Reviews from

An Ordinary Life

Reflections in free verse

36 total reviews 
Comment from Sis Cat
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is an extraordinary poem. The narrative arc from "the dawn of my ordinary life" to the "still twilight of my rather ordinary life" bind this poem together, providing structure and progression as you recount ordinary, daily details from a cup of coffee to constant heavy metal. At the heart of this poem the narrator muses "I never thought that my ordinary was extraordinary" only to later "see that my quaint ordinary life was more extraordinary than ordinary held." Your poem asks us to notice and cherish our lives no matter how mundane they appear to be. This is solid "sage wisdom" Thank you for sharing it.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 10-Apr-2016
    Sis Cat, I do apologize for just responding. Life has me so very busy. You always, always humble me. I consider you one of the best on this site. thank you so very much.. your fan always.. jimi
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
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Ah there's Jimi with anything but an ordinary life or poem.

Beginning with a run in the forest, or at least that's how my senses play it out is a fabulous opening.

I had not seen that my ordinary
is my extraordinary
in an ordinary life--perfect phrasing with this. How long it takes to realize that it's the simple things like coffee, friends and mail that make our lives so wonderful.

And nothing more gratifying and satisfying than children. Capturing their essence chattering while boarding the school bus is perfect juxtaposed the cardinal. The comparison to midlife as midday is a fresh metaphor as typically the four seasons are used.

Then the day arrives in afternoon when all the frenzy of child rearing and the horrible fears of sons at war and daughters seeking Cinderella dreams.

Then the peaceful freedom of older years. But still the darn body starts to complain. LOL.

In twilight, finally, deep sensual love is found. Yeeeeessss. And the ending just perfectly sums up all the ordinary that was completely extraordinary the entire time and actualization has occurred.

What grace, what beauty. An absolute top notch poem and I love it.

Gloria






 Comment Written 09-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
    and you are top notch and humble me greatly.. I just need to start posting again!!! thank you Gloria, thank you. It is an old post but one that fits me perfectly. My poetry is about the world which surrounds me, wish I could do something different.. again thank you...your fan always.. jimi
Comment from Domino 2
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh, goodie, Jimi, another haiku to review. Haha.

BUNDLES of top detailed imagery and recollections of NOT so ordinary events in your extraordinary life, particularly as a loving and observant mother.

Ant then, when you 'accept your lot' in later life, a flash out the blue re-awakens the passion and you fly once more.

Excellent - I didn't even notice the length. ;-)

Here's a sixer, my friend.

Cheers, Ray xx


 Comment Written 09-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
    hahahahaahahah my funny friend. you love my haikus do ya??? well let me tell you my future love, you are learning to natter just like me!!! I do rub off on you, don't I? Come on, admit it. I might be meter challenged and there is no teaching me, but you cannot say you did not try. Love you dearly even when you change names and run away from me!!!!!!! jimi thank you so much.... xoxoxxxoxxoxxoxoxxoxxoxxoxxxoxxoxoxo
Comment from Joan E.
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for sharing the stages of your "ordinary extraordinary" life, from "dawn" to "twilight". I admired your intense appeal to our sense of sound and your revelation about no longer being "reticent" to be yourself. Here's to love! -Joan

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
    Joan, once again a big thank you for stopping by to read and review my work.. Jimi
Comment from writeapoem
Excellent
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This is an extraordinary poem of an ordinary life found in the solitude of the forest. The lines were sublime, nothing written left behind. It was good as I thought it would be after after reaching line three. The flow of the rhyme slow but a relaxed feeling. All the best it stood the test.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
    writeapoem, another review from you. goodness, thank you so very much.. I am truly humbled.. jlsavell
Comment from AnnaLinda
Excellent
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Jimi,

Well, you have me in tears here. Before I mention the emotional impact of your poem, I'd like to comment on your extraordinary and unique free verse form.
And you said I had too many lines to mention...>really? Look at this masterpiece!

I surely enjoyed your beautiful imagery in your entry lines as the dawn of your 'run' began. How true that as we move through life we think everything is so ordinary, but when we stand back and look we see how extraordinary our lives have really unfolded.

I loved the part where you described how busy you were with young children and then moved through their childhood to watch them grow and become adults and succeed at meeting their goals. (tears)

Yes you have developed a sage like wisdom and it seems to flow through your pen with true light. "when my ordinary life was finding room for renovation,"
Like now? My life seems to always need renovation...but it might just be your point...we don't realize just how nicely put together our life really is.

Please accept my virtual six for your talented work here,
Linda

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
    Sweet Linda, thank you. You are very kind. And thank you for the pump. Just an okd poem Trying to gather inspiration. You humble ne. Once again thank you. Jimi
Comment from Pyrrho
Excellent
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I chased you logic through a few cut-backs and almost followed it to the finish line. You do make your point ... and it is all defined by your perspective. I agree.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2016


reply by the author on 11-Feb-2016
    Pyrrho, thank you once again.. I am honored.. jlsavell
Comment from stephenie khan
Excellent
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another beautiful poem...i feel that i go throu gh the same feelings every day...my life is different...my children are grown and i miss them...my daughter travels all over the world and i try to see with her eyes...and i am glad in the end that you found someone to share your life with...i really like how you compared your past with your present life and you felt even with all the every day things you felt your life was extraordinary...good free verse love steffy

 Comment Written 25-Aug-2010


reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
    steffy, once again your wonderful review and comments move me. thank you so very very much..jimi
Comment from MitchellScott
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The more I read about your ordinary life the more apparent it becomes that life is certainly not. I enjoyed reading this poem and the desire to self analyze the comes from it. An Ordinary Life is well written and well thought out.

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2010


reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
    Mitch, as always you are so insightful. Thank you so very very much my wonderful friend. Stop by anytime..I am ready for you to post again..where are you??????? jimi
reply by MitchellScott on 01-Sep-2010
    I have been lost in translation. Posting soon, I promise.
Comment from Judian James
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is superb Jimi (you already know I'm out of sixes, sorry) Isn't it extraordinary how an ordinary life can become extraordinary just by taking the time to realize and recognize just how lucky we are! You did a wonderful job with this one ... tracing your life and finding the true happiness you deserved. superb

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2010


reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
    Judian, I apologize for responding so late. It seems to be the way my life goes as of late. thank you so very much..and congratulations on your new book!!! I have yet to order the other book due to money restraints, but I am a little but freer now, so I will order both in a few weeks!!! again thank you for your wonderful review..jimi
reply by Judian James on 01-Sep-2010
    Hi Jimi. Please send me your mailing address and I will send you along personalized book plates for you!