Comments received on poems by Matthew R. Callies
Sunday Morning, Birmingham
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a quiet memorial. The villanelle form mirrors remembrance…names carried forward, bells still ringing. By the time we return to “The church bells rang...the sky was bright and blue” it feels both haunting and defiant. The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church shook the nation and helped galvanize the Civil Rights movement under leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. History does not forget. And neither should we. An important piece, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 3rd, 2026 11:00
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a quiet memorial. The villanelle form mirrors remembrance…names carried forward, bells still ringing. By the time we return to “The church bells rang...the sky was bright and blue” it feels both haunting and defiant. The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church shook the nation and helped galvanize the Civil Rights movement under leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. History does not forget. And neither should we. An important piece, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 3rd, 2026 11:00
Sunday Morning, Birmingham
sorenbarrett said:
Man\'s hatred so reified that it raises above love, religion, law to rain death on the innocent. A powerful poem of sad history and a commentary on man\'s lack of social progress.
March 3rd, 2026 04:45
sorenbarrett said:
Man\'s hatred so reified that it raises above love, religion, law to rain death on the innocent. A powerful poem of sad history and a commentary on man\'s lack of social progress.
March 3rd, 2026 04:45
Sunday Morning, Birmingham
Doggerel Dave said:
I know nothing of the film or indeed the murder. Nevertheless your poem is a beautifully structured tribute.
March 3rd, 2026 04:08
Doggerel Dave said:
I know nothing of the film or indeed the murder. Nevertheless your poem is a beautifully structured tribute.
March 3rd, 2026 04:08
Echoes through the Black Forest
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this carries both elegance and restraint. The whispering leaves, the old bloodlines, the piercing gaze…each image builds a portrait of instinct refined over time. By the time we reach “And claims the wild beneath the fading night.” it feels earned and dignified. Strong, classical work. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 2nd, 2026 10:53
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this carries both elegance and restraint. The whispering leaves, the old bloodlines, the piercing gaze…each image builds a portrait of instinct refined over time. By the time we reach “And claims the wild beneath the fading night.” it feels earned and dignified. Strong, classical work. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 2nd, 2026 10:53
Echoes through the Black Forest
sorenbarrett said:
A poem of tribute to a noble breed of dog. Nicely written it places the hound in his surroundings for which he was bred. Nicely done
March 2nd, 2026 04:10
sorenbarrett said:
A poem of tribute to a noble breed of dog. Nicely written it places the hound in his surroundings for which he was bred. Nicely done
March 2nd, 2026 04:10
The Shell of Fulk Lake
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is beautifully crafted. The rhythm carries that old ballad feel, and “The Beast of Busco guards its watery home” anchors the myth with quiet authority. The atmosphere is thick, steady, and respectful of the legend. Well done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 1st, 2026 08:15
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is beautifully crafted. The rhythm carries that old ballad feel, and “The Beast of Busco guards its watery home” anchors the myth with quiet authority. The atmosphere is thick, steady, and respectful of the legend. Well done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 1st, 2026 08:15
The Shell of Fulk Lake
sorenbarrett said:
A lovely poem that captures well the beast that no net could catch. Well written in rhyme it is a wonderful poem a fave
March 1st, 2026 05:29
sorenbarrett said:
A lovely poem that captures well the beast that no net could catch. Well written in rhyme it is a wonderful poem a fave
March 1st, 2026 05:29
Accordion Skies
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this truly breathes… dusty, rhythmic, alive. That weaving of two worlds gives it depth beyond celebration, and the 2/4 heartbeat lands perfectly at the close. It feels cultural, musical, and personal all at once. The rhythm doesn’t just describe the music… it becomes it. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 28th, 2026 12:16
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this truly breathes… dusty, rhythmic, alive. That weaving of two worlds gives it depth beyond celebration, and the 2/4 heartbeat lands perfectly at the close. It feels cultural, musical, and personal all at once. The rhythm doesn’t just describe the music… it becomes it. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 28th, 2026 12:16
Accordion Skies
sorenbarrett said:
This poem sets the mood and I feel that I have been there. It is gritty and real and has the southwestern feel as if it had just walked out of the badlands. Nicely done I can almost taste the pepper in it.
February 28th, 2026 04:13
sorenbarrett said:
This poem sets the mood and I feel that I have been there. It is gritty and real and has the southwestern feel as if it had just walked out of the badlands. Nicely done I can almost taste the pepper in it.
February 28th, 2026 04:13
Bright Future Stolen
Poetic Licence said:
Quite a shocking and harrowing account of a tradegy and an insightful if not worrying reflection on our ever increasing broken society. Does highlight a positive with modern technology, and hopefully it means eventually these horrific crimes become less and less. Very nicely written.
February 27th, 2026 16:42
Poetic Licence said:
Quite a shocking and harrowing account of a tradegy and an insightful if not worrying reflection on our ever increasing broken society. Does highlight a positive with modern technology, and hopefully it means eventually these horrific crimes become less and less. Very nicely written.
February 27th, 2026 16:42
Bright Future Stolen
Doggerel Dave said:
The poem plus the two commentaries above constitute a complete dossier and need no elaboration from me.
February 27th, 2026 16:24
Doggerel Dave said:
The poem plus the two commentaries above constitute a complete dossier and need no elaboration from me.
February 27th, 2026 16:24
Bright Future Stolen
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this balances reportage and remembrance carefully. The early biographical details build promise, the crime lines land starkly, and the closing reflection lifts it into tribute. “a scar on Boston\'s summer” and “and waited long for truth.” give it lasting gravity. Respectfully done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 27th, 2026 10:50
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this balances reportage and remembrance carefully. The early biographical details build promise, the crime lines land starkly, and the closing reflection lifts it into tribute. “a scar on Boston\'s summer” and “and waited long for truth.” give it lasting gravity. Respectfully done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 27th, 2026 10:50
Bright Future Stolen
sorenbarrett said:
Gripping, shocking, sad, revolting and so is the life of the homeless, what genetics, deprivation, abuse contributed to a monster that went unnoticed until too late. The poem is powerful and a social commentary on broken people, one dead another a wasted life, and a broken society. Well done
February 27th, 2026 04:55
sorenbarrett said:
Gripping, shocking, sad, revolting and so is the life of the homeless, what genetics, deprivation, abuse contributed to a monster that went unnoticed until too late. The poem is powerful and a social commentary on broken people, one dead another a wasted life, and a broken society. Well done
February 27th, 2026 04:55
Ripples in Champlain
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I love when folklore gets this kind of quiet treatment. It doesn’t chase spectacle…it leans into mystery. The circular structure mirrors the legend itself…always resurfacing, never resolved. “Beneath the mist, a shadow glides.” lingers like a rumor. It so happens that while I live a very long drive (300+ miles) from Lake Champlain, I have never been there, but I have totally been to Loch Ness. Will have to make that trip someday. Anywho, well done on this. A fave for sure. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 26th, 2026 10:37
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I love when folklore gets this kind of quiet treatment. It doesn’t chase spectacle…it leans into mystery. The circular structure mirrors the legend itself…always resurfacing, never resolved. “Beneath the mist, a shadow glides.” lingers like a rumor. It so happens that while I live a very long drive (300+ miles) from Lake Champlain, I have never been there, but I have totally been to Loch Ness. Will have to make that trip someday. Anywho, well done on this. A fave for sure. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 26th, 2026 10:37
Ripples in Champlain
sorenbarrett said:
A mythical poem written in a ghost like style where doubt is left in hidden images. Well done
February 26th, 2026 09:56
sorenbarrett said:
A mythical poem written in a ghost like style where doubt is left in hidden images. Well done
February 26th, 2026 09:56
Blown Across the Table
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is crafted with real care…classic sonnet form wrapped around something lighthearted and kinetic. The rule about winning by two adds authenticity, and that closing couplet lifts it just enough. “The pinging sphere dances in the playful fight.” is a fitting final bow. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 25th, 2026 19:05
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is crafted with real care…classic sonnet form wrapped around something lighthearted and kinetic. The rule about winning by two adds authenticity, and that closing couplet lifts it just enough. “The pinging sphere dances in the playful fight.” is a fitting final bow. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 25th, 2026 19:05
Blown Across the Table
Friendship said:
The poem revolves around a table tennis game, focusing on the players, the ball, and the surrounding environment. It encapsulates the thrill of competition, the laughter of bystanders, and the precision required in the game.
February 25th, 2026 08:25
Friendship said:
The poem revolves around a table tennis game, focusing on the players, the ball, and the surrounding environment. It encapsulates the thrill of competition, the laughter of bystanders, and the precision required in the game.
February 25th, 2026 08:25
Blown Across the Table
sorenbarrett said:
A sport not know to me but sounds intriguing. Well written with good rhyme and flow just like the ball
February 25th, 2026 07:09
sorenbarrett said:
A sport not know to me but sounds intriguing. Well written with good rhyme and flow just like the ball
February 25th, 2026 07:09
Steel and Stream
sorenbarrett said:
Such a portrayal of industry both in mechanical and personal images. Very nicely worded my friend
February 24th, 2026 08:49
sorenbarrett said:
Such a portrayal of industry both in mechanical and personal images. Very nicely worded my friend
February 24th, 2026 08:49
Steel and Stream
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what works here is the structure. Gears, hammers, steam, conveyors…each stanza feels like another camera angle. Then you widen it to “machines and men, / a city of labor built in motion.” It honors the machinery without losing the human presence. Clean and cinematic. Well done!🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 24th, 2026 08:22
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what works here is the structure. Gears, hammers, steam, conveyors…each stanza feels like another camera angle. Then you widen it to “machines and men, / a city of labor built in motion.” It honors the machinery without losing the human presence. Clean and cinematic. Well done!🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 24th, 2026 08:22
Ode to the Biscuit Bringer
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this made me smile immediately. It’s playful, but there’s real affection under it. “The crinkle that summons wagging storms” is such a joyful image. My doggy was extra happy yesterday! LOL!🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 23rd, 2026 10:05
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this made me smile immediately. It’s playful, but there’s real affection under it. “The crinkle that summons wagging storms” is such a joyful image. My doggy was extra happy yesterday! LOL!🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 23rd, 2026 10:05
I Don\'t Want to Wait for Our Lives to Be Over
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what moves me most here is the restraint. The imagery of tide, shoreline, rerun flicker…it’s all soft, but it lands heavy. “We did not know then / how quickly the credits roll” feels universal, not just about one life. This elegy honors both the person and the era. Beautifully done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 23rd, 2026 09:52
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what moves me most here is the restraint. The imagery of tide, shoreline, rerun flicker…it’s all soft, but it lands heavy. “We did not know then / how quickly the credits roll” feels universal, not just about one life. This elegy honors both the person and the era. Beautifully done. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 23rd, 2026 09:52
Ode to the Biscuit Bringer
sorenbarrett said:
Cute in subject but so nicely composed in poetic form with wonderful rhyme. This poem conveys a sense of childlike joy with each line. It has energy, innocence, a warmth and tenderness. A fave
February 23rd, 2026 04:03
sorenbarrett said:
Cute in subject but so nicely composed in poetic form with wonderful rhyme. This poem conveys a sense of childlike joy with each line. It has energy, innocence, a warmth and tenderness. A fave
February 23rd, 2026 04:03
Ode to the Biscuit Bringer
Doggerel Dave said:
I had more than a passing suspicion that International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day was a figment of your imagination until I checked it out. Well it is a figment of someone\'s imagination which they\'ve translated into a full on web page...
Anyway there\'s not a greater expression of joy than a dogified version when offered a tasty treat, and you\'ve captured that.
PS: No reference back to my image please.
February 23rd, 2026 00:36
Doggerel Dave said:
I had more than a passing suspicion that International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day was a figment of your imagination until I checked it out. Well it is a figment of someone\'s imagination which they\'ve translated into a full on web page...
Anyway there\'s not a greater expression of joy than a dogified version when offered a tasty treat, and you\'ve captured that.
PS: No reference back to my image please.
February 23rd, 2026 00:36
I Don\'t Want to Wait for Our Lives to Be Over
sorenbarrett said:
There is a wistful nostalgia in this tribute to a face printed on memory\'s wall. Nicely penned this poem speaks of fond memories
February 22nd, 2026 06:07
sorenbarrett said:
There is a wistful nostalgia in this tribute to a face printed on memory\'s wall. Nicely penned this poem speaks of fond memories
February 22nd, 2026 06:07
The Graying Side of Life
Doggerel Dave said:
I completely relate. There are many lines I wish I could quote, but I\'ll keep them in the piece above where, in context, they belong.
However, just one:
\'It ain’t losing youth, it’s earning pride
In the miles you’ve walked and the tears you cried\'
February 21st, 2026 20:07
Doggerel Dave said:
I completely relate. There are many lines I wish I could quote, but I\'ll keep them in the piece above where, in context, they belong.
However, just one:
\'It ain’t losing youth, it’s earning pride
In the miles you’ve walked and the tears you cried\'
February 21st, 2026 20:07
The Graying Side of Life
Tristan Robert Lange said:
This hits in that reflective way that only comes with time. The shift from fearing age to embracing what it’s taught you feels deeply relatable. The chorus reads like a hard-won understanding… not flashy, just true. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 21st, 2026 10:57
Tristan Robert Lange said:
This hits in that reflective way that only comes with time. The shift from fearing age to embracing what it’s taught you feels deeply relatable. The chorus reads like a hard-won understanding… not flashy, just true. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 21st, 2026 10:57
The Graying Side of Life
sorenbarrett said:
A message that I can feel all too real. A most lovely write where the message is bright. Nostalgic and warm it tells its story well with wonderful wording my friend a fave
February 21st, 2026 09:14
sorenbarrett said:
A message that I can feel all too real. A most lovely write where the message is bright. Nostalgic and warm it tells its story well with wonderful wording my friend a fave
February 21st, 2026 09:14
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