It's so much fun to see people posting poems now and see who wrote what!!

I love the opening here, the ebon starling was such a gorgeous image, I really love how different it is. You tend to bring a lot of something "new" to the table in poetry and in your imagery, it's refreshing and beautiful.

"they'll make me a militant, mama,
but they won't gain my heart..."

This part broke my heart... Oh this part stood out from the whole contest. I can just picture this strong little girl, serious and confident.

I like how you wrote to both parents and gave them different sides to your emotions. I thought that was really smart, because it's usually how it goes when dealing with parents. :) This was really such a beautiful poem.

Amazing job, MaryAnne... This is amongst my top favorites in the 1st round.

I loved the most how you incorporated your mother who didn't believe in the soldier inside of you at first. And how you told her to pray for you... :)

Brilliant one!

"This poem honestly confused me upon reading it the first time. When I saw the author's note at the bottom that it was one of the poems written for the recent Hunger Games contest, it made so much more sense!

"they'll make me a militant, mama, but they won't gain my heart..." Honestly, in my opinion, these lines made the entire poem. They were so moving and emotional and whilst the emotion within these words moved me more than I can explain, I found I just loved the last part-it reminded me of someone forced to do something they did not wish to do yet remaining so strong and courageous throughout and refusing to change for anyone. There is not many people with that kind of strength and these lines make me aspire to be one of those people.

The sudden transistion from talking to the mother and then to the father and brother was powerful and emotional. It shows the reader that the author has several close connexions and despite knowing what must be done, they value their family first and foremost, which is not something you often see.

What astounded me the most was the 'unravelling memories for seventeen years.' Upon this, I checked out the authors profile to see if this was indeed their age and was literally awed that they had managed to write such an incredibly powerful piece of poetry!

"Live so I may defy." This is the other line I believe made this poem so intense. Following the words before this was just simply brilliant. Something that really makes as the reader think on these words and once I had turned theem around in my mind a few times it actually made me smile. It brought me back to my earlier definition of refusing to change for anyone but yourself.

Honestly, whilst I liked the closing lines I do not feel they hold as much power as the rest of the poem. It is still very moving and emotional and fits the general context beautifully, but I do believe the previous lines are much more intense. This is what I would think about changing."

;)