Comment from Twomoon

Excellent

Mike, alas. I cannot six this one..boy I leave and you have become a top rank poet and writer..smile..this was an amazing piece of work..vision, talent and worded like a master.. I quite enjoyed your thoughts and your notes on this piece..you have an incredible depth that was truly captured in this work...have a great day, much love twomoon

 Comment Written 25-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 25-Feb-2008

This one came billowing out of me, I was resentful that the press reports that the terrorist's are celebrated as martyrs. Though its true in a terrorist eye, I really don't consider them beholding to a martyr. You want Islamic Martyrs, lets start with the hundreds of people that died at his hand. I view this a a matter of ignorence on the part of the press. What's new?

The sentiment is there and just the mention is worth a six to me. The poem itself has recieved 14 of them. I found that one to be scary, but I am glad that many people were inspired and hold my view. Thank you so much for adding your's and the compliments too.

Comment from diane24

Excellent

Hello Mike,

I can only assume that your have posted your
author's notes as an essay in the story section? If not,
get to it. This is a very powerful poem, well written
and frightening in all aspects. I sat on a plane next to
a man with a computer on his lap. He had on a suit and
flip flops and on the computer I was peeking at, there were
pictures of the UNITED STATES as a devil with horns and
writing in a foreign language. There is a whole story around this that I must one day post.......I was shuddering. While I don't want to believe what you have written, I know it is happening in our sad world today and there are unfortunately all kinds of martyrs out there. diane

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

Thank you very much for your compliments and this review, which I really appreciate it. I understand the mindset of of many Muslims and encounter it myself. Some people need an outside person or enity to blame. The best thing is to quietly set the example and be the best person you can. Obviously some people have no respect or shame, but at least his is upfront and he is left alone.

I only post notes like that if the line of thought provokes thinking and I want them to be related. Also I have very limited resources and if I posted them seperate, I would have to post them much lower.

Comment from azbukivedi

Excellent

Jeez man, why didn't you post these author's notes as a separate essay? It took three times as long to red as the piece itself. No, no issues with the content, mind you, but I feel the author's notes are here to clarify the main piece, not to editorialize on what terrorism is or isn't, or who the martyrs are. My two cents.
I did like the poem - it's very powerful.

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

Thank you very much for your review and the compliments. I leave it up to the individual as to whether or not to read my notes, that wa up to you. I really didn't do it to edtorialize, but to brings to peoples attention how I thought the media was misusing the term. Also to put a little light on the real victims of terrorism and tyranny.

Comment from daisyfly

Excellent

This is such a fascinating piece. Martyrs have such a strange way of thinking - ways that others can't even begin to understand. Thanks for sharing your thoughts at the end. Take care, and happy writing!

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

Martyrs are very dedicated and set in their thoughts and behaviors, usually dying isn't their choice in the matter. Like John the Baptist. Terrorists in my opinion, use this term to get other people to join them with that carrot and cover up their acts.

Thank you very much for your compliments and this review.

Comment from shy1250

Excellent

Powerful: color choice was inspired, reminded me of a bomb going off at night. How timely! Every day it seems a suicide bomber has gone somewhere, exploded somebody, and I think it's nigh impossible to not become hardened, or we'd all be lying prostate in front of our tv's, screaming at our own inhumanity. Fave lines: "I will see who I lovingly killed/ in my created carnage and explain/it in a statementthe next day". Saw no spag. God bless, shy

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

I like that we need to remain softened, but instead of screaming at the TV we must simply remember and understand. Thank you for sharing with me your favorite part, the compliments and this review.

Comment from rhymer1

Excellent

All I can say is #$^#$ martyrs of all types and definitions. May they all die alone and rot in their hells with whomever their bloddy gods are. We are all going to die. so I have little respect for them for chosing to exit early and disdain for them for taking a random selection of folks with them. Slainte, rhymer1

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

I enjoyed this one and it makes me think back. I delt with a Palestinian person and he explained his version of Martyrdom, to be honest, I personally viewed him to be a good person himself but the hatred that he held tainted his belief. I replied to him, "In a way you are correct, what better way to show God of your conviction by giving up one's life in an ultimate sacrifice. But I feel this is best done in a field alone and safely to avoid the taking of innocent life. Lest the end up greeting God first and explaining that they regret loosing their families that they were so trying to support." When I talked with him, I always used parabels or animayed speach.

I like him, but he tries to avoid me. When he was yelling to me about how people percieve Muslims and inult them, bestowing upon me a punishment, I yelled back, "How many Muslim ffamilies in this area. Fifty? Any them called the jihad house" No! Mine is!" He stopped cold and in disbelief said, "Wh---at! Who call you this?" I replied, "The police!" Because they realized I wasn't the problem and was very nice, but I and my house was openly threatened by teenagers, drug dealers and a county sherrif (courts) who threatened to put me in the system and shoot me saying that I attemted to kill him. He told me he had plenty of unregistered guns. His wife willfully helping my step daughter run away, I had a nice talk with his superior and handled it under the table letting them all know the next step would be with the FBI. When the Palestinian defended the rocket attacks, I mentioned that I ranged his house which is 900 ft away and politely suggested (not threatened) that he would not like his house being pelted by the one's that I make which legally go 2500 ft. Last he couldn't believe that a non-believer would be able to say this one. Picking up a broken bottle that was thrown at his porch he was justifably angry but indicated it was because he was Muslim and that God's law is dead! Absolutely dead. I aswaged his fears with explaining that who did this were just thoughtless people and its not like he has a sign [like the German Jews] that said he was Mulim so nobody knows. I picked up my fair share. "You say that God's law is dead. No sir, it surely isn't. God's law is God's law and it is up to us to follow it. It's up to use to decide to follow it. We don't have to, but we will go before him and know it anyway." I loved the look on his face and added, " A God fearing person is a God fearing person dispite how he chooses to carry out his religion, everyone will be judged on that first."- Terrorists are too blind to see or fear God, I'm afraid to say.

Thank you very much for your review, I was hoping that you would find this one.

Comment from Arkangel

Excellent

Good stuff man. everything here flows well to the climax of the signature at the end even though it is the title as well. You post script really reveals your feelings on the matter and quite frankly i agree with you. Terrorist kill at random. No rhyme or reason but to kill. Indiscriminate attacks do not a martyr make but to stand for what is right and willing to die for that is a true martyr. Everything else is pure selfishness. Dave

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2008

Thank you very much for this review, I appreciate this.

Comment from honeytree

Excellent

This a very well thought out poem.
Killing anywhere anytime should not be.
Peace full living and love should be at top
of any list of all religions.
Every one should be given the respect
to what religious group they belong to.
We seem to be going back wards
I WI
"o;[nstead of forwards.

Love is the missing word in the world today.
Peace would be the greatest gift ever to mankind.

honeytree.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2008

"We seem to be going back wards instead of forwards." I love this review and just about agree with that statement. I think part of the problem is in the reporting giving these groups the same weight as a sovereign nation. I believe the readership needs to inform the press that this impartiality is unacceptable. Thank you very much for your opinions and review.

Comment from BWitch

Exceptional

Wow. Absolutely amazing.
This carries a brilliant political/religious message. What an amazing mind you have.
I`m in awe.
Bravo.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2008

In this case, I can't claim total inspiration and I think is was the conscience over mind. Thank you very much for your review.

Comment from AWorkInProgress

Exceptional

I really enjoyed reading this.. in a sick way.
It reminds me of how power can sicken the mind of anyone. ..and then just give them a cause that they can proclaim meaningful(religion) and you've got mayhem or one sick puppy who announces himself a martyr.

it's too bad. religion it wasn't meant to be that way. Muslim is really one of the most peaceful religions there is.

the poem was well versed and full of wonderful imagery.
great writing.. on a topic I am sure most people can relate to these days. ~Kris~

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2008

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2008

I truely believe that because the religion came about as in one way or another they were travelers, traders or nomads and relied on other governments and faiths for their well being. Thank you very much for your compliments, review and ggenerous rating. The sick mind was easy for me, that was my mentality when I was 13, I came across plenty of adult fists that helped me think. lol