Reviews from

I Knew Better.

Living & dying with the haunting ghosts of addiction...

102 total reviews 
Comment from Heidixoxo
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Dean....
WOW....this is such a beautiful dedication to an amazing man whom will be missed so dearly. Your feelings of passion are clearly felt while reading this. You truly deserve the entire 6 stars I've given. So touching yet bravery is felt. Many more should speak or write on the topic. Great job my friend. A beautiful tribute as well. Many will enjoy reading this as I have. Thank you for sharing....xoxo

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2014
    Thanks so much for the excellent commentary and thoughtful review, Heidixoxo. I also appreciate the six star rating. I am very pleased that you enjoyed it.
Comment from ArtGal
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dean, I thought this was wonderful! What a real shame that Robin Williams couldn't fight his addiction and depression. I've always said that if you have the guts to commit suicide, then you have the guts to keep on living. You speak of purgatory and being buried with sin. I would like to think that for those with a mental illness, God might have a classroom to teach of salvation and then let them choose. I hope I may be right. Another excellent poem. . .Sharon

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2014
    As he is a most loving and forgiving God, I would say He has something much like that in place, ArtGal. I'm very grateful for the six stars as well as for your outstanding review. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on this~
reply by ArtGal on 16-Aug-2014
    You're so very welcome, Dean.
Comment from seaglass
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Poor Robin, not only did he suffer from depression and addiction, he had discovered he had Parkinson's. Addiction is enough to drive someone to hopelessness without the other ailments. There are many in this state...so sad.

 Comment Written 16-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2014
    Yes, it was probably that discovery that simply crushed whatever will he had left to live right out of him.

    Thanks so much for your thoughtful review, seaglass.
Comment from LoannaLois
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Those words,"I knew that I could never win-" are the words that break your heart. The facts are known, and it still doesn't matter. When it matters, you have to do something about it...so it just can't matter. You nailed it, friend. This one is special to me.
I loved Robin Williams.

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2014
    Thank you very much for your exceptional rating and wonderful review, L. Lois. I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me on the poem.~Dean
Comment from grannyfrannie
Excellent
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This is wonderful - but it makes me cry. I totally thought of Robin BEFORE I ever read your notes. Such a sad thing. We all need to know that nothing in this world is worth taking your own life. All one must do is ask God for help to guide their thoughts.

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 16-Aug-2014
    Thank you very much, grannyfrannie, my dear friend. You are right, it is such a sad, somber situation. Being very close to suicide myself once, it was by God's grace alone that I was saved, in more ways than one. I have never looked back since that day in '86. I'm not sure why He felt I was worthy of saving, but He did, and I am here.

    I truly appreciate your very kind comments.~Dean
Comment from dennis0530
Excellent
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The author writes about pressure - especially from close associates.

So strong is the compulsion to conform that even those with strong character crumble before in the faceof this powerful and invisible force. This in spite of knowing one's strength, all too frequently underestimated. And dearly paid for in the end.

Too late now, but things might have turned for the better - If Only I Had Known Better.

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014

Comment from harmony13
Excellent
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Excellent Poem! The author's words are strong and thought provoking. The poem is creative and send a strong haunting about addiction. The author's notes are great - thank you.
The artwork is eccentric and compliments this poem.

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014

Comment from Writingfundimension
Excellent
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Dear Horrormeister: What a great short ghost poem. And I love your dedication of this piece to Robin Williams. As a fellow sufferer from lifelong depression, I was especially moved by his passing. My prayers have been going up for his soul to be at peace. Great job, Dean!

Hugs, Bev

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
    Thanks, Bev. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me on the poem. Yes, Robin Williams will be greatly missed, and the world is a little bit darker without him in it, I think. I hope God has a great sense of humor. But of course He does, He made me, right? Heh-heh...
reply by Writingfundimension on 15-Aug-2014
    I remember a birthday card that I once sent to a friend:

    Outside:

    'When God made you he broke the mold...

    Inside:

    'Then he beat the hell out of the mold maker.'

    hehehehehehe

    xx Bev
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
    8>]
Comment from rjuselius
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

this is a brilliant entry for the ghost poem. it is clever and very unique! it actually fits two contests becuase you could've entered the addiction poem with this. but i think you made a wise choice:)
thank you for sharing!
good luck in the contest!

rebekka x

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014


reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
    Thanks very much, Rebekka, I'm really glad you liked it. It was entered into the Short Poems - Ghosts contest a couple of days ago. You can check the contest outcome on the results page, if you like. Just go to "Contests", then "View Booths", and scroll down until you find that expired contest...
Comment from judiverse
Excellent
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I like the first person approach for this. It personalizes Robin Williams's struggles with addiction. Some would argue that addiction had nothing to do with his death--that it was mental illness. But couldn't addiction have contributed to his depression? Much remains to be learned. (I read that James Garner, who lived to be 86, regularly used marijuana, and he wasn't suicidal. Williams must have felt defeated, as you suggest. Your rhyme and flow are excellent. Too bad the world lost such a talent before his time. judi

 Comment Written 15-Aug-2014