Whenever Terror Strikes
A response to attacks77 total reviews
Comment from Asem.inspirations
Hello, Sis Cat: You are so right and I do know exactly how these other Poets felt. I live in New York City. in fact, I work just four blocks from where the above mentioned attack occurred. This happened on Halloween so those of us who had to go to work that evening, no matter what, we were all wide eyed on the trains and in fear.
This is how we walk around here in New York and the reality is that no one ever knows - where terror or mass murder will occur next. time and history had proven that this could happen anywhere. No where is safe or exempt from this horror.
Your poem is timely and remarkable and the picture attached makes it priceless.
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Hello, Sis Cat: You are so right and I do know exactly how these other Poets felt. I live in New York City. in fact, I work just four blocks from where the above mentioned attack occurred. This happened on Halloween so those of us who had to go to work that evening, no matter what, we were all wide eyed on the trains and in fear.
This is how we walk around here in New York and the reality is that no one ever knows - where terror or mass murder will occur next. time and history had proven that this could happen anywhere. No where is safe or exempt from this horror.
Your poem is timely and remarkable and the picture attached makes it priceless.
Comment Written 08-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Oh, thank you, Tier, for your priceless, six star review. I started this poem two weeks ago. Back then, I wanted to write about last year's Orlando shooting, but on Saturday I changed focus to the New York truck attack. Hours after I posted my poem on Sunday, a man killed 26 in a Texas church. Yes, it is hard to get a feeling of safety when these attacks can happen anywhere and anytime.
Thank you for your generous, empathetic review of my timely poem. Please keep safe as I will do on my side.
Comment from Ogden
I won't say we New Yorkers don't think of it, but we are not cowed as your poem suggests. That's not to say we merely "tsk, tsk," on learning of such news, and give it no further thought. We're empathic about the victims, and are reminded of the necessity of being alert, and we remain confident in the fact that New York City, recent horrific incidents notwithstanding, is one of the safest big cities in the modern world.
I believe, in our lifetimes, we will NOT return to complacency after periods of dormancy of terrorist acts. The world has changed, and, as always, we adapt.
Regardless of my point of view, Andre, I compliment you on the excellence your emotional poem.
Don
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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I won't say we New Yorkers don't think of it, but we are not cowed as your poem suggests. That's not to say we merely "tsk, tsk," on learning of such news, and give it no further thought. We're empathic about the victims, and are reminded of the necessity of being alert, and we remain confident in the fact that New York City, recent horrific incidents notwithstanding, is one of the safest big cities in the modern world.
I believe, in our lifetimes, we will NOT return to complacency after periods of dormancy of terrorist acts. The world has changed, and, as always, we adapt.
Regardless of my point of view, Andre, I compliment you on the excellence your emotional poem.
Don
Comment Written 08-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Yes, Don, I agreed: "in our lifetimes, we will NOT return to complacency after periods of dormancy of terrorist acts. The world has changed."
The potential for these attacks will always be in the back of our minds. As you said, we adapt.
Thank you for your review and for complimenting my poem as excellent and emotional.
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You are most welcome, Andre.
Comment from zekeziemann
The flow and rhythm of this poem are great. The description of the emotions felt in the terror of our time was perfectly expressed.
Zeke
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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The flow and rhythm of this poem are great. The description of the emotions felt in the terror of our time was perfectly expressed.
Zeke
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Oh, thank you, Zeke, for your generous review of my poem which describes the terror of our time.
Comment from GWinterwin
Enjoyed your poem although real and very sad. The picture accommodates the poem very well. The heartache and fear that is caused by such attacks is terrible. Yes they wait just long enough for us to let our guard down and then attack again.
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Enjoyed your poem although real and very sad. The picture accommodates the poem very well. The heartache and fear that is caused by such attacks is terrible. Yes they wait just long enough for us to let our guard down and then attack again.
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Yes, GWinterwin, there are so many attacks now . . . on a weekly basis, almost .. that they feel coordinated but I heard they often happen in swarm. Each killer wants to out kill the other, like a macabre videogame using people as the target. I don't know when this will stop.
Thank you for your generous, six star review. I much appreciate it.
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Very sad and scary, but just some of the things God's word says will happen in the last days.
Comment from Dawn Munro
Yes, Andre, absolute paranoia reigns anymore (but is it paranoia in light of all that has happened in recent years)? I ask in need of a real answer, because I was once bold, adventurous - a true risk-taker, and now I don't even want to leave home after dark (as if dark really has anything to do with true danger...*sigh*)... My JOB entailed quite a bit of risk at times, for heaven's sake...
What a wonderful poem!
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Yes, Andre, absolute paranoia reigns anymore (but is it paranoia in light of all that has happened in recent years)? I ask in need of a real answer, because I was once bold, adventurous - a true risk-taker, and now I don't even want to leave home after dark (as if dark really has anything to do with true danger...*sigh*)... My JOB entailed quite a bit of risk at times, for heaven's sake...
What a wonderful poem!
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Yes, Dawn, I find myself thinking twice about everything and every place I go--to church, to the movies, a walk around the block. These attacks taught us that they could happen anywhere. I try to live my life to maintain normality, but sometimes fear of terror creeps in. Thank you for your review of my poem you called wonderful!
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It IS wonderful - a truly perfectly-written sonnet, IMO,even though the subject is such a horrible one. :(
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Thanks. Some reviewers said sonnets should only be written in Elizabethan language and be about romance. I believe that our culture has a romance with violence and that I needed to write in the language of our time, even while using an old poetic form.
Thank you once again.
Andre
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Now this just produced another sigh - a big one. No, there are MANY kinds of sonnets - give me one sec - I'll give you some ammunition (lol)...
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Traditionally, the sonnet is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter, which employ one of several rhyme schemes and adhere to a tightly structured thematic organization. Two sonnet forms provide **the models from which all other sonnets are formed**: the Petrarchan and the Shakespearean.Mar 1, 2016
The Sonnet: Poetic Form | Academy of American Poets
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/sonnet-poetic-form
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Thanks a problem with this site - too many egos - a few great reviews, and suddenly everybody's an expert. Sheesh! Why do people profess to be sure when they are not? I do my best to live by, "I'd rather be a live chicken than a dead duck!" Hahahaha!
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Yes, one reviewer told me about different forms of sonnets like the Petrarchan and Spenserian. Thanks. I am finding the article helpful.
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Oh, good! You're welcome. :)
Comment from A. Willow Bends
How profound is the use of words to explain our fear of terrorists and the fact they have a detrimental effect on our sense of safety. This is is extremely well written and photo is a great asset to the words. Very nicely done
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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How profound is the use of words to explain our fear of terrorists and the fact they have a detrimental effect on our sense of safety. This is is extremely well written and photo is a great asset to the words. Very nicely done
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Oh, thank you, Wendy, for your empathetic review. I stared at that photo a long time while I wrote the second stanza because I had finished the rest of my sonnet. As you said so eloquently, I wanted to capture the "detrimental effect on our sense of safety." Thanks again for your review and for your concerns.
Comment from Paul Bownas
A brilliant but frightening poem, beautifully executed (perhaps that's not the right word?) I thought it was superb, and so well described the events that we all are facing today.
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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A brilliant but frightening poem, beautifully executed (perhaps that's not the right word?) I thought it was superb, and so well described the events that we all are facing today.
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2017
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Yes, Paul, two weeks ago I started writing this poem about last year's Orlando shooting, but on Saturday I decided to write about the New York truck rampage instead. Hours after I posted my poem on Sunday, a gunman killed 26 in a Texas church. This sonnet contest deadline is march 5. How many more attacks will happen between now and then? I cringe at the thought.
Thank you for your generous, six star review.
Comment from Delahay
It feels like the world has gone completely insane. People killing others for religious and political reasons are bad enough. They aren't going to change people's beliefs on those subjects. Then we have people killing a lot of people for no apparent reason. Or because they are mad at one person. It's crazy.
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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It feels like the world has gone completely insane. People killing others for religious and political reasons are bad enough. They aren't going to change people's beliefs on those subjects. Then we have people killing a lot of people for no apparent reason. Or because they are mad at one person. It's crazy.
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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Yes, Delahay, people's madness is crazy. Thank you for your emphatic review.
Comment from Bill Schott
This Shakespearean sonnet, Whenever Terror Strikes, contains the tenets of the format, including meter, rhyme scheme, and turn at line nine. The topic of terrorism supplants the lighter themes typically found in this form. Terrorists have succeeded in bringing the sad, paranoid uncertainty to our shores that these pathetic wretches have promoted in the Middle East for centuries.
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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This Shakespearean sonnet, Whenever Terror Strikes, contains the tenets of the format, including meter, rhyme scheme, and turn at line nine. The topic of terrorism supplants the lighter themes typically found in this form. Terrorists have succeeded in bringing the sad, paranoid uncertainty to our shores that these pathetic wretches have promoted in the Middle East for centuries.
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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Yes, Bill, this is sad that terrorism has even pervaded a poetic form associated with romance. Thank you for pointing out my adherence to the tenets of a Shakespearean sonnet. I deeply appreciate your review and thoughts on this troubling matter.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Hello, Andre,
An amazing contemporary poem about terrorism and how is affecting our society. It seems like nobody is safe from terrorism these days. I love the presentation too. Well done sweetie pie.
Gypsy hugs
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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Hello, Andre,
An amazing contemporary poem about terrorism and how is affecting our society. It seems like nobody is safe from terrorism these days. I love the presentation too. Well done sweetie pie.
Gypsy hugs
Comment Written 07-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2017
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Yes, Gypsy, contemporary. Initially I wanted to write a poem about terrorism using the poetic forms of 630 years ago, but I could not make it work. I opted for a sonnet, giving it a fresh take on a contemporary topic.
Thank you for your generous, six star review and hugs.
Andre
