Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Oh so true. The sight of a shark's fin causes fear in many creatures to include humans. You did a great job writing this contest entry. Good luck.

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2014

Thanks, Barbara. I tied for first place with Jeanie Mercer. I'm really glad you liked it, and I appreciate the review. As for the well wishes, while a bit late, it is the thought that truly counts.:)

Comment from Janet Foor

Excellent

Congratulations on winning the haiku poem contest. Definitely deserved. Your well chosen words give a graphic description of the seal's nightmare.
Well done Dean.

Janet

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2014

Thanks so much, Janet. I tied for first with Jeanie Mercer, and we split the prize pool.

I'm glad you enjoyed reading it, and I appreciate the kind review.:)

Comment from Darkhorse555

Excellent

these words dorsal are very graphic fin slices ocean's surface
congratulation on your first place win dear friend well deserved

 Comment Written 23-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 23-Aug-2014

Thanks, O' Dark One!

I tied for first place with Jeanie Mercer in this one. I'm really glad you liked it, and as always, I appreciate you review.:)

Comment from Ridley Williams

Excellent

Hello Dean,
Congrats on another win! I'm sure if seals could talk we would hear the cry coming from the surf, "sh..sh..sh..Shark!"
I guess everyone needs to eat, but it certainly feels like we live in a "dog eat dog" world. At least they don't screw each other over for a percentage. Lol. They left that weakness to man.
Again, nice work...best wishes, Bill

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Heh, heh...you got that right, Bill!

I've been very surprised at how many perceived the dorsal fin to belong to a shark. My intent was a killer whale, as they are a mammal like the seal, but most definitely have seal on their favorite list of foods. But, a shark does evoke more terror in the mind, no doubts about it!

Thanks for the congrats and review, Bill. Both are greatly appreciated!:)

Comment from jandeck

Excellent

I've got to say, the fin is my nightmare also. I love the use of the word nightmare in your haiku considering a lot of your subject matter. LOL
Good contest entry!

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks, jandeck, I really appreciate that! Yeah, I often write about what terrifies me the most, and sharks scare the bejeezus out of me. The dorsal fin in my poem was supposed to belong to a killer whale, primarily because they are mammals, just as seals are.

Thanks for the great review! As far as the contest, I need all of the luck I can get!:)

Comment from Kim14

Excellent

I liked this. Cute and fun word choices. It tells a to the point story, in a funny way. I have never tried my pen at one of these kind of poems. Good job, enjoyed:))

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks, Kim, and until recently, I hadn't tried one either. But, you're right, they are very fun, but much harder to make a concise point than many might think, in so few words.

I do appreciate your encouraging review.:)

Comment from mfowler

Excellent

My goodness, Dean. Even horror in a sweet seal poem.
Actually, I really like this as it is such a dramatic vignette of real life in teh ocean.
We have a fabulous place here in SA called Seal Beach. Tourists walk among a colony of seals whic inhabit the ocean side of Kangaroo Island. But, you just know that as soon as one of these cuties enter the surf, they are the target of Great Whites which live in that area.
'young seal's nightmare' indeed. Excellent satori to a short verse which grabbed my attention immediately. Almost heard 'Jaws' playing.
Best wishes for the contest.

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks, Mark, and currently it is tied for first and holding its own, I suppose. And don't think for one moment that I didn't think about adding that score to this. But, I knew I would be disqualified in a heartbeat had I done so, LOL. I thought about it... :)

Comment from Tomes Johnston

Excellent

This is a very striking poem that the author has created with this piece of writing. The writer has maximised on the few words allowed in this form of writing and makes every word count. Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks very much, Tomes, I appreciate the review and good luck wishes. By the looks of things, I'm going to need lots of luck for this one!

Much appreciated.

reply by Tomes Johnston on 22-Aug-2014

I think you have a great chance

reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

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Comment from GracieAnn

Excellent

Dean, this haiku meets the requirements with the proper title with first line and parenthesis, 17 or under syllable count, 3 lines, subject matter and the irony of the last line eliciting the a-ha moment. Well done. All the best in the contest! :0 GracieAnn

 Comment Written 22-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks so much, GracieAnn, I really appreciate it. I'll take all of the luck that I can get, my friend!:)

Comment from seaglass

Excellent

This was a challenge, with so many words not allowed. Sea creatures are all on the food chain and sharks cause fear in most of them. They are alarming to us as well.

 Comment Written 21-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Aug-2014

Thanks, seaglass. I have been surprised at how many associate that dorsal fin belonging to a shark. I was thinking an Orca, or killer whale, as I wrote it, primarily because seals are a main staple of the killer whale's diet, and killer whales are of the dolphin family,. which are also mammals. Those things have huge, ten centimeter long teeth and are pretty intimidating too!

Thanks so much for your encouraging review, my friend. Much obliged.:)