Hello Jess! I'm reviewing Chesapeake Cove because I thought it was well past time that I review some of your writing! I'm so glad I visited your poetry folder! I'm not very experienced with poetry, so please accept my honest feedback and comments based on my perceptions of what you've written. If anything I mention here is off the mark or doesn't work for you, please disregard.

The Poem's Title: I think the title suits the poem fine; I especially love your tag line: The waves call us. The title might be more enticing if you actually switched the two: if the title was The Waves Call Us, and the tag line something like, Our special spot at Chesapeake Cove (but worded from your experience). Of course, this is just my opinion and something to consider–not any kind of deal-breaker.

Imagery: Your imagery in this poem is great. I can think of several lines that made me smile without even turning back to the poem (but I will to get the wording right ). Here are a couple of my favorite lines that really brought me onto the beach with you and lifted my spirits because I was able to feel your joy through your words: "you lather me up/in a pasty sunscreen" – I can see and feel the thick, white lotion–even the boop on the nose. As you run to the edge of the ocean: "pebbles gathering seaweed" is a rich description in just a few words – so well done!

         There is one spot with a bit of mixed metaphor that confused me: "I am like a fish/and you're like the bull/watching his favourite crab/explore her world". I completely overlooked your switch from fish to crab, but given the context, I didn't understand why you would refer to him as a bull. I wonder if there's a way you could clarify this, or change him from a bull to another land animal likely to be near a beach and likely to watch over you?

Theme: The theme as I see it is an expression of your love of being together in nature and the joy it brings you. This comes across bright and clear.

Overall Impression: I loved this poem, and I'm so happy that I visited your poem today. I needed a pick-me-up after a rough day, and this poem did the job well. The images of the beach, playing in the water, and the sounds of "seagulls laughing over head" gave me memories of my own to remind me of better days. I'm giving this poem 4.5 Stars because it was clear and focused with good imagery from start to finish, and the words stayed with me after just one read-through. That doesn't happen often when I read a poem. Great work!

Thanks for the opportunity to review your writing, Jess. Write on!



My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .