Comments received on poems by Matthew R. Callies
A Valentine in Lead
sorenbarrett said:
Nicely written in good rhyme it sets the tone for the other side of Valentine\'s love. It is nice to have a balance. Very nicely written and for that a fave
February 14th, 2026 08:32
sorenbarrett said:
Nicely written in good rhyme it sets the tone for the other side of Valentine\'s love. It is nice to have a balance. Very nicely written and for that a fave
February 14th, 2026 08:32
A Valentine in Lead
Friendship said:
I remember hearing about it when I was young. Your poem delves into themes of death, betrayal, and the stark contrast between societal expectations of love and the grim reality of life in a crime-ridden city. It highlights the loss of innocence and the pervasive influence of crime and corruption.
February 14th, 2026 07:58
Friendship said:
I remember hearing about it when I was young. Your poem delves into themes of death, betrayal, and the stark contrast between societal expectations of love and the grim reality of life in a crime-ridden city. It highlights the loss of innocence and the pervasive influence of crime and corruption.
February 14th, 2026 07:58
Thirteenth Comes to Town
Doggerel Dave said:
In a town populated by suggestables Eli Pike walked free. I do believe that might be a metaphor I would fully endorse.
February 13th, 2026 18:52
Doggerel Dave said:
In a town populated by suggestables Eli Pike walked free. I do believe that might be a metaphor I would fully endorse.
February 13th, 2026 18:52
Thirteenth Comes to Town
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this reminds me of how easily we can be talked into fear… how a date or a rumor can bend the whole day if we let it. Eli’s steady work through it all feels grounding. There’s comfort in that kind of ordinary courage. This one lingers in a good way. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 13th, 2026 12:07
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this reminds me of how easily we can be talked into fear… how a date or a rumor can bend the whole day if we let it. Eli’s steady work through it all feels grounding. There’s comfort in that kind of ordinary courage. This one lingers in a good way. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 13th, 2026 12:07
A Queer\'s Defense of J. K. Rowling
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this stands in the discomfort without collapsing into slogans. The Patronus light, the broken bridge of nuance, the steady refrain…all of it builds a case for complexity over camps. It’s firm, reflective, and unafraid of the gray. I very much appreciate and respect this piece, my friend. As someone who identifies non-binary, I still love Rowling\'s work even though I very much disagree with her position on transgender and/or LGBTQ+ issues. There are no perfect artists and I am not a fan of cancel culture. I agree that we can, for the most part, separate the art from the artist, barring extreme cases. Wonderful job on this. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 13th, 2026 11:12
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this stands in the discomfort without collapsing into slogans. The Patronus light, the broken bridge of nuance, the steady refrain…all of it builds a case for complexity over camps. It’s firm, reflective, and unafraid of the gray. I very much appreciate and respect this piece, my friend. As someone who identifies non-binary, I still love Rowling\'s work even though I very much disagree with her position on transgender and/or LGBTQ+ issues. There are no perfect artists and I am not a fan of cancel culture. I agree that we can, for the most part, separate the art from the artist, barring extreme cases. Wonderful job on this. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 13th, 2026 11:12
Thirteenth Comes to Town
sorenbarrett said:
A fun read for the day. It shows good rhyme through the whole first part and maintained its meter to the end. The story one of superstition and its denial despite evidence to the contrary by the protagonist. Nicely done
February 13th, 2026 10:30
sorenbarrett said:
A fun read for the day. It shows good rhyme through the whole first part and maintained its meter to the end. The story one of superstition and its denial despite evidence to the contrary by the protagonist. Nicely done
February 13th, 2026 10:30
A Queer\'s Defense of J. K. Rowling
Doggerel Dave said:
Balanced form, well wrought poetry which I admire.
When it comes to content, I’m at a very slight loss here (The markers you raise via your title don’t affect me, so my knowledge is very superficial).
JKR became involved in a debate relating to transgenderism in which she takes an oppositional stance. (excuse the terminology if it offends). In what way does a queer need to defend her position, and what do you see as the trend?
February 12th, 2026 17:32
Doggerel Dave said:
Balanced form, well wrought poetry which I admire.
When it comes to content, I’m at a very slight loss here (The markers you raise via your title don’t affect me, so my knowledge is very superficial).
JKR became involved in a debate relating to transgenderism in which she takes an oppositional stance. (excuse the terminology if it offends). In what way does a queer need to defend her position, and what do you see as the trend?
February 12th, 2026 17:32
A Queer\'s Defense of J. K. Rowling
sorenbarrett said:
A powerful statement in poetic form. It stands on its principles and will not bend of be bought off. Well said
February 12th, 2026 11:02
sorenbarrett said:
A powerful statement in poetic form. It stands on its principles and will not bend of be bought off. Well said
February 12th, 2026 11:02
Useless, Useless
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this dismantles myth without ever raising its voice. Theatrical ambition meets “the slow arithmetic of consequence,” and the swamp refuses applause or debate. By the time he finds only sky, the grandeur is gone…just ash and a footnote. Stark, precise, and deeply effective. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 11th, 2026 13:19
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this dismantles myth without ever raising its voice. Theatrical ambition meets “the slow arithmetic of consequence,” and the swamp refuses applause or debate. By the time he finds only sky, the grandeur is gone…just ash and a footnote. Stark, precise, and deeply effective. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 11th, 2026 13:19
Useless, Useless
sorenbarrett said:
This is a refreshing historic narrative poem written from the perspective of the \"villain\" self portrayed as a martyr. With all the cleverly placed references to the event placed in this poem I half expected to see him raise from the mud. A wonderful poem that is a fave
February 11th, 2026 11:12
sorenbarrett said:
This is a refreshing historic narrative poem written from the perspective of the \"villain\" self portrayed as a martyr. With all the cleverly placed references to the event placed in this poem I half expected to see him raise from the mud. A wonderful poem that is a fave
February 11th, 2026 11:12
The Ballad of Banjo Paterson
Doggerel Dave said:
I like the term ‘Colonial Australia’ you have included there, as it clearly defines his era. That notwithstanding, his poetry is full of the good stuff, full of ‘lilt and rhyme’ and humour, two examples of which are “The Man From Ironbark” and ‘The Geebung Polo Club”
You have done Banjo justice in your tribute above.
February 10th, 2026 17:50
Doggerel Dave said:
I like the term ‘Colonial Australia’ you have included there, as it clearly defines his era. That notwithstanding, his poetry is full of the good stuff, full of ‘lilt and rhyme’ and humour, two examples of which are “The Man From Ironbark” and ‘The Geebung Polo Club”
You have done Banjo justice in your tribute above.
February 10th, 2026 17:50
The Ballad of Banjo Paterson
sorenbarrett said:
Beautifully written this poem carries the reader onward with the tale. It is a wonderful poem
February 10th, 2026 13:20
sorenbarrett said:
Beautifully written this poem carries the reader onward with the tale. It is a wonderful poem
February 10th, 2026 13:20
The Ballad of Banjo Paterson
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a warm, confident tribute…it reads like a toast spoken with genuine admiration. There’s an easy reverence here that never tips into excess. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 10th, 2026 13:06
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a warm, confident tribute…it reads like a toast spoken with genuine admiration. There’s an easy reverence here that never tips into excess. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 10th, 2026 13:06
Seven Words
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is thoughtful and sharp, my friend. You carry humor and history together without losing either. The piece feels both playful and serious in all the right ways. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 9th, 2026 20:54
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is thoughtful and sharp, my friend. You carry humor and history together without losing either. The piece feels both playful and serious in all the right ways. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 9th, 2026 20:54
Seven Words
Doggerel Dave said:
Many thanks for the heads up on George Carlin. The Seven Words was fun, particularly with the subtitles - surely they must have almost run out of stops and brackets. But there\'s more to George C than seven words....
Your pin is a great tribute as well as, for me, an introduction.
February 9th, 2026 19:34
Doggerel Dave said:
Many thanks for the heads up on George Carlin. The Seven Words was fun, particularly with the subtitles - surely they must have almost run out of stops and brackets. But there\'s more to George C than seven words....
Your pin is a great tribute as well as, for me, an introduction.
February 9th, 2026 19:34
Seven Words
sorenbarrett said:
Such good rhyme and flow in this work. Nicely done. I remember well George\'s bit on this subject
February 9th, 2026 07:53
sorenbarrett said:
Such good rhyme and flow in this work. Nicely done. I remember well George\'s bit on this subject
February 9th, 2026 07:53
Woke, but Not Awake
Doggerel Dave said:
Two terms which deserve more open debate are ‘woke’ and ‘politically correct’. You’ve certainly had a red hot go with the first, but the same questions can be directed at both where context counts, ie “Who is saying what to whom, when, why and to what effect?”
Found your piece here an enjoyable and stimulating read.
February 8th, 2026 19:12
Doggerel Dave said:
Two terms which deserve more open debate are ‘woke’ and ‘politically correct’. You’ve certainly had a red hot go with the first, but the same questions can be directed at both where context counts, ie “Who is saying what to whom, when, why and to what effect?”
Found your piece here an enjoyable and stimulating read.
February 8th, 2026 19:12
Woke, but Not Awake
sorenbarrett said:
A great message sent in the last two lines of the poem. Nicely said
February 8th, 2026 10:37
sorenbarrett said:
A great message sent in the last two lines of the poem. Nicely said
February 8th, 2026 10:37
Woke, but Not Awake
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this lands cleanly. It doesn’t reject awareness…it challenges complacency. That tension between posture and practice is handled with clarity and restraint. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 8th, 2026 09:51
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this lands cleanly. It doesn’t reject awareness…it challenges complacency. That tension between posture and practice is handled with clarity and restraint. Well done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
February 8th, 2026 09:51
Woke, but Not Awake
Demar Desu said:
A voice whispers, soft as guilt:
“Woke is easy. Awake is hard.”
Damn what a room shaker of a line, absolutely brilliant poem
February 8th, 2026 09:41
Demar Desu said:
A voice whispers, soft as guilt:
“Woke is easy. Awake is hard.”
Damn what a room shaker of a line, absolutely brilliant poem
February 8th, 2026 09:41
Gerkönernøckin
Doggerel Dave said:
How an umlaut and a mid-front rounded vowel found their way into a fictional nonexistent word is beyond me, but just to demonstrate how tolerant (??? - ed.) I am, I’m going to let that one pass.
The transition from reality into fond memory well delineated here.
February 7th, 2026 18:03
Doggerel Dave said:
How an umlaut and a mid-front rounded vowel found their way into a fictional nonexistent word is beyond me, but just to demonstrate how tolerant (??? - ed.) I am, I’m going to let that one pass.
The transition from reality into fond memory well delineated here.
February 7th, 2026 18:03
Gerkönernøckin
sorenbarrett said:
A great write where a word not found in English denotes a sense that many are not aware of. Well done
February 7th, 2026 10:30
sorenbarrett said:
A great write where a word not found in English denotes a sense that many are not aware of. Well done
February 7th, 2026 10:30
The Archer of Altdorf
sorenbarrett said:
A poem of tribute to character, story and ideal so well written in great rhyme and meter it does its job well a fave
February 6th, 2026 11:53
sorenbarrett said:
A poem of tribute to character, story and ideal so well written in great rhyme and meter it does its job well a fave
February 6th, 2026 11:53
Lab Report in a Cathedral
Doggerel Dave said:
And the debate so well laid out in your long well structured piece here will continue.
The only absolute truth I know is that we are here because we are here...
February 5th, 2026 15:01
Doggerel Dave said:
And the debate so well laid out in your long well structured piece here will continue.
The only absolute truth I know is that we are here because we are here...
February 5th, 2026 15:01
Lab Report in a Cathedral
sorenbarrett said:
A dialog between belief and science that covers many areas a give and take. Beautifully laid out as if there is a conflict between the two when in fact there is more unity than division. A true scientist realizes that science itself is built upon faith and belief assumptions that are the foundation of laws and religion forgets that in the testing of faith when it is disproved one changes their beliefs the method of science. We changed our belief in a Sun god to a personal God personified in our own image that we have twisted to say we were made in his image. A very philosophical poem Matthew
February 5th, 2026 11:22
sorenbarrett said:
A dialog between belief and science that covers many areas a give and take. Beautifully laid out as if there is a conflict between the two when in fact there is more unity than division. A true scientist realizes that science itself is built upon faith and belief assumptions that are the foundation of laws and religion forgets that in the testing of faith when it is disproved one changes their beliefs the method of science. We changed our belief in a Sun god to a personal God personified in our own image that we have twisted to say we were made in his image. A very philosophical poem Matthew
February 5th, 2026 11:22
The Laundry Chute Confessional
Friendship said:
Well written. Understanding oneself. Your poem uses the metaphor of a laundry chute to symbolize the act of burying one\'s thoughts and feelings. It delves into the subconscious, revealing the darker aspects of the self that are often ignored or kept hidden.
February 4th, 2026 11:27
Friendship said:
Well written. Understanding oneself. Your poem uses the metaphor of a laundry chute to symbolize the act of burying one\'s thoughts and feelings. It delves into the subconscious, revealing the darker aspects of the self that are often ignored or kept hidden.
February 4th, 2026 11:27
The Laundry Chute Confessional
sorenbarrett said:
A very deep psychological metaphor here Matthew and how well it fits. A definite fave
February 4th, 2026 11:22
sorenbarrett said:
A very deep psychological metaphor here Matthew and how well it fits. A definite fave
February 4th, 2026 11:22
Ode to My Own Unparalleled Poetic Greatness
Doggerel Dave said:
Satire of unparalleled brilliance. Deserves a large 24 Karat gold star !! The bee in my bonnet has calmed down for a while.
February 3rd, 2026 17:30
Doggerel Dave said:
Satire of unparalleled brilliance. Deserves a large 24 Karat gold star !! The bee in my bonnet has calmed down for a while.
February 3rd, 2026 17:30
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