Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

Instantly, I see the men running from the boats into the water and on to the shore and then dropping as they are fired upon. The beach was covered with thousands.
Congratulations, Dean, for your first place win. Bravo!

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thank, Ellen. That was exactly the image I'd hoped to project, and I appreciate you letting me know that it worked for you.
I appreciate the congrats, and the kind review.~Dean ;)

Comment from Aussie

Excellent

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. You have offered not only sunbaking but open graves ready to be filled. Your haiku really hit the spot. It was relating a story that is happening today, all the fighting that is going on. Congratulations on winning the contest. Well done poet.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks so much, Aussie, I'm really glad that you enjoyed my haiku. Have a fantastic weekend, my friend, and thanks again~
~Dean :}

Comment from misscookie

Exceptional

Just looking at the photo you can tell another son or daughter is gone.
Still we are sorry to say, there is room for at least two more. God blessed them and may they rest in peace.
Cookie

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Amen, Donna.
Thanks for the six star rating. As a former veteran myself, I can't tell you how much you thoughtful comments mean to me.
I am very grateful you took the time to review my poem.
~Dean

reply by misscookie on 25-Jul-2015

It was my pleasure and thank you for your honorable service.
Cookie

reply by the author on 25-Jul-2015

That was MY pleasure, my friend. I'd do it all over again too, if I could.
Thanks again. :-)

reply by misscookie on 25-Jul-2015

God blessed you always.
Cookie

Comment from The Death

Excellent

Hi Dean,

Your poem has strong imagery, and it tends to create a sad, haunting atmosphere. Congratulations on winning the contest! :)

Well, to be honest, I would say this isn't completely a haiku...but keeping in mind the contest directives, I won't rate it down. The reason I said that is, a haiku should be able to stand on its own.

Suppose, you are reading this haiku without the artwork and anything related to contest.

on a sun-scorched beach

few spots remain open

men fight to fill them

When I read these lines, I can imagine a sun-scorched beach with "open" spots - and that's it! Your last in ironical, but it doesn't serve well the purpose of satori, in the absence of that pic. Also, nowhere does it take my mind toward the grave concept. The ideas get a bit distract in the interconnected lines only, so the mental image part gets a bit distracted.

Overall, your poem has great visuals. Also, it sounds good, with no fillers in it. I'm sure every one would have enjoyed the atmosphere you created with this, and that's why you won. :) Hope you're doing well. I'm not as active here as I used to be.

Regards,
Anupam

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks for providing your reasons why you didn't care for the haiku, Anupam, and I appreciate your honesty.

I'm doing okay, day to day. I had a recent scare with my heart when my defibrillator went off, knocking me unconscious and landing me a five day "vacation" in the local hospital. Other than that, I'm fine.
How about you? How have you been holding up?
~Dean

Comment from Dr. Ron

Excellent

Wow...very impactful. You also manage some effective alliteration within the short span of syllables (as I have just done). "Sun-scorched" is such a vivid and painful descriptive of the battle field. Kudos to you!

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Ha-ha, yeah, the alliteration in your review was superb, Dr. Ron, LOL.
Thanks so much for the great feedback and thoughtful comments. I'm glad you enjoyed my haiku, and I certainly appreciate you spending your valuable time to read and review it.
Much obliged, my friend, and take care!
~Dean

Comment from Nosha17

Excellent

They do indeed 'fight to fill them'. The tragedy of war, too many lives sacrificed for what? Excellent choice of words and message. Congrats on your win. Faye

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks for reading, and appreciating the message here, Faye. I sincerely appreciate your kind comments.
~Dean :}

Comment from amada

Excellent

Congratulations in winning the contest, very well deserved. Your short three lines carry deep a deep message. Great command of the lines. Wow!

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks very much, Amanda. I like "Wow!", wow is good, heh-heh.
I'm really glad you enjoyed my entry, Amanda, and I certainly appreciate your very enthusiastic response.
All my best, my friend.
~Dean :}

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

I can see how you won this contest, Dean. What a haunting Haiku this one is. It filled the prompts expectations brilliantly. Your words are sad though, because they are true, and it will keep on happening. Well done, my friend. xsx Sandra

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks very much for reading my entry, Sandra. I appreciate the kind words, and your time.
Much obliged, my friend. ~Dean :}

Comment from MsPetra

Excellent

Well done all the way around. I see why you won the contest. Your poem goes very well with the image you selected.
Your words were spot on with the format. I liked the deeper meaning. You did a great job.
As usual, I will be looking forward to future offerings from you.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thank, Ms.Petra. I really appreciate your complimentary comments, as well as you taking the time to review my haiku entry.
All is appreciated, my friend, and have a safe and relaxing weekend.
~Dean :)

Comment from Shirley B

Exceptional

What a wonderful poem. I love the imagery and the satire. The satori line is perfect in this haiku. I love 'deep' poems that make people think. I can see why you won this contest. Great job, Shirley

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2015

Thanks very much, Shirley. I am really happy to know that you enjoyed reading this.
Depth is what haiku is all about, I feel. I'll admit, I didn't care too much for haiku and senryu until I began studying up on the intricacies and how (and why) it is written. I now have a much greater appreciation for it.
Thanks again for you kind compliments and six stars, my friend. I hope you have a fantastic weekend.
~Dean :}