Reviews from

A Murder Most Fowl

It's best to be happy with who--or what--we are...

138 total reviews 
Comment from Loren (7)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Talk about a trickster "A Murder Most Fowl" Agatha Christie must be smiling. Loved the theme of this and the juxtaposition of the soul of the bird with the tormented emotions of the "human" - and of course the revealing twist mid-way. As your poem points out, we have much to learn from nature, but the folklore of our early Native Americans.

 Comment Written 01-May-2014


reply by the author on 03-May-2014
    Thanks very much, Loren (7), and I hope Agatha is smiling, and not angry with me. I can ill afford any more peed-off ghosts after my skinny frame, lol!

    I sincerely appreciate the awesome review, my friend.
Comment from sparksss
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You're taking all of my 6 star ratings! Good grief.

This was an interesting journey. I did and I didn't know where it was going. Knowing where it was going brought comfort while not being certain brought satisfaction. I know you cited Native American influences for this piece but I felt just a glimmer of Poe in there... That could be because I literally just read "The Raven" last week.

I'm no expert, I'm really at the experimentation phase in my writing journey, but this felt like literary brilliance. I could see this piece easily blending quite well in my Literature Text for school.

Nothing you aren't already aware of, I'm sure... This was not only clever, but the use of exquisite vocabulary made the journey even more satisfying.

You certainly deserved Poem of the month! Congrats!

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-May-2014
    Thanks, sparksss, and I apologize for the long duration between your review and this reply. I am so-o-o-o far behind! I never get tired of someone telling me that something inspired them, resonated deeply within them, and that they loved and enjoyed reading something I'd written. It feels just as fresh and invigorating no matter how many times one hears such things. It is one of my reasons for writing, to inspire and enrich the lives of others, if I possibly can.

    Thanks so much, again!
Comment from RYME4U
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is extremely well done. An exciting story, the delightful rhythm and the perfect rhymes...All a joy to read. Interesting author's notes, too. You have done a marvelous job and are much deserving of this 'poem of the month' award.

 Comment Written 28-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 28-Apr-2014
    Thank you, RHYME4U, I am really pleased to know that you enjoyed it, my friend. I appreciate your generous review of six stars as well.
Comment from Contests

Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for the recognition this post has received from the FanStory community. While this was not a Contest Committee decision, the committee recognizes this achievement with a seven star review.

 Comment Written 26-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 26-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, I'm truly honored. I was surprised and pleased just to be nominated. But winning was completely unexpected.
Comment from nelliesellie
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I love the picture. I love the poem. I am half Indian. I was raised to believe we keep coming back to earth until we have learned our lessons. We will come back as an animal if we really screw up. I think she came back as a crow because she needed to find peace with life. Great work.

 Comment Written 23-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 23-Apr-2014
    Thanks, nelliesellie. I am so glad you liked it. I, too, am part Indian, Comanche Indian, my Mother's side.
Comment from maggieadams
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow, Dean, this is fantastic...symbolic,a rhythmic and aabb poem full of alliteration and sensory details. The added history of the crow in Indian culture added that extra appeal.

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 20-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, Maggie. I'm really happy to hear that you liked this poem. Thanks for the very gracious comments and most generous review, my friend!
reply by maggieadams on 20-Apr-2014
    You deserved it. Would love a review of my chapter: are you my mother...always appreciate hearing from you.
reply by the author on 21-Apr-2014
    Will do, Maggie. Thanks again!
reply by maggieadams on 21-Apr-2014
    You are winning the poetry contest and it is deserved.
Comment from Bill Schott
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is a cool ass story in poem form of an apparently dreaming crow sad to live a flightless life. This one was different as the crow spoke logically of the seemingly silly idea of jumping off a cliff when all that could happen would be death. Loved this one all the way through including the lesson in Native American lore in the author notes.

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 18-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, Bill, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed reading this one. I realize it is quite a bit different from my regular fare, but I do try to challenge myself from time to time.

    Thanks so much again!
Comment from forestport12
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow. How did I miss this one? I was enthralled with the author notes as much as the poem. Whispering trees etc.. so many tasty parts and together is a masterpiece. Good luck.

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 18-Apr-2014
    Thank very much, Stan. I'm really pleased to know that you liked this one. The poem is based on some old Chippewa Indian folk tales about some very bad children turning into crows to be taught a lesson. After being made to eat carrion, and scavenge for food, they learned their lesson, all right.

    I'm grateful for the complimentary comments and six stars, my friend!
Comment from Tatarka2
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I thought this was just exquisite. The rhyming echoes perfectly throughout the poem, making it flow lyrically. The reader is able to "see" the forlorn girl - the such a satisfying ending, as she discovers what seems to be her true nature. This was lovely, in addition to being educational without pontificating (which is not easy). Congratulations on a job very well done.

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2014
    Thank you so much for such a complimentary review and most generous rating, Tatarka2. I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it, my friend!
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is very well put together. Great image and the perfect nostalgia, the subject matter deemed almost romantic.
Great interaction in dialogue and main body.
Well done,
Rgstar

 Comment Written 17-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 17-Apr-2014
    Thank you very much, RGstar. I'm very pleased to know that you enjoyed it, and I'm very grateful for your most generous rating.

    Be well, my friend!