Reviews from

The Soldier & Amazing Grace

I took an unexpected trip to Paradise last night

75 total reviews 
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Excellent
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Very good read, and I enjoyed the history in your author's notes too.Like the rhyming within some of the lines, it goes well in this easily readable spiritual poem. Something different. I enjoyed.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Pearl. I'm so glad you did.
Comment from Jackarrie
Excellent
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Hi Dean
You have written a beautiful poem in aabb style, so easy to read and also visualize your journey to heaven. It is obvious you have a deep faith.
Regarding the SS soldier, I believe so many of them were under the influence of Hitler, and eventually realizing what they had done, were distraught. Many committed suicide. God has been used to commit many atrocities.

Well done, Mary

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Yes, He certainly has, Mary. Just look at the Inquistion, and the many of the jihad, or "holy wars".

    Thanks for your kind comments.
Comment from STEPHEN A CARTER
Excellent
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CONSIDER:
I like it here, the air's fragrant, clear --
it all looks like love has just begun!

If the pic came before you wrote the poem, I would think less of the process of creation involved. However with that said, I do acknowledge the skill used in the internal rhyming that carries the work forward. An original work is always rewarded.

Regards:

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Stephen, I really appreciate your comments and suggestions, my friend. Actually, the idea for this one came from a dream I had, then I had to change it up a bit and attach an appropriate photo. In my dream, I saw Christ kiss a Nazi, right on the cheek. I don't know if I was truly in Heaven, or He was coming to take me home from a concentration camp, I can't say for sure. I can tell you that I watched Schindler's List before I had the dream. Hence, the changes in the topic of the verse, i.e., it actually being set in Heaven.

    Thanks so much again.
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Awesome.......................................................................................................... I have no other words, this poem is worthy of a dozen six stars at least. Thank you Dean for sharing your supreme talent with us. :-) Carolyn

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thank you for your amazing rating and kind, encouraging words, Carolyn. I truly appreciate that!
Comment from Writingfundimension
Excellent
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Thank you for taking on a very difficult subject. Forgiveness has to be complete and unconditional, something only Christ can accomplish in my mind. With our hand in his, and inspired by such poetry as yours, that gigantic feat can be realized. Very well done, my friend.

:0) Bev

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Bev, and this was based on an actual dream I had. In the dream, I couldn't understand why Jesus would kiss a Nazi, much less an officer of the SS. It could have been brought on by the fact that I'd watched Schindler's list that evening before falling asleep. Or perhaps, God was telling me to let go of some of my petty grudges. Who can say for certain?

    Thanks again.
reply by Writingfundimension on 28-Apr-2014
    I trust my dreams, as I suspect you do as well. An awesome story to go along with the poem. Thanks for sharing.

    Warm regards, Bev
Comment from Gert sherwood
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dean your couplet poem about the Nazi soldier and Christ is amazing.
It shows how Christ will forgive one who I believe sincerely desire to be forgiven
Yes it's 'amazing grace" like the solider said

Tears

Gert

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, Gert, and I'm truly glad you got the gist of this one. Thanks for your wonderful comments, and all of those shining, red stars!
Comment from Muffins
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Even before I read your mind blasting piece, the picture shook me. I've only seen it once and never found out who painted it. I would be grateful if you can tell me the artist name.

This is poetic and elegant. The powerful emotions are told in such a way that the reader does not feel preached to or lectured. Your author's note held a gem of information I never knew. Hitler's religion isn't talked about in the documentaries I've seen so I assumed he wasn't religious. Thank you for this spectacular work.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks for your kind review and most generous rating, Muffins. I got the photo from photbucket.com, and the artists name is Austin Burk, I believe.
reply by Muffins on 29-Apr-2014
    Thank you for the information.
Comment from padumachitta
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hell Dean A well written poem, and hard hitting. My family suffered pogams under Russia...and Stalin, let us not forget him.
But, it is the hate that never seems to get ended...that is what makes me sad. We did not learn to leave hate behind after WW2..we just sent it in another direction.

I think your poem makes a good point...I hope it gets well read.
padumachitta

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks, padu, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it. You're right, there is way too much hatred and bigotry still left in the world. Ethnic cleanings, horrors in Pakistan, Russia and far too many other parts of the world.

    Stalin too was a monster, I agree!
Comment from chasennov
Excellent
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"The Soldier & Amazing Grace" Millions of words had already been written about Jesus and also Hitler. They are both from a past era, but that would not stop words being written about them. It was a British historian who found that Hitler did not know anything about the holocaust, personally. Well done.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thank you very much for your kind review, chasennov.
reply by chasennov on 28-Apr-2014
    You are most welcome, Dean.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Excellent
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Very powerful in it's content. I love the way this was more about watching what was happening to others than it was about what was happening to "you" in the poem. It was a window to a better "you". Great imagery and very powerful emotion in the scene with Christ and the Nazi.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thanks, GWHARGIS, and I'm really glad you picked up on that aspect of this poem. Much appreciated!