Comment from Domino 2

Excellent

Hi, Deano.

You've been quiet lately, and I hope things are OK with you.

I chose this one to review, as you know me and prose. :-)

Excellent artwork and presentation, as always, but your words paint a vivid picture and message without it - a sign of an excellent writer.

Best wishes, my friend, Ray.

 Comment Written 19-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 19-Oct-2014

Thanks, Ray. Yeah, I have been slacking off here a bit. We are trying to get our charity haunted barn all ready to go for its debut on the 31st of this month. Lot's of sets to build, actors to place and scripts to write. I do all of the writing, plus help with the art and sound FX. It's quite an undertaking.

Thanks for checking in, and for your review. The haiku did horribly in the voting, but what else is new for me when it comes to nature haiku? Oh, when will I ever learn to leave well enough alone...??? :(

reply by Domino 2 on 19-Oct-2014

Best of luck with that amazing venture, Deano - much more important than fanstory.

I'm sick of contests right now, and I intend to post just once or twice a week in themes which take much more thought than a daft 575 contest.

Famous last words. :-)

Cheers, mate. Ray.

reply by the author on 19-Oct-2014

Me too. Were are being 5-7-5'd and haiku's to death lately in this infernal contests. I'm sick to death of them as well!

reply by Domino 2 on 19-Oct-2014

Most of the time they're not real poetry, but forced 3 line gags or statements.

reply by the author on 19-Oct-2014

Yeah, I'm guilty of that myself sometimes, but I do try not to do it. I mean, c'mon, how many more ideas for haiku, senryu and 5-7-5 can there be left!? Christ on a tricycle...! :0

Comment from giovannimariatommaso

Excellent

Nice Haiku that begins w/alliteration w's & 17 syllables. Thought provoking truism about winter & survival for that is when it seems most severe.

 Comment Written 18-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Oct-2014

Thank you, giovannimariatommaso. I am very glad that someone thinks so, at least.

I sincerely appreciate your supportive comments, my friend. :}

reply by giovannimariatommaso on 18-Oct-2014

Y/W GMT

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I don't know how I missed this one Dean, but this a really good entry in this haiku poetry contest, this artwork and poem really hits the spot as far as inspiration goes, perhaps it's because it's a contest entry, well done, good luck, blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 18-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Oct-2014

Thanks, Roy, and I'm afraid I got my bottom spanked in this contest. My entry wasn't even a contender, but, that's okay. The voters have spoken...

Thanks so much for the positive comments and support.

Comment from jandeck

Excellent

That's the key, determination. Love the comparison of the howling winter winds to the wolf's howl. I like that you used the actic wolf instead of polar bears. Beautiful, fierce, and determined!

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Well, the voters seemed to like the polar bears quite a bit more, jandeck, LOL. That's okay, though. We can't win them all, right? It would be nice, though!

Thanks a bunch for your review. :}

Comment from Drew Delaney

Excellent

Poor thing. It doesn't look like he is going to make it to the next block of ice without getting even more wet.

This is really good, Dean. You are so fortunate to be able to place photos where you like. Good on you! Drew

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thanks so much, Drew, and I'm glad you liked the haiku. Not many voters did, but that's okay. I felt it conveyed a strong message of survival in the harshest conditions.

Much obliged! :}

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi, Dean,

This is cool -- mid-flight determination. Love the artwork and and how your haiku brings it to life. Great visualization, as well as your usually neat formatting.

Great presentation for an entry, my friend.

Best of luck in the contest.

Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'.... Jax

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thanks, Jax, but I got my butt spanked but good in this contest! I'm really glad you liked the coupling of the haiku and picture. I really appreciate your review. :)

Comment from Eric1

Excellent

Hi Dean, This is an excellently written entry for this Haiku competition my friend, you always seem to find the perfect words for the perfect image, good luck my friend.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thanks, Eric, but not this time, I'm afraid. Perhaps if I had used Polar Bears instead of wolves... Ah well, better luck next time, right? One of these days I am going to learn my lesson and stop entering nature haiku contests and prompts, LOL.

Thanks so much for taking the time to review it for me.

reply by Eric1 on 18-Oct-2014

Hard luck Dean, I must admit, I'm not too enamoured with these prompts my friend or the contests, I get rave reviews and comments and not one vote! And I do wish someone would explain how you get onto the poem of the month list, very perplexing! sorry about the rant, have a lovely weekend my dear friend.

reply by the author on 18-Oct-2014

I believe that faceless entity know here only as (drum roll please...) "The FanStory Voting Committee" votes for the ones they feel were the best of the lot for that month, and they nominate you. It's probably based on the amount of positive feedback all of the poems received, but I'm not sure what criteria they use to nominate entrants, Eric. I was happy to be nominated this month, although I don't stand a chance in hell of winning against Brooke (adewpearl), or Maureen Napier, LOL...

Comment from Judy Couch

Excellent

Good conclusion. It does take determination to survive if you are living outside in a snowstorm. Your picture enhances it well without being necessary to the meaning of the poem.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thanks, Judy. I am very pleased that you enjoyed the poem. :}

Comment from scd41

Excellent

A lovely haiku and the picture has added beauty to it. The poem could also serve as a grim reminder of rough winter days ahead. I liked the satori 'determination' which helps to fight in extreme conditions. A deserving entry for the contest. Best of luck.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thank you very much for reading and reviewing it for me, scd41. I'm afraid this contest is a lost cause as far as my entry is concerned, but I certainly do appreciate your encouraging comments. I can use them to inspire me for the next try.

Thanks again. :)

Comment from mfowler

Excellent

The satori line 'determination' sums up the whole nature of living in the frozen wild let alone the howl of a blizzard. A well written and evocative haiku for the contest. Good luck.

 Comment Written 17-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Oct-2014

Thank you, 'M', I truly appreciate you taking the time to drop by and leave a review. I'm very happy you enjoyed the haiku.