Name: Writ Encore (Signed) · Date: 01/12/14 23:15 · For: Harry Potter, Holly Tree

I would have reviewed this earlier, but I went on a search for the actual poem that you are using this writing for. I always give poems a few reads, step back, and read it again. I've never been a fan of poetry; that not against you, that four years studying Literatures. You have actually drawn me towards the genre. I've never read nor heard of this poem. Frankly, it reminded me of CS Lewis. The apple tree, of course, is an image that has been carried through for reasons I will not get into. Your simple word choices to write powerful imagery are donereally well here; the reference to Harry as a revered person, and here I'm reminded of Sorcerer's Stone when there's a reference to "Harry Potter Day", calls back something from the books. Why a holly tree? Is that just a holiday thing? This is my favorite line: "I weary of resisting, night and day." Well done, Vicki.

Author's Response: Thank you for the review, Kuri. Poetry usually doesn't get many reviews, so each one is valued. I too had never heard of this poem until it appeared on the list of carols to be rewritten, Potter-style, for the 2013 Carol Challenge. The new titles of old carols were given to us; we simply selected the one we wanted to rewrite, so I was not the one to substitute holly for apple. Perhaps it was just a holiday thing, although the holly did have religious symbolism for Christmas (from earlier pagan religious symbolism). Interesting that you say it reminded you of CS Lewis. I was not aware that he wrote poetry, though I am familiar with his skillful critique of Tolkien's The Lay of Leithian when it was in draft form. Those old lays inspire my style; they are wonderful storytelling and go on for hundreds of lines.