hi
This is a well written free verse that reminds us how hard it is to find a job and how it effects your emotions and mind. It is a sad story of how big cities are deteriorating and more are jobless and/or homeless.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Good luck in the contest.
Have a great rest of the day and week.
Joan
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hi, Joan, I will keep writing and truly appreciate your encouragement and high praise. Rod
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You are most kindly welcome, Rod.
Joan
Comment from Kelly Louisa Balliu
I enjoyed this verse, as it wasn't frilly or fanciful like some of the other entries, yet it appeared genuine and truthful and you felt for the narrator and 'daddy.'
It was believable and would also do well to be expanded into a longer story or poem. It depicts the helplessness people would have felt in this situation and the entire description is bleak, matching the environment in which it is set. I wish you luck in the contest :-)
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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I enjoyed this verse, as it wasn't frilly or fanciful like some of the other entries, yet it appeared genuine and truthful and you felt for the narrator and 'daddy.'
It was believable and would also do well to be expanded into a longer story or poem. It depicts the helplessness people would have felt in this situation and the entire description is bleak, matching the environment in which it is set. I wish you luck in the contest :-)
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hi, Kelly. I am delighted you enjoyed my free verse poem and felt it was believable in its depiction of Daddy?s situation. I usually write prose, and I am thinking of ways I can extend this into a story. Rod
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
I knew this was going to be good! The image drew me in but your verse reflected such nostalgia and poignancy in this succinct and free form. It's a delight to read. I'm trying to pick out a particular part but it all works for me. The description of your bike being dumped, your father's despondency, the old, decaying saw mill and then your finale with your father's future mirroring that of the mill. The best! good luck! Well done! Debbie
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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I knew this was going to be good! The image drew me in but your verse reflected such nostalgia and poignancy in this succinct and free form. It's a delight to read. I'm trying to pick out a particular part but it all works for me. The description of your bike being dumped, your father's despondency, the old, decaying saw mill and then your finale with your father's future mirroring that of the mill. The best! good luck! Well done! Debbie
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hi, Debbie. I am thrilled by your reaction to my poem. I don?t usually write free verse, so I truly appreciate all the applause. Rod
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
This is such a sad post and work is scarce then people do get depressed. I remember starting out in life and I gained employment easily and was never out of work, but many other people are not so lucky, a poignant write and a great entry for the free verse contest, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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This is such a sad post and work is scarce then people do get depressed. I remember starting out in life and I gained employment easily and was never out of work, but many other people are not so lucky, a poignant write and a great entry for the free verse contest, love Dolly x
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hi, Dolly, as you know I seldom write free verse, so I am thrilled you like this poem. Many thanks for sharing. Rod
Comment from Debra White
Hello :)
I enjoyed reading your poem.
The imagery is clear as is the feeling of hopelessness and decline.
The structure of your poem is effective, I really like how you broke your sentences between the lines for maximum effect.
Well written and presented.
Good luck in the contest.
Best wishes, Debra
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Hello :)
I enjoyed reading your poem.
The imagery is clear as is the feeling of hopelessness and decline.
The structure of your poem is effective, I really like how you broke your sentences between the lines for maximum effect.
Well written and presented.
Good luck in the contest.
Best wishes, Debra
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Debra, for this marvelous review of my poem. Rod
Comment from Ginda Simpson
You really capture the heartache and hardship of a failing economy and the gloom it thrusts upon its victims. Your descriptions of the growing grayness set the stage for the impending depression that follows. Well done!
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2024
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You really capture the heartache and hardship of a failing economy and the gloom it thrusts upon its victims. Your descriptions of the growing grayness set the stage for the impending depression that follows. Well done!
Comment Written 11-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2024
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I am so pleased you think I captured the "heartache and hardship of a failing economy." Many thanks for your high praise and that six-star bonus, Ginda.
