Comments received on poems by Matthew R. Callies
Coin Return
Friendship said:
Nicely written. Your poem focuses on a vending machine that is out of order, symbolizing unfulfilled cravings and the mundane struggles of daily life. It reflects on the hopes people project onto it, despite its inability to deliver.
March 6th, 2026 07:58
Friendship said:
Nicely written. Your poem focuses on a vending machine that is out of order, symbolizing unfulfilled cravings and the mundane struggles of daily life. It reflects on the hopes people project onto it, despite its inability to deliver.
March 6th, 2026 07:58
Coin Return
sorenbarrett said:
Matthew I found a treasure in this poem, whether intended or not I see it as a marvelous metaphor for prayer. Even the most devout believer would have to agree not all prayers go answered and for me I see them as putting coins in a broken machine where wishes accumulate. Antiquated and covered in dust of the past society has labeled it out of order yet people come with their change. Brilliantly written it is a fave
March 6th, 2026 03:41
sorenbarrett said:
Matthew I found a treasure in this poem, whether intended or not I see it as a marvelous metaphor for prayer. Even the most devout believer would have to agree not all prayers go answered and for me I see them as putting coins in a broken machine where wishes accumulate. Antiquated and covered in dust of the past society has labeled it out of order yet people come with their change. Brilliantly written it is a fave
March 6th, 2026 03:41
The Last Riddle Refuses an Answer
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this feels like a thoughtful answer to Soren’s challenge… the poem traces that long human effort to climb toward meaning, only to discover the peace that comes from releasing the demand for final answers. The idea of befriending the riddle instead of solving it is beautifully expressed here. A strong response to the challenge, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 5th, 2026 15:59
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this feels like a thoughtful answer to Soren’s challenge… the poem traces that long human effort to climb toward meaning, only to discover the peace that comes from releasing the demand for final answers. The idea of befriending the riddle instead of solving it is beautifully expressed here. A strong response to the challenge, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 5th, 2026 15:59
The Last Riddle Refuses an Answer
sorenbarrett said:
You caught me by surprise on this one. I had read the whole poem before I remembered that I had given the challenge. Not only does this poem answer the challenge but in so doing opens a new paradigm, shifting over time as the meaning of life does. So nicely worded each line Transends to the next smoothly and the reader is carried onward. A lovely write that I was ready to fave before I got to the end. Maybe some things don\'t have answers and don\'t need them
March 5th, 2026 04:26
sorenbarrett said:
You caught me by surprise on this one. I had read the whole poem before I remembered that I had given the challenge. Not only does this poem answer the challenge but in so doing opens a new paradigm, shifting over time as the meaning of life does. So nicely worded each line Transends to the next smoothly and the reader is carried onward. A lovely write that I was ready to fave before I got to the end. Maybe some things don\'t have answers and don\'t need them
March 5th, 2026 04:26
The Last Riddle Refuses an Answer
Doggerel Dave said:
Agreed - \'the meaning of life is unknowable\' 👍
You have managed to make a quest out of your attempt to find life\'s meaning which has resulted in a rich journey for me, the reader, Thanks.
March 5th, 2026 00:54
Doggerel Dave said:
Agreed - \'the meaning of life is unknowable\' 👍
You have managed to make a quest out of your attempt to find life\'s meaning which has resulted in a rich journey for me, the reader, Thanks.
March 5th, 2026 00:54
The Last Riddle Refuses an Answer
Demar Desu said:
Soren is out here creating challenges?!
Well I challenge you to make a poem about the meaning of dreams
Also great poem
March 5th, 2026 00:38
Demar Desu said:
Soren is out here creating challenges?!
Well I challenge you to make a poem about the meaning of dreams
Also great poem
March 5th, 2026 00:38
Dare Me the Difficult Thing
Doggerel Dave said:
Category \'didactic\': \"Good Prose First, Then Poetry\"
March 5th, 2026 00:14
Doggerel Dave said:
Category \'didactic\': \"Good Prose First, Then Poetry\"
March 5th, 2026 00:14
Dare Me the Difficult Thing
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I really like the line about statistics bent like light… that image caught me immediately. The poem feels playful but also serious about the craft. Since you invited challenges, try this: a sonnet about a broken vending machine that becomes a shrine for small forgotten wishes. I’d love to see what you do with that. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 4th, 2026 13:03
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I really like the line about statistics bent like light… that image caught me immediately. The poem feels playful but also serious about the craft. Since you invited challenges, try this: a sonnet about a broken vending machine that becomes a shrine for small forgotten wishes. I’d love to see what you do with that. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 4th, 2026 13:03
Dare Me the Difficult Thing
sorenbarrett said:
I agree Matthew any object or word can be made a poem. Let\'s start big instead of small \"The meaning of life\"
March 4th, 2026 08:50
sorenbarrett said:
I agree Matthew any object or word can be made a poem. Let\'s start big instead of small \"The meaning of life\"
March 4th, 2026 08:50
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
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