Comment from Acquired Taste

Exceptional

You pulled me in with the withered leaves then slowly - and with purpose - pulled me down deeper into the abyss of your chaos. I like that. It is a rapid descent, but you do it with elegance. Way good on this one Deano - way good. Jean

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much for your exceptional rating and outstanding review, Jean. I'm very happy you saw the matter-of-factness of this write, and your compliments and thoughtful commentary are greatly appreciated, as always.

Much oblged, my dear friend. :}

Comment from nancyjam

Excellent

Powerful imagery, Dean.
We cannot escape death anymore than the "withered leaves" but we have the advantage of choosing to live a good life and enjoying all that has to offer
instead of just "hanging around" waiting to die. (lol)
Great word choice to convey theme.
Good luck in the contest. Nancy

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Nancy. I'm so happy you enjoyed my meager offering in free verse. I'll admit, free verse poetry is clearly not my forte, but I did give it my all, and my all is all I can give.

Thanks again, my friend. It is appreciated! :}

Comment from MM lives on :)

Exceptional

Dear Dean, this was a delicious delicacy of a forbidden poetic fruit...the metaphor dripped of biblical in-proportions as my will as man stifled sober. Drinketh from my chalice I command of you as I deliver the 2 pronged 6!

BRAVO YOUNG MAN BRAVO!

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

I drinketh, my friend (LOL)...

Hey, in all seriousness, thanks for the awesome feedback, Christopher. I bow before masters of free verse, poets like yourself, and offer up this meager sacrifice for the slaughter. I fully realize that free verse poetry is not my forte, but I did give this write my all, and my all is all I can give.

Thanks so much for the exceptional rating and complimentary review.

All is appreciated! :}

Comment from Oatmeal

Excellent

Dean Kuch,

You did a wonderful job with this challenge. The flow was very nice. The theme was good. Very nicely written work. Perfectly arranged & formatted. Understandable.

No errors at all.

Beautifully written. I wish you the best in this contest.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Love you,

Oatmeal

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Oatmeal, and I sincerely appreciate your outstanding review and thoughtful comments, and I will certainly look forward to hearing from you again.

Much appreciated! :)

reply by Oatmeal on 15-Nov-2014

Dean,

I did not review for a year but I am back. I need the practice so I can help out my friends and family members.

When I can help people here too then it is just that much better.

Love you,

Camille

reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

I appreciate that! :}

Comment from PatVallesMangan

Excellent

I wish I had a six star review left, but unfortunately, I do not. This is an amazing piece which met the specific rules for the writing prompt with beauty and grace ... for in the end, it all comes to this. The superb alliteration and precisely chosen descriptive word combinations, make this a well written, thought provoking poem. Good luck in the contest, though I don't believe you will need luck. Bright Blessings! ~ Pat

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Oh, but it appears as if I will need all of the luck I can get, my dear friend. I truly am humbled by your glowing review, and I gratefully accept your thoughtful comments with an open heart.

Thanks so much for everything, Pat. It is appreciated! :}

reply by PatVallesMangan on 16-Nov-2014

God Bless! :) ~ Pat

reply by PatVallesMangan on 16-Nov-2014

I see you WON! Well deserved! I am very happy for you and will not say that I told you so :) LOL ~ Blessings Bright! :)

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Really cool poem. I liked the unseen things. I think that brings out my biggest fear. Not knowing what is watching me. Good rhythm and the imagery was chilling and very good. Great poem. Good luck in the contest. Gretchen

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Gretchen, and it would appear that I am going to need all of the luck that I can get, my friend. However, while I fully realize that free style verse is not my forte, i did give this poem my all, and that;s all I can give.

Thanks again for the outstanding comments and thoughtful review. They are sincerely appreciated. :}

Comment from Dawny53

Exceptional

Hello Dean.. it's been awhile. As always I was drawn in by your words and I took a little trip into death's abyss. I love what you did with the leaves and the cobwebs.. so much visible detail for your reader. I've said it before and I'll say it again.. you're the best!

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

Thank you, Dawny, you are too kind, my friend. I'll admit, free style verse is hardly my forte. However, I did give it my all, and all I have to give.

Thanks again for your exceptional comments and stellar rating.

They are deeply appreciated, my friend. :}

Comment from CHIGYSISKI

Excellent

Interesting entry for this contest. Definitely an unusual topic so should do well. I liked these lines very much:
swirling in a virulent vortex --

Well done!
Best wishes for the contest.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

Thank you very much, CHIGYSISKI, and I hope it resonates with those who care enough to read it, and does well.

Our bodies are nothing more than compost after we die, with no more pertinent significance than the withered, drying leaves in winter. It is our souls which make up who and what we truly are.

A cemetery simply provides a place for the empty shells to rest.

Thanks so much again for an outstanding review of my work. It is appreciated. :}

Comment from lindalcreel

Excellent

I love reading all of the entries in these contests. Some of the writers surprise me with their abilities. One day I might get up the nerve to enter one myself. One day. LOL

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, Linda. I hope you liked my meager attempt. I rarely write free verse poetry. In fact, this is only my third attempt at doing so. One really has to dig deeply and harness the proper emotions when doing so. it is far more difficult than I thought it would ever be.

Thanks so much again. :}

reply by lindalcreel on 15-Nov-2014

My pleasure:)

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

By the rules of this contest I would say you very easily have the winning poem. I think you met and surpassed all the guidelines. I am used to your eerie music. I could almost hear it as I read. Good luck.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2014

Thanks so much for your outstanding comments, Barbara. I hope many others feel as you do, although I fully realize there are some extremely talented poets competing in this. I will say that I gave it my all, and that's all I can give.

Thanks again for your encouraging and complimentary review. :}