Comment from Rasmine

Excellent

Congratulations on your winning. If you don't mind, I will hold on to my sixes, because you are not really benefitting from them anymore. :P
Take care in publishing land.

 Comment Written 05-Mar-2018

Comment from DragonSkulls

Exceptional

Wow, Dean. I'm truly sorry I didn't get to the booth for this one. Your piece should have, hands down, won this contest. Yeah, the other one that tied with you was touching and all that usual BS but its artistic value was simply put to shame. Fantastic write, my friend. Have a good one.

Ron

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks, Ron. I'm really glad to know that you thought so, my friend. I miss a few votes now & again myself. I try not to, but it just happens sometimes. No worries. maybe you'll hit me up another time, 'ey? LOL...

Thanks for the complimentary review. I really appreciate it! :}

~DeanO

Comment from michaelcahill

Excellent

A worthy winner in a very competitive field. Gee, no artwork? Hmmm. Just talent. Go figure. This has a great flow and features all the poetic devices. What a free verse should look and sound like. What a killer last stanza. I missed the deadline on this. I bet my five bucks on some lame contest nobody entered. Great piece. Excellence. mikey

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Mikey.

What so many don't understand, but I've no doubts that you do, is that if the story, or poem --whatever it is -- sucks, it matters very little what sort of pictures, or animations, or sounds...you use to try to enhance it. A turd is a turd, and will taste like a turd, whether it's sugar coated or not.

I never...NEVER!!!...write something to suit a photo, or animation. The words...which are the meat of the meal...always come first. Always. The pictures, well...those are just the gravy.

Thanks again, my talented friend, and I entered this to prove a point to me, more than anything else. I'm glad it didn't backfire and cause me to shoot myself in the foot! :}

Respectfully,

~DeanO

Comment from ragamuffin

Excellent

Interesting contest. I like that it's black text, white background, and no pictures. The words will have to stand on their own, and yours indeed did so quite well. Really gives off a dark, depressing, finality of a feeling. Excellent, excellent last stanza. The snake works well for the creep effect and for emphasizing the destruction and rot that we've allowed. We kinda serve ourselves up on a silver platter often times, so to speak. Cause and effect. The words intertwine and twirl and swirl inside the reader's head in a dark tornado. Well done!

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much for your brilliant assessment of my meager attempts at free verse poetry, ragamuffins. I'll admit, while free verse is definitely not my forte, I did give it my all for this write. And my all is all I I have to give...

Thanks so much again. Your thoughtful and encouraging feedback is much appreciated. :}

Comment from Margaret Snowdon

Excellent

virulent vortex
Whispered wisps

a lovely use of words to start off with, Dean, but as I
read on they crept under my skin and reminded me why I don't want to be buried - but cremated.

A great poem, sets the atmosphere.

Margaret

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thank you, Margaret, and I appreciate your review and assessment of my free verse portrayal of an old cemetery.. In essence, I'm only saying that it is not our bodies which are important after death. They are simply the husks that once housed the essence of who we were...our souls. Our bodies are nothing more than compost -- like the withered leaves of winter's trees -- after our spirit has left it.

It is our soul which is truly important.

Thanks so much again for your thoughtful comments and review. :}

Comment from Caressa_08

Excellent

We really die, a little each day, unless it comes instantly in some fatal accident, or someone decides to murder us.....It's something that happens, a natural process, when death does, finally, achieve its hold on us, even to some of those considered healthy, strong creatures, & though, not a good subject to discuss over a Thanksgiving Dinner with friends & relatives......Decay, that is, it happens to everyone, even movie stars, that bite the dust... Decaying of the flesh, along with our brains, except, usually, for our skeleton remains, Really, for me, nothing to lose earthly sleep over..And also, do not at all, see that as creepy.. And, we should live each day as it might be our last one.. And, to realize our decaying demise & its consequences, and, that is, why for me, Faith in God, is so important.. And, those that harbor hate & inflict pain in so many ways, & bring death on others. And who Live, as they have not a conscious..Decay of the soul, well, that's another poem....Thanks for giving me an idea, here, Dean, by writing, "Decay."

Best Wishes for Your Entry....Caressa

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Stephen King said it best in his book, Stephen King On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft", I think, about why writers feel compelled to write, and I quote;

"Writing isn't about making money, getting rich, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free, so drink. Drink, and be filled up."

That being said, I truly appreciate that this poem has inspired you -- and perhaps even enlightened you -- in some small way, for that's truly what writing is all about.

You're right, death is simply a part of the cycle of life, and we should not fear it, nor should we embrace it. It is what it is, and none of us can escape it's eventual finality.

Thanks so much for taking the time to review this for me, Caressa. I sincerely appreciate the outstanding feedback. :}

Comment from padumachitta

Exceptional

Hey Dean...well you nailed the rules...and wrote a super poem about death, and well...its sway.
I like the hidden(well perhpas not so hidden) moral of the story...the poke back at looking at ourselves and our part in the downfall...

unless I am wrong..

either way,
i liked it.
padumachitta

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

No, you're spot-on, padu, not wrong in the slightest. Given the topic, I'm glad you enjoyed my free verse portrait of an ancient, crumbling cemetery, and everything that lies beneath the leaf-strewn surface.

Thanks so much for the sixer, and the wonderful, complimentary comments. It is appreciated! :)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Nice one Dean, could be read as two separate poems and both make sense but wen entwined they are great. Love the first verse with the - virulent vortex - the Whispered wisps and gossamer ghosts.
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks, Pearl, I appreciate the fact that you took the time to read and review this for me. Glad you enjoyed reading it, too, despite the topic.

Very much appreciated! :}

Comment from barkingdog

Exceptional

Yuck. Death really sucks! Slithering unseen things.

You managed to creep me out with this one, Dean. But of course, you are a master lucid description.
Loved your alliterative 'virulent vortex' and 'gossamer ghosts of insects.'
Best of luck in the contest!

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Ellen, and it sure is great to hear from you again! Hope all is well?
I fully realize that free verse poetry is not my forte, but I do try very hard, to paint a portrait of death and decay in an ancient, crumbling cemetery. I gave it my all, and that's all I can do, right?

Thanks so much again, my friend. I do appreciate it!:}

Comment from RPSaxena

Exceptional

Hello Dean Kuch,
Nice piece of Horror and Thriller Poetry beautifully depicting its theme having captivating flow with impressive wording.
"Death holds court underground.
Judge, jury...executioner;
none are spared
his final earthly feast."
Excellent!

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, RPSaxena, for the complimentary review and exceptional rating. Thanks, too, for pointing out what you enjoyed most about the poem. That's fantastic feedback, and I really appreciate it. :)