Reviews from

A Scream Beyond the Darkness

Things aren't always what they seem to be...

72 total reviews 
Comment from mfowler
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is very nicely crafted narrative of the boy who overcomes the fear of a scream in the night, only to discover it is a barn owl at work. Your meter is spot on and this provides a nice rhythm for the reader. This is important to sustain interest in a longish poem which gradually invites the reader to find out what the noise is. You use great descriptive mood setting phrases and images which set up the mystery. Great work!

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 05-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Mark, I'm really glad that you liked this one. I realize it's a bit long, hence the generous price paid out for reading it. I appreciate your kind review, my friend!
Comment from GE Parson
Excellent
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Bro. Kuch,
If I didn't know better I'd surmise you were rear on the farm.
I don't believe I have heard heard a barn owl, but I have often enjoyed listening to "city" owls. When I was a teen-
ager (WOW that's been a long time ago!) there was an owl close by our house and it's "hoot hoot hooting" would put me to sleep each night.

I do enjoy your down to earth poetry - keep 'em coming,
Your Friend
Bro. Jerry

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 05-Apr-2014
    Hey, Jerry, thanks!

    I wasn't raised on a farm, but each summer me and my two younger brothers would go stay with papa Cook for a while and help him on his pig farm. It was hard work, that farmers life! But, it also taught us some valuable lessons.

    Yes, this is based on an actual event. Thanks so much for your excellent review!
Comment from persevere
Excellent
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This vividly descriptive, rhyming poem should be in an encyclopaedia under the description of the barn owl.As you point out, darkness amplifies the imagination. I remember, as a very young girl, that I was convinced that there was a vacuum cleaner being used at dead of night.....it was an older member of the family snoring rhymically!

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 05-Apr-2014
    Hah, thanks, that's exactly what I meant, persevere. In the absence of light, even the smallest things can seem terrifying under the right circumstances. A vacuum cleaner, huh? That's hilarious!
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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You definitely have an ability to construct a developing spine tingling narrative that develops momentum as it goes along! It was funny observing my own reaction at the end! Oh is that all it was! Great write Dean, I wonder if you get ' the stir " at church! I enjoyed this, well done, Blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 05-Apr-2014
    Hah, well, I hope not, Roy. Nothing too awful in this one, no lunatics slaughtering women, or guys going around chopping folks up. Just a sad old owl.

    I appreciate the review, my friend!
Comment from lancellot
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh how the imagination goes off in the strangest directions in the dead of night, alone in a creepy barn. I can see just how a owl can set off a mind that has a little of the darkness in it. Well done.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 05-Apr-2014
    Thank you very much, Lance. This is based on an actual event, when I was a very young boy working on my grandpa's farm. It is my first cognizant recollection of being terrified. I really appreciate your kind review and generous rating.
Comment from seaglass
Excellent
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This is a splendid poem. The descriptions of the barn makes it visible in the reader's imagination. The fear and mystery can be related to memories in the readers' minds. The picture is beautiful as part of your presentation. the author's notes are informative.It isn't often one reads a lovely poem and also learns something new.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-Apr-2014
    Thanks very much for your excellent review, seaglass. I'm really happy that you enjoyed this one!
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
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Stanza one is confusing. Who is "we"? You and your grandfather? I know it's the barn owl, but it's not clear.
it's frightful stare...(no apostrophe needed) A different turn here when your fear turns to gladness. The wink indicates you share a secret with him. - perhaps your fear that turned out to be nothing more than a mating call.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Shari. This is based on an actual experience, and my grandfather said exactly the same thing, that it was just a barn owl's mating call, or it saw some prey it wanted to munch on. Perhaps it wanted to munch on me, who can say for sure? I went back and saw him probably 20 or 30 more times after that. He was always in that same spot, making those God awful noises. Finally one day, he was gone.
Comment from DALLAS01
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

My grandpa's farm felt safe and warm,

we worked at it day and night.

I can't forget the eve we met,

as it gave me such a fright...

Opening with a safe place that is soon to be disturbed sets the stage for this wonderfully crafted poem that baits the reader to read on, and on. So many wonderful poetic devises. The alliteration is superb and does not seem at all contrived, remaining secondary to the rhyme and rhythm. Nice use of occasional assonance also. Stunning art work choices. Worthy of a six if I had one.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-Apr-2014
    Well, DALLAS, the simple fact that you liked it enough to award it a six is reward enough for me, my dear friend. I really appreciate your awesome review!
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
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Thanks for another great poem and a little change of pace from those which make us afraid to sleep at night. An old country boy, I've heard many night sounds that might cause an imagination to run wild, and they still give me a chill when unexpected. :-)

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-Apr-2014
    Thanks, Ric, I appreciate your review. My family and I recently moved back to the country, so these sorts of things are a daily event 'round these parts. This particular poem is based on an incident from my youth, from the first time I am truly cognizant of being terrified.
Comment from NamastaLee
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hey, how did you get that animated picture in there? Excellent poem -- I love owls and all they represent in both Western and Native culture. I've never been scared of them because, in my neck of the woods, they just make gentle ''Hoo'' sounds rather than screams. I usually have a hard time making it through a long poem, but this one kept my interest to the end. Great job! :)

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, namsata, I'm so glad the poem held your interests, as it is a bit long. It's based on an actual event from when I was a very young boy. I heard the "screaming", and although it was dark, I just had to go and see what it was.

    As for the animations...ah-h-h, trade secrets, lol.