Comment from JTStone

Exceptional

Now this is the stuff I read you for. I admire they way you can put words together. The crispness of the verse. The way I never stumble when I read it. The clever way you make your rhymes almost makes me want to write a poem--but why. I can read one of yours instead.
Jimmy
PS I read your Haiku--it was good, but I don't really like Haiku. Just me.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2016

I love the word economy of haiku, Jimmy. It really helps in your prose writing, too. You learn to convey a clear, concise message while hopefully delivering a crystal clear image in 17 syllables or less. That, in turn, trains you to write prose while trimming the unnecessary "fat" in the story and still be highly effective.
Thanks for the six stars for The Jade, Colossus. I managed to finish in a three way tie in this contest. Problem is, there were only four contestants, LOL.

Enjoy your weekend, my friend.
~Dean

Comment from royowen

Excellent

What is an obvious choice in this contest Dean, I nearly missed this one, must been a blind entry. The narrative is dashingly articulate, the tale is creative and emphatically smooth, the language is elegant as well as strong, the meter smooth, the aabb rhyming is also makes the piece complete, well done, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2016

It was a blind contest, Roy. and finished in a three way tie out of four entrants.
Oh well...
Thanks for your reviews.
~Dean

reply by royowen on 01-Apr-2016

That's happened to me as well

reply by the author on 01-Apr-2016

Lots of good reviews, not many voters. It's a frequent occurrence and quite a dilemma here.
~Dean

reply by royowen on 01-Apr-2016

I tend not to go in them Dean, I had a good run a little while ago, oh well, but it was a good work,

Comment from RPSaxena

Exceptional

Hello Dean Kuch,
Nice piece of Horror and Thriller Poetry meeting all the required norms and transparently depicting its theme!
Wording is impressive and perfectly matching with the theme.
Smooth, spontaneous and captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end with lovely rhyming scheme and lively imagery.
Picture enhances beauty of the poem.
Contest winner!
CONGRATULATIONS!!

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Apr-2016

Thanks so much, R.P., and I apologize for the lengthy delay in responding.
Don't think for one moment it's because I don't appreciate you or your support.
I really do!
I'm just s-o-o-o-o far behind, but I'm trying to get caught up.
Thanks again!
With gratitude,
~Dean :}

reply by RPSaxena on 08-Apr-2016

Hi Dean,
I know You are a multidimensional personality, and even then you are very particular about responding. I know it and can understand. Hence, No need of apology!
With best wishes,
RP.

Comment from Edgar Terrance

Excellent

Very cool Dean! The Black and Green colors are really kickass for this poem. You built it up for the ending great. I enjoyed how you wrote this, the rhymes and words you chose, the picture, and the overall story about Hell's Gate and the thing that was let loose on Earth... You :D Good Work!

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2016

Thanks, Edgar.
~Dean

Comment from Helen Bach

Excellent

This is great stuff Dean. You are definitely one of my favourite writers and not just on fanstory. You have a distinctive style and writers voice that stands out even amongst recognised published authors. I don't understand why you don't have loads of published books under your belt. I'm sure a publishing house would be interested in your work but even if you went along the self publishing route your work would find an audience and do well. You have a serious talent, my friend, make use of it xx

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2016

Thanks, Helen.
~Dean

Comment from D. E. Cruz

Exceptional

Applause for you again Sir. Kuch. I felt a sense of reality in this. I have heard about sailors, seaman, and mariner's not going out to sea during a certain time of year.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2016

Thanks for checking this out, D.E. Rider, and for your thoughtful comments as well. This particular poem has run the gamut as far as ratings and stars are concerned, garnering everything from three to six stars. So your very generous rating could not have come at a better time, and I do not take it lightly.
Thanks so much again for sharing your comments with me about my work.
With gratitude,
~Dean

Oh, and please, call me Dean. All of my friends do. ;)

Comment from Cry the Vile Rebel

Excellent

Dean, congratulations on the well-deserved win : )

This piece seems very "Poe-esque," to my ear, although I am no expert on Poe. Let me know if I am way off base. Anyway, as I know you are a fan of Poe, I hope you will take that as the compliment it was meant to be.

The driving internal rhymes yield exactly the effect I suppose you were striving for.

So much here to digest and contemplate. Could just be a warning against jealousy, but I'm thinking there's more to the tale. What happened in 1928 besides the world's largest hailstone falling in Nebraska on July 6th? The stock market crashed in 1929; the Great Depression started in 1930...hmmm and then there's the question of "Hell's Gate," I'm still gnawing on these questions. You make me think, and that's always a good thing. Have a great night, Dean.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2016

Thanks for reading, Cry.
Much obliged...
~Dean

Comment from LisaD123

Exceptional

This is a talented and entertaining poem and the image works perfectly with the poem. The internal and external rhyme make the poem a delight to read and the language chosen helps to create a series of powerful images in the reader's mind. The story is clearly and carefully told, and the idea is cleverly realised. Congratulations for an excellent poem.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 06-Apr-2016

Thanks so much, Lisa, and I apologize for the lengthy delay in responding.
Don't think for one moment it's because I don't appreciate you or your support.
I really do!
I'm just s-o-o-o-o far behind, but I'm trying to get caught up.
Thanks again!
With gratitude,
~Dean :}

Comment from winnona

Excellent

A very interesting poem. I think your choice of artwork and background color completed your poem nicely. I also think that your choice of words flowed line to line creating their own rhythm and conveyed the message of the poem to the reader nicely. Very well done.

 Comment Written 01-Apr-2016

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2016

Thanks for reading, winonna.
It is appreciated.
~Dean

Comment from Rdfrdmom2

Excellent

I am hoping I will not be sorry I am reading this just a few minutes prior
to going to bed. I'm not so much worried about how you personified your
emotion in your poem, but am a bit concerned about this picture. Geez,
it is downright scary.
good luck in the contest
jan

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2016

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reply by the author on 01-Apr-2016

I think you'll be fine, Jan. This poem isn't all that frightening, at least I don't feel it is.
Jealousy is a monster, plain and simple, and it can devour you whole if you allow it inside of you.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, and for the good luck wishes as well. Those are always welcome and needed.
It is appreciated.
With gratitude
~Me...