The Darkest Door
War is Hell...64 total reviews
Comment from johnwilson
Aw fuck, you took one of my sixes again. Man, this is so profound and chilling! Why?! This is one of the many reasons that I'm a loner....I said many.....Are your books for sale?! Can you autograph this one for me? This is more of a bowing at the feet of kinda thing than an actual review. There are really no words to describe this excellent piece against war....I think its all been said and then I read this!!!! Please let me know about the autograph, fellow writer!
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2016
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Aw fuck, you took one of my sixes again. Man, this is so profound and chilling! Why?! This is one of the many reasons that I'm a loner....I said many.....Are your books for sale?! Can you autograph this one for me? This is more of a bowing at the feet of kinda thing than an actual review. There are really no words to describe this excellent piece against war....I think its all been said and then I read this!!!! Please let me know about the autograph, fellow writer!
Comment Written 18-Jun-2016
reply by the author on 18-Jun-2016
Comment from francisregis
Hello. I see that by your age, you were never in Vietnam, so I am assuming, (please forgive the assumption,) that you are writing about someone who was, or perhaps your writing stems from the many true varied stories .
My father was in WWII, an Army Air Force top turret gunner in a B-24.He was just 18 when he was drafted, and sent to the Atlantic theater, Though his war was much more favored than Vietnam, being of the regarded Greatest Generation, it was still terrible. He told us stories of his agony and the horrible things he saw, when we were older. My point is that, Vietnam was not a popular war, and that is a such a stupid thing to say, as if a war is popular, but sadly, horribly, that is true.
I think that you meant well when you spoke about the suicide rate among Vietnam War Veterans, but your facts don't add up all the way. Any one aged 40 to 60 was not old enough to be in service from 1964 to 1975. They would have been born from 1955 to 1975.
I think that your poem sums up the horror extremely well, for someone who was not in it, and that would include me. I think what is important is to let people see how horrible war is, that no-one wins, not really. If you have a conscience, how can you let go of what you may or may not have done? Vietnam does not have ownership of that, Korea came first, although Vietnam seems to have ownership of the irregularity of an undeclared war by Congress.
Your poem speaks well to the horror and to the duty or rigid obedience that combat demands for survival. " Darkness whispers in my ear, Come on Marine,
you have nothin' to fear" . I cannot imagine being in Combat like so may are, soldiers or civilians or the innocents.
I think that your poem did well to demonstrate war everywhere and the insensibility of it.
Lastly, I do not like a lot of pictures with poems, but I do think that some of yours lent themselves well to the words. Thank you.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 05-May-2015
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Hello. I see that by your age, you were never in Vietnam, so I am assuming, (please forgive the assumption,) that you are writing about someone who was, or perhaps your writing stems from the many true varied stories .
My father was in WWII, an Army Air Force top turret gunner in a B-24.He was just 18 when he was drafted, and sent to the Atlantic theater, Though his war was much more favored than Vietnam, being of the regarded Greatest Generation, it was still terrible. He told us stories of his agony and the horrible things he saw, when we were older. My point is that, Vietnam was not a popular war, and that is a such a stupid thing to say, as if a war is popular, but sadly, horribly, that is true.
I think that you meant well when you spoke about the suicide rate among Vietnam War Veterans, but your facts don't add up all the way. Any one aged 40 to 60 was not old enough to be in service from 1964 to 1975. They would have been born from 1955 to 1975.
I think that your poem sums up the horror extremely well, for someone who was not in it, and that would include me. I think what is important is to let people see how horrible war is, that no-one wins, not really. If you have a conscience, how can you let go of what you may or may not have done? Vietnam does not have ownership of that, Korea came first, although Vietnam seems to have ownership of the irregularity of an undeclared war by Congress.
Your poem speaks well to the horror and to the duty or rigid obedience that combat demands for survival. " Darkness whispers in my ear, Come on Marine,
you have nothin' to fear" . I cannot imagine being in Combat like so may are, soldiers or civilians or the innocents.
I think that your poem did well to demonstrate war everywhere and the insensibility of it.
Lastly, I do not like a lot of pictures with poems, but I do think that some of yours lent themselves well to the words. Thank you.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 05-May-2015
reply by the author on 05-May-2015
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You're right, I was never in Vietnam, but many of my relatives were. I have two uncles who died in that country. I was a Marine Corps sniper for four years, attached to the Third Marines in a recon unit. I saw service in Granada, and spent some time assisting the hostages in Operation Eagle during the Iran hostage crisis.
Lastly, while I certainly appreciate your right to like and dislike what you wish, I will continue to do my own form of poetic expression regardless.
Thank you for your time...
Comment from benoenose
Why this risk the post ask us. The poet is fed up with the war zone, no comfort, no care, butchered like animals, the precious souls.
War is cruel, though it sounds freedom for some the other side is butchery.
A melancholy tone spreads through the poem with lamentation the theme of the poem. Recommended for all those who love care for war victims.
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2015
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Why this risk the post ask us. The poet is fed up with the war zone, no comfort, no care, butchered like animals, the precious souls.
War is cruel, though it sounds freedom for some the other side is butchery.
A melancholy tone spreads through the poem with lamentation the theme of the poem. Recommended for all those who love care for war victims.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2015
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Thanks for digging this up, dusting it off and having a go at it, benoenose. Your review is very much appreciated...
Comment from ragamuffin
Heartbreaking. Sitting here with tears in my eyes wondering how a society that's existed and grown for thousands of years can't seem to figure out that war is a bad thing. I guess greed, for wealth and for power, never goes out of style. Desire for domination is a sickness that is quite fatal. Your words and presentation reach right off the page into the reader's mind and soul.
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Heartbreaking. Sitting here with tears in my eyes wondering how a society that's existed and grown for thousands of years can't seem to figure out that war is a bad thing. I guess greed, for wealth and for power, never goes out of style. Desire for domination is a sickness that is quite fatal. Your words and presentation reach right off the page into the reader's mind and soul.
Comment Written 20-May-2014
Comment from LYLE
Well, Dean, thee is certainly nothing superficial in this work. It is fantastically accurate and real. Of all of the wars that we have fought, I believe that Vietnam was the personification of absolute evil and Hell. I have several friends who did more than one tour in those jungles.
When I would ask "Why?" the answers were always the same: they were professionals and that was their job. Of course, everyone of them suffers from some mental disorder. If they were to read this poem, they would have to retreat into seclusion for a few hours. Your poem is a powerful statement and an excellent description. Thank you for referring it to me.
Sincerely, Lyle
reply by the author on 19-May-2014
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Well, Dean, thee is certainly nothing superficial in this work. It is fantastically accurate and real. Of all of the wars that we have fought, I believe that Vietnam was the personification of absolute evil and Hell. I have several friends who did more than one tour in those jungles.
When I would ask "Why?" the answers were always the same: they were professionals and that was their job. Of course, everyone of them suffers from some mental disorder. If they were to read this poem, they would have to retreat into seclusion for a few hours. Your poem is a powerful statement and an excellent description. Thank you for referring it to me.
Sincerely, Lyle
Comment Written 19-May-2014
reply by the author on 19-May-2014
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I sincerely thank you for giving it a chance and reading & reviewing it for me, Lyle. You seem very knowledgeable on the subject, and I felt if anyone felt it came across as hokey and contrite, instead of genuinely heart breaking as I'd intended it to be, that it would be you, and you would certainly let me know about it. I'm pleased to know the you felt the genuine feelings that went into producing this, and I thank you for that.
Write on, my friend...right on!
Comment from alexgeorge
This has truly moved me, Dean, and I am glad you have recognised the true face of war, my friend. But, from a down-to-earth writer like you I would expect no less. Our leaders glorify the ugly things in life in order to brain wash the masses to do their bidding.
What is the opposite of love, happiness, giving, spreading joy?
In one word: war, and everything connected to it.
How can a human being, God's creation that likes to think of itself as above the beasts, be the only living creature that turns on its own kind to hurt, maim or kill?
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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This has truly moved me, Dean, and I am glad you have recognised the true face of war, my friend. But, from a down-to-earth writer like you I would expect no less. Our leaders glorify the ugly things in life in order to brain wash the masses to do their bidding.
What is the opposite of love, happiness, giving, spreading joy?
In one word: war, and everything connected to it.
How can a human being, God's creation that likes to think of itself as above the beasts, be the only living creature that turns on its own kind to hurt, maim or kill?
Comment Written 18-May-2014
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Thanks very much, Alex, and I have asked those same questions probably a million times, my dear friend. It's hard to say why mankind chooses to do the horrid things he does. And yet, he does so, again, and again, and again...
I really appreciate you giving me your opinions on this one, and for those extra stars as well!
Comment from lancellot
Damn, first off the internal rhymes are perfect for this piece, and the theme of what is happening behind the door of this soldiers mind is a stark reminder that war is a hell that never ends. Great job.
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Damn, first off the internal rhymes are perfect for this piece, and the theme of what is happening behind the door of this soldiers mind is a stark reminder that war is a hell that never ends. Great job.
Comment Written 15-May-2014
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Thanks so much for your wonderful review, rating and assessment of this poem, Lance. I really appreciate each and every point you made.
Comment from JB Lynn
An incredible piece that brings attention to something that should really be a bigger concern to more folks. I appreciated the background and statistics you provided in the Author Notes. One of my favorite things about your work is how effectively you use the Author Notes portion to add to your work, rather than "explain" it. Kind of like if your poem was a photo, you treat the Author Notes like the mat to frame that photo. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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An incredible piece that brings attention to something that should really be a bigger concern to more folks. I appreciated the background and statistics you provided in the Author Notes. One of my favorite things about your work is how effectively you use the Author Notes portion to add to your work, rather than "explain" it. Kind of like if your poem was a photo, you treat the Author Notes like the mat to frame that photo. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 15-May-2014
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Thanks, JB Lynn. That's one of the best compliments on my author's notes I believe I've ever had.
I find myself at a great disadvantage when entering prompts which don't allow them. I do like to use them as a spring board for the poetry or prose.
Thanks so much again, for everything that you said. i truly appreciate your support!
Comment from joeakeefe
Fought in the mountains and deserts of the Middle East over misplaced "adventure' in saving the world" is bring to our shores similar issues as the one that is central to this piece of poetry. We backed the French in the late forties and early fifties when we should have back Ho and his call for the decolonization of his country. Why the French even tried to convince us to bomb the Borth Vietnamese troops who were surrounding Dienbienpu in 1954. )Tha t was all the talk of our intelligence unit in Tokyo at the time.
Now we are bringing home hundreds of broken human vessels and our VA is racked with scandal. WE speak a good game about veterans in the US and continually under serve them.
This poem is a great piece of "social protest writing" I applaud you for this work. ( I was in the war before Vietnam)j joeakeefe
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Fought in the mountains and deserts of the Middle East over misplaced "adventure' in saving the world" is bring to our shores similar issues as the one that is central to this piece of poetry. We backed the French in the late forties and early fifties when we should have back Ho and his call for the decolonization of his country. Why the French even tried to convince us to bomb the Borth Vietnamese troops who were surrounding Dienbienpu in 1954. )Tha t was all the talk of our intelligence unit in Tokyo at the time.
Now we are bringing home hundreds of broken human vessels and our VA is racked with scandal. WE speak a good game about veterans in the US and continually under serve them.
This poem is a great piece of "social protest writing" I applaud you for this work. ( I was in the war before Vietnam)j joeakeefe
Comment Written 15-May-2014
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Thanks so much, joeakeefe, for your review, and your dedicated service to our country. I was a US Marine form 1980-'86 myself. I went to sniper school in Fort Benning in 1982. If I hadn't been married at the time, I would have stayed in for certain.
Thanks again for your very kind comments and review.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Dean first huge Smiles FIRST PRIZE
I don't know I missed the vivid horror of the Vietnam war. (when you posted it?)
You wrote in such dramatic images of unneeded violence.. in poetry .
Not easy to do
Gert
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Dean first huge Smiles FIRST PRIZE
I don't know I missed the vivid horror of the Vietnam war. (when you posted it?)
You wrote in such dramatic images of unneeded violence.. in poetry .
Not easy to do
Gert
Comment Written 15-May-2014
reply by the author on 18-May-2014
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Thanks so much for having a look at it Gert. I really appreciate that.
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Hi Dean you are welcome
Gert
