Reviews from

This Aching Abyss

The silence is overwhelming...

65 total reviews 
Comment from krys123
Excellent
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Happy holidays, Dr. Shadow;
-if ever there was a Nietzsche poem then this would be it. Living as a defeatist or it is not so much a defeatist but living in the even keel of nonexistence is probably better than living in a world where one can be hurt by love for feelings.
-In the solemn empty void of the stark reality there is at least a barrier that is created to block out feelings. So much so that's like being a living dead creation that is without feeling, emotions and life.
-You did a beautiful job explaining this in such a definitively expressive manner.
-Great coordination of pictures and music add to this emptiness.
-Thanks for sharing Dean and take care and have a good one.
Alex

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Thanks for reading and understanding the basic gist of this piece, Alex.
    You're absolutely right, and I feel that Alfred Lord Tennyson was a fool for having written, "'Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
    Take care...
    ~Dean
reply by krys123 on 30-Nov-2016
    You are very welcome, Dean, and take care of yourself and have a very happy holiday for you and your family.
    Alex
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2016
    U 2, Mr. Contestant.
Comment from F. Wehr3
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Excellent work! I love the emotion of this piece. As always, your alliteration is top notch.
No soothing salve for the soul.
No tender tendencies.--Nice!

Take care,
Russell

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Hey, Russell.
    Thank you for taking a gander at this, and for the complimentary review and shiny sixth star.
    I appreciate it, and I am really glad to know that you enjoyed the read.
    Take care, my fiend friend, and thanks again.
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Comment from crybry67
Excellent
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Reality can be disappointing at times, or even unbearable. We tend to withdraw because its much easier. Not sure if that's what you are trying to convey...

It is a little confusing to me, to go from ' I must not ...or feel. Anything' to 'but at least here I feel something'

Awesome presentation! Blessings... Christy

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Hey, Cry. Let's see if I can adequately answer you question to your satisfaction.
    It...the meaning of the line you noted is simply this:
    The word "nothing" is composed of two parts (and there is sort of a subtle double entendre at play here in this word and the way it's used too, as well ). "No," and "Thing". We can argue, then, that "nothing" is a "thing", in and of itself.
    So, having said that, if you feel "no-thing", you at least feel "some"-"thing", cry.
    Does that help to clarify my thought process a little better?
    It's similar to those who often say, "If you have hope to cling to, then at least you have something."
    But you see, "hope" isn't tangible. You can't taste "hope", or see "hope", or smell it. But that doesn't mean that hope is not a thing which can't be felt.
    Same thing applies here.
    Thanks for your review. It's appreciated.
    ~Dean
reply by crybry67 on 28-Nov-2016
    Thanks for the clarification...sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake...lol
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    No worries. Sometimes I am too, LOL.
    ~Dean :)
Comment from Heather Knight
Excellent
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This is scary in a different way. The narrator prefers feeling sadness, horror, melancholy rather than feeling nothing. Very sad indeed but beautifully written. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Thanks, as always, for reading, Maria.
    It is appreciated.
    ~Dean :}
Comment from ciliverde
Excellent
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The aching abyss of...depression, existential despair, loss of hope, recognition of reality? Each person has their particular version of heaven and hell, and sometimes the line is easily crossed. Existence is mysterious and strange - and seldom absolutely comfortable. I feel that I can relate in many ways to what you've written here. You're an amazing writer...
Carol

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2016
    Thanks, Carol, that is very kind of you to say.
    You are an amazing writer yourself.
    This is written about those spirits/souls who fall between the "cracks" of reality and existence.
    Having said that, the word, "no"-"thing" is actually a misnomer. It is a "thing"...a NO thing. So, to feel NO thing is feeling at least something.
    Take care, and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
    Thanks again for reading.
    ~Dean
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dean,
Your presentation with your poem is awesome. The color scheme is perfect as is the artwork. I like the use of great alliteration, too.

I believe your words are those being spoken by one who is torn between the harshness of reality & the equally harshness of being in a place where reality comes & goes. Readers are given specific examples from both 'worlds'. The narrator [you, right] is conflicted as to which one is better. Reality causes pain while the other choice masks it. So, do you want to love/live where you know there will be pain, or do you want to be where you feel safe? But the 'safe' place is only covering up the bad experiences
temporarily. There, you can ignore them for a while until they roar back to cause you to feel the pain again or to feel new pain.

Your writing is a joy to read. You know I did not read much horror, but you have caused me to give it a look. Sharing your personal life with FS takes courage. I commend you for that. While I look forward to your 'usual' writing, it is great to read your work in other genres.

Poems such as this one only prove that you are a talented writer with much to share.

Thanks for sharing.

Excellent! Jan

 Comment Written 28-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Love your in-depth review, Jan, and if I had any more reviewer nominations to award, you would certainly be the recipient of one.
    Let's just say I owe you one.
    Thank you for not only taking the time to read and empathise with what I've expressed in this, but for the generous six as well.
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reply by Jannypan (Jan) on 28-Nov-2016
    Dean,
    You owe me nothing except friendship. Jan
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    Thanks, Jan.
    That you already have.
    ~Dean :}
reply by Jannypan (Jan) on 28-Nov-2016
    I know, Dean. But it doesn't hurt to tell someone [you] that you are important. Jan
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2016
    You're absolutely right, Jan.
    It doesn't hurt at all.
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Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
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I really love this presentation with the rising smoke. Yeah, most cool.

Some jarring images in the first stanza, setting us up to feel downtrodden.

The repetitions work very well with To live, to dance, etc.

Yep, this is a fine free verse and I like it, lots.

Gloria

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 02-Dec-2016
    Thanks, Gloria, that is very kind of you to say.
    This is written about those spirits/souls who fall between the "cracks" of reality and existence.
    Having said that, the word, "no"-"thing" is actually a misnomer. It is a "thing"...a NO thing. So, to feel NO thing is feeling at least something.
    I'm glad to know you enjoyed the way the repetitive lines were worked in, as well as the poem overall.
    I rarely write free verse and for very good reason, LOL.
    Take care, and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
    Thanks again for reading.
    ~Dean :)
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Excellent
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I am afraid this poem is related to your last, and the silence has its own meaning.
You have delivered a stunning poem, as to your usual quality.
You are a man of deep emotion who isn't afraid to express your feelings. Unfortunately, that often means wearing your heart on your sleeve and opening yourself for pain.
And yet share your genius with us.

Peace, my friend,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 27-Nov-2016
    I don't really know the proper way to respond to this other than to say thank you for empathising, Rhonda.
    I do appreciate your support and your comments.
    ~Dean
reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 27-Nov-2016
    Sorry, I don't know the proper response, either, and it's late and I'm probably not making a lot of sense. Happens...

    Just saying I think the two poems you wrote this week are in a way connected. I could be wrong.

    Either way, your poem was brilliant.

    Make more sense?
Comment from Irish Rain
Excellent
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Beautiful presentation and poem. Quiet desperation, where at least, you not only feel something, but it's something familiar, is always preferable to hopes and dreams. Because when you are in such a depressed state, the unfulfilled longing is more painful...than the quiet desperation. Quite poetic and lovely, blessings...

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 27-Nov-2016
    Thank you for reading, Judy.l
    Your poetic response was much better than the poem it was written for.
    Be well,
    ~Dean
reply by Irish Rain on 28-Nov-2016
    Oh, not EVEN!!!
Comment from Joan E.
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I admired your presentation with streaming, "arching" smoke. Your use of alliteration intensified the sense of feeling "something". Warm regards- Joan

 Comment Written 27-Nov-2016


reply by the author on 27-Nov-2016
    Thank you very much, Joan. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this, and I appreciate your stellar assessment.
    Take care. I'm very grateful for your review, as always.
    ~Dean