Comment from kenjac55

Excellent

As a man I say to you we serve not to die but to keep others from dyeing.

I knew when from the title and the Art your poem by heart though I had yet to read it. You are not alone in your "remembering," for take comfort in these words of mine:I did not know your son, but in fact I did for I served with him years ago in another war.

We who serve never forget, God Bless and keep you.

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2010

And indeed you did dear knjac55..serve with him in another war;
and no lesss gratitudes to even in the loss of him; and so many
other brave young men. Thank you for your kind and empathetic
review, and your most perceptive thought and comment. It does
indeed bring comfort and appreciation. God Bless you.

Comment from BJean

Exceptional

Just wanted to say this is a beautiful tribute and poem in memory of your dear son. It deserves to place. It is well done with so much emotion and love. Nice poem, Ronni. I lost a daughter at seventeen in a car wreck, so I deeply relate to your sentiments. Love, Jean

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2010

Thank you dear Jean, for your kind review; I know you can indeed
relate to losing a child. Poem won 3rd Placd on FS; there were
so many other extraordinary entries; and 3rd place is gratifying
enough. since it never was a contest entry, but the Site entered
it for this one; surprised me! I am just as happy for all those
that won too. Thank you again for your empathy. God Bless.

reply by BJean on 26-Feb-2010

It certainly deserved to place. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Jean

Comment from Sandy P.

Excellent

Ronni, an amazing beautiful tribute to your son. I am so sorry for your loss, and applaud you for being able to pen this heartfelt poem to him. Your words touched me deeply and I just want to wish you the best of luck in the contest. So very very well done. God bless.

Sandy

 Comment Written 26-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 26-Feb-2010

Thank you dear Sandy, for your kind and caring review. Very
sincerely appreciated; and glad you appreciated the poem.
The contest just ended, and won 3rd place,(listed on front page
of contest news on FS.) There were a lot of extraordinary
entries, and to have even merited 3rd place is gratifying indeed.
Thank you again for your kind thoughts and comments. God Bless.

Comment from amada

Excellent

I'm so sorry, so sorry for your loss dear poet. Throught the magic of your words , and the love that they denot, I was able to know, a little about Jake. I feel honored .

 Comment Written 24-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 24-Feb-2010

Thank you amada, for your most endearing review. I sincerely
appreciate your empathy and gracious and caring comments. You
likely made Jake smile gratefully too all the way from heaven.
God Bless, have a wonderful day.

Comment from missy98writer

Excellent

Ronni,
My sister died at age 29 on May 2, 2003. They say time heals the pain, but its still hard on my mom and me. It was harder on her eight year old son Brandon. Me and my mom raise him. I'm handicapped so she takes care of me too. I see why your brilliant and poignant poem is up for the poem of the month. I'm reviewing all the poems before I vote. The photo is awe inspiring. Your poem brought tears to my eyes as I read it. Love the lines:

I still hear your footsteps in lull of night
still feel you home, caressed in my arms still
while sharing you with the The Divine One up above

Thanks for sharing such a heart felt poem. Sorry for your loss doesn't adequately help ease the pain of loosing someone you love.
Melissa.

 Comment Written 23-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2010

Thank you for your most endearing review. I am so sorry to hear
of your loss too, for you and your mom. Such loss and sorrow
never completely goes away; it just lessens in stages over time;
yet still certain incidents or situations bring back the memory
and loss as deeply as if it were yesterday. So I understand
how you and you mom likely go through this too.
I deeply appreciate all your kind and caring thoughts and
comments on the poem; and taking time to read it. Pain, after
all is part of life, and without it, we would never no limits
nor find and rely on our faith and belief in the Divine to see
us through. God Bless you and your mom.

Comment from Judian James

Excellent

I wanted to read all the nominees before I voted in the POM contest. This is a beautiful, loving tribute to a son you adore (no "d") Your mother's pride shown through in every line. excellent piece and my pleasure to have read

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 21-Feb-2010

Thank you Jude, I certainly appreciate your review. And yes,
there are a lot of extraordinary entries in this POM, and I
commend you for reading them all, as I did too. I am truly
touched too by your kind and gracious comments and thoghts on
this poem, and glad you found it a pleasure to read. Take
care, God Bless.

Comment from Ann Smith

Excellent

I am so sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful tribute for your son. One of the things we can do is not let the world forget the cost of freedom and write poems that remind. My dad was in WWII in Germany. I hope you win the contest. ann

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2010

Thank you for your empathy, sincerely appreciated. I was notified this was selected as a nominee for Poem Of The Month
contest which is still on; a nice surprises. This poem was
really a relaease and a memoir; and I thank you for your kind
words and thoughts. Yes, the price of freedom is always higher
than we ever imagine. Take care, God Bless.

Comment from findingmyroom

Excellent

First, I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. He was obviously your life's greatest work and pride, the same way I feel about my own son. Your poem is gorgeous, a wonderful tribute and powerful personal expression. Good luck in the contest, and thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 18-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2010

Thank you for your empathetic review, sincerely appreciated. I
am glad you liked the poem, and touched you stopped by to
read it and offer your kind and caring thoughts and comments.
Appreciate the good wishes, there are a lot of awesome ones in
this contest. God Bless.

Comment from Alison Williams

Excellent

I'm so sorry that you had to lose your son, but wow, this is a beautiful poem to your love, his love, his life and his sacrifice. No wonder it's a contender for the Poem of the Month. You've brought forth your emotion and placed it for all to see.

I think one of the more beautiful lines is below,

Today is your 25th Birthday, dear son Jake
heaven's angels now alight your Birthday cake

Good luck. All the entries for this one are so good, I'm finding it hard to vote. But no matter who wins, I think everyone here has superb work.

Cheers, Alison

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 17-Feb-2010

Thank you Alison, for your most supportive review, and all your
kind and graciou comments and thoughts. I am glad you liked
the poem; and so glad you shared your empathy. Indeed, there
are a lot of awesome entries to vote on. I appreciate your
good wishes. Take care. God Bless.

Comment from Curt Mongold

Excellent

Congratulations on your well deserved nomination, Ronni.
The whole work had me deeply involved from the start, as I believe any parent would be. Your desriptions are poignantly marvelous when you talk of the past,, and the pain of loss is almost unbearable to the reader.
Again, a well deserved entry, and best wishes,
Curt

 Comment Written 17-Feb-2010

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reply by the author on 17-Feb-2010

Thank you Curt, for this warm and empathetic review. Very
sincerely appreicaited, as are your kind thoughts and comments
too. Coming from you, is especially encouraging. Thanks too
for the good wishes. So many awesome entries indeed.