Comments for PoetryMine.Com

Comment on On a Winter’s Day by Edie

Edie — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:29:02 +0000

Another well defined picture of what winter offers - some good and
some not so good. In my younger days, I do recall having a lot of
fun in the snow and; in fact, one of the best winter memories of
my teen years was when school was canceled for several days
due to several feet of snow and friends and I rode on a 5 seater
sled tied to the bumper of a car and rode all over our section of
town. What fun! So your poem brought back some fond memories
and I enjoyed reading it. These days; however, I much prefer
the warmth of sunny days without ice and snow.

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Always great to see you back at “the mine” Edie.

Yes, there’s no doubt that those who live in the northern area of the northern hemishere, or southern area of the southern one, know that winter always brings both misery and joy. Like you, I have some fond childhood winter memories I’ll never forget, such as learning to ski in Wiesbaden, Germany at age 12 or 13. I wasn’t quite as adventuresome or daring as you though, never pulled by a car on a sled.

In December, 2008 a major snow, ice, and freezing rain storm in my hometown reminded me quickly that, also like you, I have always preferred spring and summer. It took me about 1/100th of a second to come to that conclusion lol. But for many, especially those that enjoy winter sports , winter is the best time of the year.

I’m glad you enjoyed the read, and I thank you for the visit and welcome comment.

- Eugene

Comment on On a Winter’s Day by Brigitte

Brigitte — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:53:01 +0000

I remember those nice fires in the fireplace after being out in the snow and cold. Thank you for bringing back fond memories! As usual, a good read, as I’ve come to expect. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us.

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Hello, Brigitte, and Happy New Year!

Today, December 31, is the perfect time for me to say “thank you very much”, not only for your visit and kind comment today . . . .but for all the visits and flattering comments you have made in 2008.

I’m very fortunate indeed to have you as a faithful reader and commenter, and look forward to more of the same in 2009. Always a pleasure to see you down at “the mine”.

- Eugene

Comment on Lesson From a Blizzard by Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:57:16 +0000

Appropriate poem for now!!……Hmmmmm wonder what prompted you to write this one? Another well written poem…..I have a bad case of cabin fever and wish this would go away!!! I would like to be someplace now, like Hawaii, Florida, Australia or Mexico!!! I like the hot weather better than cold!!! I am praying for a thaw soon and will be happy with just plain old rain!!! Thanks for another great poem I hope your next one will be about a heat wave…..I won’t complain about that!!

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Hi there Maggie, and welcome back to “the mine”.

As you seem to know, the entire northern half of the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, is one big block of snow and ice at present lol. Hopefully, it will begin tapering off over the next couple of days, just in time for January and February to come roaring in, generally the two worse months of the year weather-wise. As far as I know, only polar bears, penguins, and avid dyed-in-the-wool snow skiers and snow boarders prefer being frozen to basking in a tropical sun. I know I would sure rather be overheated walking on a beach, watching girls in bikinis, than to be frozen stuck to the ground lol.

Thanks for your visit, Maggie, and WARM words. See you again soon.

- Eugene

Comment on Lesson From a Blizzard by Edie

Edie — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:15:17 +0000

Well, I lilve in Georgia, the “sunny” South! However, I well remem-
ber some non-driveable ice storms which led to being house
bound and without power also for a few days at a time. It is
rare for it to be so severe; but it does and can happen. It is
funny, too, that when there is snow, the whole city almost comes
to a stand still and the case of not being able to get to work due
to weather conditions, is true as your poem demonstrates. It is
an amusing piece of poetry while at the same time, relates to
the true havoc that weather can sometimes play. Good poem!

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Hello, Edie, nice to see you back at Poetrymine.

Yes, weather is one of those “commodities” that everyone talks about, good or bad, but it’s something no one can do a whole lot to change. If there’s a snow and/or ice storm where I live, and drivers are having a rousing game of bumper cars, you’ll find me at home. You too, I hope, when you see those conditions, Edie! In Florida, people complain about the heat. I’ll be happy to take some of that off their hands right now. A double dose would be perfect lol.

As always, I thank you for your visit, nice and welcome comment/compliment, and loyal readership. See you again soon.

- Eugene

Comment on Lesson From a Blizzard by Brigitte

Brigitte — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:32:57 +0000

Since I now live in Florida, I laugh when I see the weather in other areas of the country this time of year, but I well remember those blizzard and snowbound days from when I lived in the Chicago area. The glee of having a day off does wear thin after a while. Thanks again for a good humorous poem that brings a smile on these dreary winter days!! And, as always, well written…as I have come to expect on your site!!

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Always a pleasure to see you at poetrymine, Brigitte!

Yes, I think there is indeed a bit of contrast in living in Florida vs. the Chicago area. . . that goes for all four seasons. And I doubt you see many blizzards in those Florida mountains lol. I read that Las Vegas had snow today. Hard to believe but, along with the recent New Orleans snowfall, helps prove the title of one of my poems, “Our Planet, She is Achangin’”.

Thanks very much for your visit and kind comment. “The Mine” always lights up whenever you’re here.

- Eugene

Comment on The 202nd Voyage by Maggie

Maggie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:05:22 +0000

Great story and you must of done a lot of research and reading. You get an A+ if I were a teacher. I think I remember this in history class in school but now it refreshes my memory. Another good story or should I say term paper!!

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Nice to see you back at “the mine”, Maggie, and I thank you for your visit and flattering comment. This piece is written in prose which means that, although non-rhyming, prose needs to have a poetic quality about it rather than simply a flat statement of the facts, such as you would find in a term paper or newspaper or magazine article. My way of accomplishing this poetic flair lies in my choice of words and phrases, and purposely long sentences with an abundant use of commas. Of course, if the prose is about anything historic, research is required to assure that I have all the facts, dates, etc correct, but it’s the presentation of the prose that separates it from just another news story. The news media wouldn’t be happy with prose, but most poetry readers are.

Thanks again for your kind words, and I hope to see you back at poetrymine very soon. . .a fresh new rhyming poem will be mined and posted no later than tomorrow, December 17.

- Eugene

Comment on The 202nd Voyage by Edie

Edie — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:44:49 +0000

It seems to me that it has all been said in the two previous comments,
so there is little that I can add except to agree that it’s an interesting
and well written prose. It is a history lesson in itself and with your
research, you are the teacher! I know I learned things that I didn’t
know before reading this. When are you going to consider to
submit your work for publication? Don’t you think it is time?

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Welcome back, Edie, and thanks very much for your kind comment!

I do enjoy writing poetry and prose about historical events that readers can learn from. And I learn from them too, because they always require research so I get the facts straight. I’m very happy you enjoyed the read.

As far as my publishing in book form, I’m looking in to that even as I speak (well, ok, type).

As always I thank you for the visit, and especially for being such a loyal reader and commenter. Always a pleasure to see you at “the mine”, the one where helmets with a big light on them are not even required. And I look forward to seeing you again soon.

- Eugene

Comment on The 202nd Voyage by David

David — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:28:33 +0000

Really an interesting read that appears to be carefully researched. Well done.

WW1 , the war to end all wars as promoted by US President Wilson, is yet another strange one. No one seems to know definitely why it was fought, yet it brought much death and misery to Europe and the world.

I agree with Brigitte as to Germany acting within the “rules” of engagement. War supplies were routinely send by ship by America to aid Britain. Any ship heading to Britain from America was therefore suspect and of interest to the German navy. And as your prose states passengers were warned of the dangers of sailing into a war zone. The US government must share the blame by using civilian passenger ships to transport war materials.

With your skill at research and writing you might consider writing a “little known details of war history book”. There must be tons of little known stories that could be presented in your entertaining fashion.

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Welcome back to “the mine”, David, and thank you for your excellent and insightful comment.

I have to admit that two of my very intelligent and most faithful readers and commenters, that would be you and Brigitte, force me to open my eyes and reconsider Germany’s “shame” as I called it in this prose. War is war, and if the United States was routinely using passenger ships to transport war materials to the UK, especially after the German Embassy in Washington warned them to not sail into a war zone. . .yes, I was wrong. The US was culpable and did, in fact, place the victims of Lusitania in a position of fair game. I will only reserve my position that killing innocent civilians in any war, by any countries,
no matter who the combatants, or the reasons for war, should be avoided when possible. We should remember that, even though the US made the passengers aboard the Lusitania legitimate sitting ducks, it was unknown to them that munitions were on the ship. I guess I’m just a softie that hates to see civilians killed in war, although they are in every one. But Germany committed no crime by attacking a ship carrying war materials to their war time enemy.

I’m fortunate indeed to have readers like you and Brigitte to point out where I’m wrong. That’s how I learn.

Thanks again for the great comment and compliment, David, and for your loyal readership.

- Eugene

Comment on The 202nd Voyage by Brigitte

Brigitte — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:42:43 +0000

Thank you for another piece of factual prose that gives me information I had not known before your piece. Being born in Germany, I kind of have a different view of Germany’s “shame” on the sinking of the Lusitania. It was a time of war for them and they had issued warnings, which were ignored. I think there was fault on both sides - - I, for one, would not have sailed into wartime. Anyway, the prose is well written and of the quality I have come to expect on your site. Keep up the good work!!

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Great to see you back at poetrymine, Brigitte!

I know I’m not telling you something you don’t know when I say war is never pretty. If I had been born a German and was the right age during WWI, who knows, I might have been on the sub that sank the Lusitania. That’s one of the ironies of war. . .the side you fight for depends largely on birth. My main objection to the fate of the Lusitania is that it was a passenger ship carrying civilians, some of them children, and not a war vessel. But you’re right, it wasn’t wise for them to sail into a war zone, especially after the Imperial German Embassy published warnings directly next to Lusitania advertisements. Still, it’s troubling to me that they died only for lack of good judgement. If U-20 had sank a battleship, I would say “that’s war, and it isn’t pretty”. I think the German population is, on the whole, an intellegent and industrious people, and let’s face it. . .if you have the misfortune of being in a war, you’re going to fight for the side you were “born into” and you’re going to fight to win.

Thanks much for another visit to “the mine”, your welcome comment/compliment, and especially your loyal readership. All are appreciated and I look forward to seeing you here again soon.

- Eugene

Comment on Almost Never the Best Answer by Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:22:31 +0000

Very good subject. I agree….war is not the answer unless, somebody attacks you, then you have to defend yourself. When I was a child during the Vietnam era, I remember a certain commercial. It showed that the differences should be settled between the countrys’ leaders and then it showed the leaders wrestling. I thought that was a good point and more peaceful way of settling things. Thanks again for another professionally written poem!!!

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Great to see you at poetrymine again, Maggie!

Yes, war should be unnecessary for any country unless it’s invaded by hostile forces. But, sadly, that would be in a perfect world, and the only one we have is far from it. Maybe one day all the various governments around the globe with come to their senses and discover that differences can, in fact, be peacefully settled. At least, we can hope and pray that’s the case.

I appreciate your visit and comment, Maggie, and hope to see you again soon.

- Eugene