Reviews from

The Darkest Door

War is Hell...

64 total reviews 
Comment from livelylinda
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dean Kuch: . . .and thanks for writing this poem. From time-to-time, my mind wanders through my life and settles on the worst days. . .and I have a good many of those. But, when I read about those who have survived war, witnessed atrocities and performed acts upon the enemy which they would never in civilian life even considered doing, I don't know how y'all even function day to day any more. We should never forget any of these stories we hear about or read about. Thanks for reminding us. And, congratulations of winning the contest. Linda

 Comment Written 15-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Thanks so much for your touching, heartfelt review, L.Linda, my dear friend. Much obliged...~
Comment from dmt1967
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a very powerful poem the soldiers are told kill for the greater good but I often wonder who's greater good are they killing for congratulations on a well deserved win and thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 15-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Thanks, dmt1967. For the most part, they are just following orders, my friend. Whether they like them, or not. They have a job to do, so they do it, to the best of their abilities. That's all they can do...
Comment from padumachitta
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hey Dean. I wish you could get this in a paper somewhere. It is a good poem, ecellent in fact. And it may reach people who don't usually take notice of this. My brother had a friend who served time in Nam and ran to Canada before he was oficillay released from service. He lasted 10 years before he killed himself...not before telling us he and his buddies were told all males over 8 were to be treated as enemy soldiers...and treated accordingly...he never forgot

 Comment Written 15-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Thanks for the review, padu, and you're right. The horrors of that war (or, "police action", as our beloved politicians liked to call it) are something one can never fully recover from or forget.

    Have a wonderful day, and thanks again...~
Comment from visionary1234
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

No wonder you won with this one Dean! I kept hoping it wasn't about you personally, as your writing here made it very 'immediate'. This one was masterful, one of your best, with flawless rhythm. Well done!
:)Sharyn

 Comment Written 15-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Wow, Sharyn, thanks so much. Coming from you, that means a great deal to me. You're a very talented poet, so I simply have to take your word for it (LOL).

    I really appreciate the review, and extra stars, my friend.
Comment from honeytree
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The art work and words are bot exceptional.

The torment, the anger, the tears, the guilt, the loss

The rules to kill another in war devastating in every way.

Wars should be over within our world but they are not.

When will all fighting end?

honey tree

I have no six left

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    War will never end, honeytree. Not as long as men have things they believe in standing up and fighting for. That's a saddening, maddening statement to make, I know. but it is true, nonetheless.

    Thanks for your excellent review.
reply by honeytree on 19-May-2014
    You are right and I wonder if wars exist elsewhere within the universe.

    Great read.

    Annie
reply by honeytree on 22-May-2014
    We can only hope for universal love.

    Annie
Comment from c_lucas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Congratulations on your win. You did an excellent job of describing the young troops who were violated by their deeds in a jungle fessing in hell.

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Thanks, Charlie. I appreciate the review, my friend.
reply by c_lucas on 18-May-2014
    You're welcome, Dean. Charlie
Comment from Tonulak
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Dean,
This was a very stirring story poem about what I assume is your personal vietnam experience. I have many friends that survived and were indelibly altered. This was vivid and well-crafted. Great job--Ted

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    Thanks, Ted, I'm glad it came across as a genuine experience. I was just nine-years-old in 1969, so I barley missed Viet Nam. I did, however, serve in the US Marine Corps, from 1980-'86, and a lot of guys who I was in with had been through the 'Nam. One of my favorite uncles was a Green Beret, with an Army Special forces unit, and he told me stories (only when stoned or drunk out of his mind) that would curl your nose hairs. he die, languishing in an Alabama State Pen. He never fully recovered form the horrors he'd witnessed.

    This poem was dedicated to men, like him, who were spit upon and shunned by society for simply following orders, and doing their duties as soldiers.
Comment from TOMORAL
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

My brother spent two years in Viet Name, came home, worked his way up to Chief of the fire department, died at 54 of alcoholism. He once told me the dreams never die. He literally drank himself to death. Thanks for sharing this poignant and chilling poem. If he could read it now, he would agree with you.

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 14-May-2014
    Thanks, TOMORAL, I really appreciate that. I pray that where he is, he's able to read it, because it was for honorable men, just like your dear brother, who this poem was written for.

    Thanks so much again.
Comment from judiverse
Excellent
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Congratulations on winning the Behind the Door contest. This was powerful. For those who haven't served, you certainly make it clear what the men were going through in Vietnam. The narrator certainly feels burdened by what he's seen and done. Such a vivid description of the death of his friend Big Jim. Excellent rhyme and flow, and the wording is just right for your narrator. It is so sad that some of these veterans aren't getting the care and treatment they deserve. judi

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 14-May-2014
    Thank you, judiverese, very much. I agree. The Vietnam vets are overlooked all too often, primarily because the war was so unpopular here at home. They deserve far better.
reply by judiverse on 15-May-2014
    You're welcome. I still remember John Kerry's trashing the men serving in Vietnam when he spoke before the Congressional Committee. It was like he was accusing them all of being criminals. judi
Comment from Janie King
Excellent
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You need to send a copy of this to the President, Congress, Senate, and the Pentegon. Very good piece with ever so much truth. God loves you and so do I. (Did you forget to read my last two posts?)

 Comment Written 14-May-2014


reply by the author on 18-May-2014
    I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind review, Janie. I have read and reviewed so much as of late, forgoing my own writing most times to earn a little bit more "funny money" for my account. I will take a look and see if I have reviewed them.

    Thanks so much again for your review, and God bless~