Hi Maryann ! I'm JS, and I'm reviewing your item: " The Autumn Gala " as part of my challenge.

Before I provide any critique, I'd like to point out that in order to provide consistent, fair reviews, my star rating are only based on objective items, such as following form, language used, grammar and spelling, etc. I provide my subjective opinion along the way, consisting of how I enjoyed the poem and my overall feelings towards the piece. Please look at the entirety of my comments below, and use what you feel applies.

Rating

Objective star rating: 5 - there is nothing I would change in this poem, and I can find nothing out of place. Technically, it is perfect. Though people often think haiku is easy to write because of its brevity, you obviously know that to be untrue. It is the brevity that makes it so complicated, bringing a deeper message within such short space and technicalities and rules for creating the poem. So I say, well done to you!


My Overall Impression

I enjoyed this haiku, though I openly admit it is not one of my favourite forms (primarily because I'm not very good at writing them). However, I recognize a good one when I see it, and this definitely falls into that category. You've certainly helped increase my appreciation of how to construct a good one, and it juxtaposes sharply with the ones I dislike - sharp and abrupt, with an unclear understanding of how to communicate the message as a whole, and no real way to allow the reader to continue on the journey in their mind. You've avoided all those traps and created a really great piece of poetry.

Creativity, Concept, Theme and Use of Prompts* *if any prompt was mentioned

I especially enjoyed: The creativity of the squirrels waltzing with the fall nuts. I watch squirrels all the time, and it had never occured that they would be dancing. I appreciate you bringing such a routine event into much greater dimension. I always appreciate poets who can take the everyday and demonstrate it to be something special and unique.


Structure, Meter, Form, Rhythm and Flow

I especially enjoyed: My favorite thing about this is the lyrical quality to your lines, which can be lacking in some writer's work. I find many haiku to be quite sharp, but yours is whimisical and sing-song without being juvenile or unpolished. It is lovely to read to both silently and aloud.


Language, Words, Grammar, Spelling, Length and Sharpness

I especially enjoyed: Not a word wasted! Leaves dancing through the wind is one of my favourite fall events (aside from the crunching under the feet!) and whether you intended it or not, the word "nippy" ties in the most understated, lovely way with squirrels - who are, in fact, quite nippy little critters. I've had to catch and release a few. They don't like that very much.

Final Thoughts

Normally I try to give some kind of constructive feedback that as a reader I feel would help the reader's experience. In this case, I'm afraid I can't do that . It is a wonderful read, with well-constructed words, a lovely rise and fall, and coherence to the subject and a wonderful attachment between all the lines.

If you have any questions, please email me. Keep writing!

JS