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This Poem was Submitted By: Erzahl Leo M. Espino On Date: 2003-08-01 01:44:29 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Chameleon

Watercolors Morning rainbows Festival tones - One chameleon A camouflage Protective badge Fashion icon - All chameleons Born pretender Endless pauper Skilled hanger-on - That chameleon Just eclectic Eel’s electric No commotion - This chameleon

This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2003-09-04 14:59:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.12500
Ezrahl it is nice to see this style from you it is very well written. I like how you give the reader the sense of the chameleon fitting into the color spectrum. Then your next stanza tell me that everyone will try and blend into the picture of everyday life. You then give me an individual that is just trying to hang in there with life. Finally you give me yourself that doesn't raise a fuss but is electrifying. Well done if this was your intent. I like poetry that speaks to the reader to dig and believe me this does in so few words. I enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing. Tom

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2003-09-02 21:47:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.82857
Dear Erzahl: You are the poet laureate of the haiku form on TPL in my opinion. And while this poem is not a haiku, it has the intense visual appeal, short lines and decided syllabic meter of that form. The title is very euphonic, and appeals visually, sonically, and intrigues with possibility. I couldn't NOT read this poem! (Even if your name were not attached.) Watercolors Morning rainbows Festival tones - One chameleon Your cadence of 4-4-4-5 is lilting and I especially love how the fourth line *transforms* chameleon-like into a sustained pictograph of what this creature is and does. (I count 'cham-e-le-on' as 4 beats, though for some it may be just 3.) A camouflage Protective badge Fashion icon - All chameleons Each stanza has strong but subtle sonar accents, variable like the animal of your title. For example, in S1, the emphasized 'r' sounds in the first two lines. And in S2, the clever slant rhyme of "camoflage/badge" is fresh, original. In the third line of each stanza, you pair the 'on' sound of chameleon to create a fresh, musical rhyming sound throughout. It's hard to catalog all of the delights you have in place in this poem. Born pretender Endless pauper Skilled hanger-on - That chameleon Love those 'er' sounds in L1 and 2, and the popping plosive p's of "pretender/pauper" as well. We see the human parallel of this reptile in your clever description of "icon" and "pauper/hanger-on." Very witty and also, very accurate, but not unkindly stated. We simply see 'what is' through your artful lens. Just eclectic Eel’s electric No commotion - This chameleon And last, my favorite stanza, because of the droll rhyme of "eclectic/electric" and the implied 'electricity' behind this magician species who changes before our eyes. This poem is wonderful in so many ways - but I think I repeat myself. For a gorgeous view a very handsome chameleon, I found this website: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/wildphoto/html/img0209.htm. Thanks again for this -I am especially fond of any nature poetry - and this poem qualifies on that front as well as on delectable linguistic feats. If I say THIS ONE is my favorite of yours once more you are not going to believe me. So I will simply close with - BRAVO, Erzahl!! All my best, Joanne

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2003-08-24 11:56:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.08824
What a viually pleasant piece this is , Erzahl! I love the splashes of color you paint the paper with in the first stanza. I think what you are saying here is that we are all chameleons in our own way. We are all so different , yet blend together. Some trying to just look like everyone else so we won't stand out in the crowd. Others pretending to be something they are not for their own gain. This speaks volumes to me in so few words. And the visuals I get are absolutely beautiful. This poem sparkles like a diamond. Thanks for sharing it. Blessings, Jennifer

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2003-08-15 16:33:32
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.12121
Erzahl, I like what you paint here and the colors and images are so bright and vibrant.....I get the feeling the last stanza kinda eliminates the chameleon though and that saddens me somewhat.... The lines about all chameleons to me is more of a social statement...... We all tend to hide behind some kind of mask do we not at times? Colors are pretty to hide behind as well......have I ever seen a real life chameleon? I wonder.......Also, some have a tendency to perceive others by their colors. nice structure, good word flow and metaphor works for me....be safe, thanks for posting, God Bless, Claire My colors are earth tone so I guess I just blend in with the earth and nature.......no one can hide there so it seems to me......

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2003-08-14 16:04:00
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.66667
Hi Erzahl, First let me send congrats for your success in last month's contest! Well done and well deserved! As for this new piece I must tell you that it captivated me at once. I read it the first time just to get the feel of the rhyme and rythum and a second time, as well. There is a poem by the name of "Justine" and for the life of me I can't remember who wrote it but it has the same cadence as this one, using the name "Justine" at the end of each stanza. Chameleon...in each line and each stanza you use a perfect description of the chameleon..."Festive tones... ...camouflage, protective badge, El's electric, born pretender (clever) no commotion, this Chameleon" I found myself wishing you had written more about this little fellow as he is mysterious and your poem makes him fun. Totally compelling and witty...keep writing as you have an obvious gift and we are lucky that you are sharing it with us. Peace...Marilyn

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