Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

solid use of rhyming couplets
I like your tribute to Tom Clancy - writing about one of his most classic heroes honors not only the man but his work and imagination :-) Brooke

 Comment Written 03-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2013

I thank you very much for this review, valued commentary, and the compliments.

This has been a sad year for me as there were three people I requested to meet, Ray Manzarek (Doors), Darryl Read (beat poet and punk rock father also worked with Ray) who asked that he meets me if he comes to the state and I suggested to the Sun Papers that a promoter bring both Ray and Darryl to Baltimore.

Tom Clancy was the one person that this could have happen as he lived here and caused quite a controversy when he filed a permit to install an indoor shooting range in his penthouse. I wanted to know the person behind the writing, and didn't want to track him down to one of his writing events, because I would only spend a minute shaking his hand and not walking away with what I wanted. He had concerns and trepidations and seemed more interested in peddling his video games.

All three died this year starting with Ray, then Darryl was killed in Thailand in a motorcycle accident. Tom sort of topped it off and it is very difficult for me to write these days.

The poem was for a Facebook contest on his page to get a free copy of the new printing of Hunt for the Red Oktober. He died a couple of days later, so perhaps he saw it but have a feeling he wasn't well enough to do so.

Comment from IndianaIrish

Excellent

A great poem to honor such an amazing author, Mike. I loved his Ryan character and he sure knew how to use suspense to excite the reader. I enjoyed your tribute.
Smiles,
Indy : )

 Comment Written 04-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 05-Oct-2013

Wow! I thank you very much for your compliments and this review.

There have been times I got to be Jack Ryan, tracking down a run away step daughter a few hair raising moments here and there. Working on my biography, as I found myself delving into topographic maps and satellite images; even making sure my memory is right, "Was it really possible a trail crew member really mooned a fully laden jet fighter in flight." It was, not to mention trying to nail some details down at a poetry convention.

Comment from Lana Anastasia

Excellent

I'm not real understanding of th emeaning of the poem, but that 's not because of you, it's the lack of my knowledge. To me it reads well though. What is a Theremin? just curious.

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

You can always Google Tom Clancy to find out who he is and I bet things will click once you recognize the books he has written.

A Theremin is an interesting musical device as it was invented by a Russian scientist/musician and is actually two antennas you play. One controls the musical not and the other they volume, it makes that weird sound that you hear in the introduction in Good Vibrations and is known to make those 50's scifi sound effects. The thing was, Leon Theremin disappeared from the streets and showed up once again as an elderly man roaming the streets of Russia, he was kidnapped and forced to developed the worlds first wireless listened device.

I enjoyed this review and thank you for it. Mike

Comment from mumsyone

Excellent

Your poem is a nice tribute to Tom Clancy. Good rhyme. Sorry to hear that all of the notable people you wanted to meet are gone.

Head of states (Heads of state) scratch their own deep in thought,

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

I thank you for the compliments, review and the correction. Mike

Comment from cheyennewy

Excellent

Hi Mike,

You have penned a fine tribute to Tom Clancy. I do wish you had met those three men you admired so much. You have a strong rhyme, the flow is smooth and the theme is superb. Virtual six! Haven't heard from you in a long time and hope you are well....hugs, chey

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

Doing OK, just got a lot on my plate, with my work schedule it is so hard to get good rest. I have to tell you this site is a wonderful boost and inspiration as a day doesn't go by that dosen't tell me my workds are valued.

I thank you very much for the compliments and this review. I do have to wonder if my inquirey to him didn't cause a possible spook inquirey as someone who looked like him appeard at a bus stop I passed, I was so tired I waved laughed and moved on. Love how that possibility stuck in my mind. I liked his Facebook page, but it was mostly about promoting his video games.

Always, a good hug from me! Mike

reply by cheyennewy on 03-Oct-2013

I am glad you are okay but sorry to hear you are still not getting enough sleep. You are welcome for the review but I was sorry I didn't have a six for you. Take care...hugs, chey

Comment from STEPHEN A CARTER

Excellent

Running silent, running deep;
Reminds me of a sub movie in 1958 starring Burt Lancaster and Clark Gable.
Jack Ryan,was Tom Clancy's version of James Bond but with more courage and panache tailored to the real world not one of manufactured fantasy and sexual excapades..

Well done. We will miss him.

Rsgards:

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

That was the movie I was referencing as it had both the gile required in submarining as well a similar theme of cunning. I thank you for your compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Cookie333

Excellent

Oh no, and you have not gotten to meet them. Well, maybe you could come up with a new and exciting list? This is devastating to realize your dream will not materialize.
thank you
karen

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

I feel in love with Jack Ryan as a character as I chose writing poetry as a boring pursuit to fill out the rest of my probation called life. The thing is despite not having the usual peril to my life and limb, it turned out to the the best adventure I embarked on, and there were times, I did a lot of intelligence type work with my writing.

I enjoyed this review and thank you for it and the compliments. Mike

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

I can see from your notes that this was one of those times when unfortunate events came in threes.

Your poem is a fine tribute, Tom Clancy, a man you deeply admired. It's quatrains rhyme nicely, and it's tempo is even.

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

I just can't believe this year and they are the only three I wished to meet, just don't get to much out of celebrities and really wanted to explore the man behind it all. I felt fortunate that Ray left a lot of material that seemed to come into my possession.

I thank you for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Maureen's Pen

Excellent

Dear Mike,
A well penned tribute for Tom Clancy. Great imagery and overall a work to make me stop and remember his life and his writing.
Thanks for sharing it.
Maureen

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2013

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2013

Wow, I consider this review to be a sixer! I enjoyed it and thank you for it and your compliments. Mike