Comments received on poems by Matthew R. Callies
Before the Bark, the Howl
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this has a strong mythic feel to it… the movement from wild wolf to domesticated dog carries a quiet sense of memory and loss. The repeating lines give it a haunting, almost chant-like rhythm. Btw, wolves are one of my fave animals. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️
March 12th, 2026 10:08
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this has a strong mythic feel to it… the movement from wild wolf to domesticated dog carries a quiet sense of memory and loss. The repeating lines give it a haunting, almost chant-like rhythm. Btw, wolves are one of my fave animals. Well done, my friend.🌹🖤🙏🕯️
March 12th, 2026 10:08
Before the Bark, the Howl
Doggerel Dave said:
Villanelle form suits the wolf\'s existence perfectly - cyclic the way survival enforces, then the bargain with man.
Found this work (and work it would have been!) satisfying.
Great picture you posted there as a bonus.
March 12th, 2026 09:53
Doggerel Dave said:
Villanelle form suits the wolf\'s existence perfectly - cyclic the way survival enforces, then the bargain with man.
Found this work (and work it would have been!) satisfying.
Great picture you posted there as a bonus.
March 12th, 2026 09:53
Before the Bark, the Howl
sorenbarrett said:
Being slow, it took me a few lines to put this together. So nicely constructed and framed it tells the history and evolution of generations of man\'s best friend from wild to today. Loved it a fave
March 12th, 2026 09:38
sorenbarrett said:
Being slow, it took me a few lines to put this together. So nicely constructed and framed it tells the history and evolution of generations of man\'s best friend from wild to today. Loved it a fave
March 12th, 2026 09:38
When Words Are Feared
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this resonates with the feeling that books carry more than stories… they carry voices that refuse to disappear. Even when buried or burned, the ideas tend to surface again through those willing to read and listen. You captured that persistence well, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 11th, 2026 07:56
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this resonates with the feeling that books carry more than stories… they carry voices that refuse to disappear. Even when buried or burned, the ideas tend to surface again through those willing to read and listen. You captured that persistence well, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 11th, 2026 07:56
The Dash Between
Beth VanVliet said:
This describes my feelings exactly when I walk through cemeteries. I see their names and contemplate their lives. It\'s a stark reminder of our own mortality. Thank you for capturing it all so perfectly.
March 11th, 2026 06:48
Beth VanVliet said:
This describes my feelings exactly when I walk through cemeteries. I see their names and contemplate their lives. It\'s a stark reminder of our own mortality. Thank you for capturing it all so perfectly.
March 11th, 2026 06:48
When Words Are Feared
sorenbarrett said:
Thought control the aim of every institution, religion and government that has ever been. Maintaining control by banning or censoring printed, video, radio, or spoken word all under the pretext of being for the public good to prevent corruption of minors, protect rights of minorities and anything else that would justify what common sense, sensitivity and self restraint and respect should control. A lovely write and a fave
March 11th, 2026 03:30
sorenbarrett said:
Thought control the aim of every institution, religion and government that has ever been. Maintaining control by banning or censoring printed, video, radio, or spoken word all under the pretext of being for the public good to prevent corruption of minors, protect rights of minorities and anything else that would justify what common sense, sensitivity and self restraint and respect should control. A lovely write and a fave
March 11th, 2026 03:30
A Medieval Mishap
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this one made me laugh out loud…history has no business being this absurd, yet here we are. The poem walks that fine line between courtly dignity and absolute farce, and the contrast makes it land beautifully. A medieval debate ending like this…you truly cannot make it up. Brilliantly done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 10th, 2026 09:49
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this one made me laugh out loud…history has no business being this absurd, yet here we are. The poem walks that fine line between courtly dignity and absolute farce, and the contrast makes it land beautifully. A medieval debate ending like this…you truly cannot make it up. Brilliantly done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 10th, 2026 09:49
A Medieval Mishap
Doggerel Dave said:
Honestly I had no idea that politician\'s arguments over shit had such a glorious antecedent.
Many thanks Mathew for dragging me out of a well of ignorance (thankfully fairly clean down there).
I enjoyed the write.
March 10th, 2026 08:58
Doggerel Dave said:
Honestly I had no idea that politician\'s arguments over shit had such a glorious antecedent.
Many thanks Mathew for dragging me out of a well of ignorance (thankfully fairly clean down there).
I enjoyed the write.
March 10th, 2026 08:58
A Medieval Mishap
sorenbarrett said:
Clever wordsmithing and rhyme make this a wonderful poem and to cap it all off the story itself and the irony involved make it a fave
March 10th, 2026 07:03
sorenbarrett said:
Clever wordsmithing and rhyme make this a wonderful poem and to cap it all off the story itself and the irony involved make it a fave
March 10th, 2026 07:03
Learning the Shape of Better
Doggerel Dave said:
You have provided a poetic richness to what otherwise is sterile managerial gobbledegook, Mathew.
Small correction: I merely pointed out that the phrase \'continuous quality improvement\' contained ten syllables but cast doubt upon its status as an iambic pentameter. That you have gone ahead, interpreted that as a task request and succeeded admirably, puts me to shame as I struggle with those buggers and have a low achievement rate.
March 9th, 2026 18:33
Doggerel Dave said:
You have provided a poetic richness to what otherwise is sterile managerial gobbledegook, Mathew.
Small correction: I merely pointed out that the phrase \'continuous quality improvement\' contained ten syllables but cast doubt upon its status as an iambic pentameter. That you have gone ahead, interpreted that as a task request and succeeded admirably, puts me to shame as I struggle with those buggers and have a low achievement rate.
March 9th, 2026 18:33
Learning the Shape of Better
sorenbarrett said:
To become the road or vessel far superior than the contents. A lovely write Matthew
March 9th, 2026 08:52
sorenbarrett said:
To become the road or vessel far superior than the contents. A lovely write Matthew
March 9th, 2026 08:52
Learning the Shape of Better
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, the line about “craft is patient tending fire” really stood out to me. That image captures the entire philosophy of the poem…small acts of effort feeding something larger over time. It’s a powerful metaphor that echoes through the rest of the piece. Powerful poem, my friend, and another great rise to another challenge from our friend Dave! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 9th, 2026 08:36
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, the line about “craft is patient tending fire” really stood out to me. That image captures the entire philosophy of the poem…small acts of effort feeding something larger over time. It’s a powerful metaphor that echoes through the rest of the piece. Powerful poem, my friend, and another great rise to another challenge from our friend Dave! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 9th, 2026 08:36
The Night\'s Ledger
Doggerel Dave said:
I believe you really enjoyed that as you laid it out. I certainly interrogate my dreams (when I remember them) without any insight evident.
March 8th, 2026 16:48
Doggerel Dave said:
I believe you really enjoyed that as you laid it out. I certainly interrogate my dreams (when I remember them) without any insight evident.
March 8th, 2026 16:48
The Night\'s Ledger
sorenbarrett said:
Dreams are fascinating and still poorly understood. Freud tried, Jung tried, Gestalt self interpretation has been done and yet they remain cryptic.
March 8th, 2026 08:41
sorenbarrett said:
Dreams are fascinating and still poorly understood. Freud tried, Jung tried, Gestalt self interpretation has been done and yet they remain cryptic.
March 8th, 2026 08:41
The Night\'s Ledger
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what a fascinating piece…there’s a real sense of intellectual patience running through it. The way you explore dream interpretation without pretending to solve it gives the poem a thoughtful humility. A wonderful response to Demar\'s challenge, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 8th, 2026 07:25
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, what a fascinating piece…there’s a real sense of intellectual patience running through it. The way you explore dream interpretation without pretending to solve it gives the poem a thoughtful humility. A wonderful response to Demar\'s challenge, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 8th, 2026 07:25
The Sparrow\'s Unfinished Lesson
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a clever and beautifully handled response to Dave’s didactic challenge. The prose carries that earnest teacher’s voice…carefully arranging lessons and signposts…while the sparrow outside carries no footnotes at all. That quiet shift into the haiku lands perfectly. Lovely work, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 7th, 2026 09:49
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, this is a clever and beautifully handled response to Dave’s didactic challenge. The prose carries that earnest teacher’s voice…carefully arranging lessons and signposts…while the sparrow outside carries no footnotes at all. That quiet shift into the haiku lands perfectly. Lovely work, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 7th, 2026 09:49
The Sparrow\'s Unfinished Lesson
Doggerel Dave said:
Thanks Mathew - you responded to my request handsomely. Words have syntax, but other realms, such as the natural world do not necessarily conform. Message correctly received?
March 7th, 2026 08:25
Doggerel Dave said:
Thanks Mathew - you responded to my request handsomely. Words have syntax, but other realms, such as the natural world do not necessarily conform. Message correctly received?
March 7th, 2026 08:25
The Sparrow\'s Unfinished Lesson
sorenbarrett said:
Very nice I can see the blend here and it is quite enjoyable Matthew and beckons the reader to listen and interpret images and metaphor that seem to come in flashes. A fave
March 7th, 2026 03:43
sorenbarrett said:
Very nice I can see the blend here and it is quite enjoyable Matthew and beckons the reader to listen and interpret images and metaphor that seem to come in flashes. A fave
March 7th, 2026 03:43
Coin Return
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I’m genuinely impressed with what you did with that challenge. The moment you wrote “a smudged cathedral of delay,” the vending machine stopped being a machine and became exactly what the prompt suggested…a little shrine for forgotten wishes. And the closing image seals it perfectly…“a shrine of stalled and carbonated dreams.” Wonderfully executed, my friend, and I really dug what you\'ve done here by inviting challenges. It\'s a cool poetic exercise that you are pulling off brilliantly. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 6th, 2026 13:20
Tristan Robert Lange said:
Matthew, I’m genuinely impressed with what you did with that challenge. The moment you wrote “a smudged cathedral of delay,” the vending machine stopped being a machine and became exactly what the prompt suggested…a little shrine for forgotten wishes. And the closing image seals it perfectly…“a shrine of stalled and carbonated dreams.” Wonderfully executed, my friend, and I really dug what you\'ve done here by inviting challenges. It\'s a cool poetic exercise that you are pulling off brilliantly. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
March 6th, 2026 13:20
Coin Return
Doggerel Dave said:
I cannot see Tristan complaining about your piece Mathew, which has materialised the vending machine in all it\'s broken glory.
March 6th, 2026 08:20
Doggerel Dave said:
I cannot see Tristan complaining about your piece Mathew, which has materialised the vending machine in all it\'s broken glory.
March 6th, 2026 08:20
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 - 德马尔·德苏 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 - 德马尔·德苏 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
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