Review Marathon Review (yes, I procrastinated).

This is really cute! It being a dog was so sweet. I like how you made that such a surprise. That was a great ending. I have to say the flashback seemed a bit odd to me. The transition into it anyway. It also seemed a bit wordy in places, but that's how narrative poems are sometimes. Still, really nice job!

This poem rhymed and flowed very well. I loved the twist that Jim was a dog--very creative. It only added to the sadness for those not remembered. Good work. :)

I liked the poem because it was really sad because ti was based off of war. I disliked it because I thought it was just a little bit too long.

Oh no! Doggy! That was so cool, cause at first, I thought Sam was a person, but then you mentioned he was a canine and everything made sense. Clever. :D I feel bad that Sam didn't leave.

Wow, the line: "Not only had Sam never arrived, he had never left" sort of brought goosebumps to my skin. It was a chilling mystery...

Good poem. Velvet.

I decided to go ahead and check your work out since you're beta-ing mine.

To be honest, poetry is NOT my strong suite. I can't crit poetry worth s.hit. However, I do know that there are certain lines and rhymes and all other things that have to make sense. In your case, it just feels like a story than an actual poem. While it's a nice memorial, I was a little surprised to find that there's a dog in this. Clever. Besides that, your rhymes are kinda weird and sometimes feel that they're there just for 'well, it HAS to rhyme--like a poem!'.

But then again, I'm the wrong person for that. Ask someone whose good with poetry to help you out. But other than that, good job.

~Snuffie

Ah! Dog stories like this make me a sobbing mess! I never even thought about the canine troops in the war, now I'm going to research them.

I must say this poem tickled my hardened cored known as the heart. Half way through the poem when I realized that Sam was a dog made me T_T.

I enjoy how you revealed Sam's identity. It was subtle, yet still very shocking. A difficult style to master, indeed. Keep up the good work!

(Also, I've been PMing you, but I guess you're not receiving them. I have established DocX connection, but I feel Email is more convient. It is ultimately up to you, but I think you can find my email address on my profile page.)
- pokedz48

That was very said and emotional, poor Sam. What makes this poem more depression is the fact that it is base on a true event.

Lovely and heartbreaking poem:)

Oh my goodness - how sad! Wow. I love the way you make keep it a secret that Sam is a dog until toward the end - I think it makes the poem really powerful.

My only criticism is that the flow feels a little awkward to me in some places. I think it's because some of the rhymes don't really rhyme (i.e. partner, learner).

Minor points:

Sam was a soldier, smart, fast, and handsome was he, --I think you need some sort of break or dash between soldier and smart - it seems a little awkward as written

This is so sad... American mistreatment of those who worked hardest for it's country, is sickening...

Your poem brought tears to my eyes. I saw a documentary on the vietnam war canines, and was horrified beyond belief. Thank you for writing this.