Naked
The gun was hot and he was naked.88 total reviews
Comment from Alec Gould
You do have a special gift my friend. As in your other writings, you seem to be able to "delve in" and catch the full feeling of the topic. May the weekend be safe and great for you! ~Alec
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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You do have a special gift my friend. As in your other writings, you seem to be able to "delve in" and catch the full feeling of the topic. May the weekend be safe and great for you! ~Alec
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Thank you, Alec, for your review and wishes for a great weekend here in Mexico where I am working on my next poem.
Comment from MercurySeven
"where to be without a gun is to be naked."
I like how you seized hold of the irony of that idea and ran with it to find its absurd extreme. Most of us have a pretty firm stance on gun rights, one way or the other, but what this gentleman did transcends all politics or arguments for or against gun ownership. It's just pure survival, pure heroism. Can't be taught. I do think it's something each of us has in us, but it might take a different scenario to trigger it in different people. This guy's decisiveness is rare in civilian life, I believe. And I'll wager a lot of people who own a gun still wouldn't have acted against the naked shooter even if they'd been carrying their weapon.
"to clothe ourselves with a garment of courage
we never knew our closet possessed."
It's a very thought-provoking piece, Andre. I like that it isn't strident at all, as many gun issue writes are. It leaves us all asking, what would we have done? Who or what might Mr. Shaw's heroics inspire in future?
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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"where to be without a gun is to be naked."
I like how you seized hold of the irony of that idea and ran with it to find its absurd extreme. Most of us have a pretty firm stance on gun rights, one way or the other, but what this gentleman did transcends all politics or arguments for or against gun ownership. It's just pure survival, pure heroism. Can't be taught. I do think it's something each of us has in us, but it might take a different scenario to trigger it in different people. This guy's decisiveness is rare in civilian life, I believe. And I'll wager a lot of people who own a gun still wouldn't have acted against the naked shooter even if they'd been carrying their weapon.
"to clothe ourselves with a garment of courage
we never knew our closet possessed."
It's a very thought-provoking piece, Andre. I like that it isn't strident at all, as many gun issue writes are. It leaves us all asking, what would we have done? Who or what might Mr. Shaw's heroics inspire in future?
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Yes, MercurySeven, I pray that I have the courage to act decisively and timely if the need arrives. In Shaw's interviews he says he is not a super hero but a regular guy like us, and each of us has the potential to do what he did. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Hitcher
I saw the story on the news over here in NZ, he is definitely a modern day hero, few would of had the balls to do what he did. I loved your choice of artwork mate : )) And I enjoyed your well crafted poem... Nice!!
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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I saw the story on the news over here in NZ, he is definitely a modern day hero, few would of had the balls to do what he did. I loved your choice of artwork mate : )) And I enjoyed your well crafted poem... Nice!!
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Oh, thank you, Hitcher, for your review of my well-crafted poem. Yes, few would have had the balls to do what he did.
I love the artwork so much that I paid the artist $15 for permission to use it online.
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That was very nice of you mate, a gentleman for sure : ))
Comment from Colette
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, it gave me a sense of hope in humanity, Yes! Your poem gave me that.
Great vibrant writing!
All the best.
Colette
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, it gave me a sense of hope in humanity, Yes! Your poem gave me that.
Great vibrant writing!
All the best.
Colette
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Yes, Colette, Shaw's split second action gave me hope. Thank you for your review of my vibrant writing.
Comment from Chrissy710
Hi Andre What a terrific poem and you tell this story so well in a few short stanzas and you last one particularly was food for thought I hope we would all clothe ourselves in garments of courage given the right circumstances A worthy read worthy of a six Cheers Christine
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Hi Andre What a terrific poem and you tell this story so well in a few short stanzas and you last one particularly was food for thought I hope we would all clothe ourselves in garments of courage given the right circumstances A worthy read worthy of a six Cheers Christine
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Thank you, Christine, for granting my poem its second six star review. Yes, I hope we all will clothe ourselves in the garment of courage given the right circumstance.
Comment from victor 66
Your poem and the story that relates to the event in Nashville, Tennessee, extolls so much about real courage. You're right, a gun did not stop the gunman who was a mass killer, it was a man without a gun. It will be interesting to see what lies in our future. This was a very good read.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Your poem and the story that relates to the event in Nashville, Tennessee, extolls so much about real courage. You're right, a gun did not stop the gunman who was a mass killer, it was a man without a gun. It will be interesting to see what lies in our future. This was a very good read.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Yes, Victor, it will be interesting to see what lies in our future. Shaw hopes his actions inspires others to do the same. Thank you for your reivew.
Comment from HaleyBel
A very well thought out and put together message.
The drawing is an excellent idea. It's so sad too.
It took courage to stand up to him, yes, but his honesty stands out to me as he admits his fight to survive. I think the final paragraph could have been longer but having said that...
I found your work very interesting, very good incorporating quotations in a short piece.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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A very well thought out and put together message.
The drawing is an excellent idea. It's so sad too.
It took courage to stand up to him, yes, but his honesty stands out to me as he admits his fight to survive. I think the final paragraph could have been longer but having said that...
I found your work very interesting, very good incorporating quotations in a short piece.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Oh, thank you, Haley, for giving my poem its first six star review. Shaw said he was more scared of dying and never seeing his daughter again than he was brave in the traditional sense. Burning his hand and arm, he fought Reinking for control of the smoking gun for two minutes. He knew that if he had released it, Reinking would kill him. Shaw won the struggle.
I wanted Shaw to take centerstage in my poem and used as many of his quotes as possible.
Yes, Jones' cartoon is an excellent idea. I knew when I saw it, I paid him $15 for permission to use it.
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I have just nominated you as a reviewer too. From, my analysis so far, you deserve it.
Your critiquing is constructive and helpful and not demeaning. I love writing it is an expression, an art to me and good therapy. :) I would love to be a strong author one day.
Comment from Sharon Haiste
Very well said. Your verse tells a strong truth here and passes on a good message.
It's hard to believe that anyone really thinks that the way to deal with the gun issue is to have more guns.
Sharon
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Very well said. Your verse tells a strong truth here and passes on a good message.
It's hard to believe that anyone really thinks that the way to deal with the gun issue is to have more guns.
Sharon
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Yes, Sharon, Shaw's action disrobes the argument that we need more guns to protect us. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello Andre,
Your exceptional free verse poetic offering of the events of April 22, 2018, at the Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, is timely and "naked" with truth:
Within each of us lies the potential for heroism,
to clothe ourselves with a garment of courage
we never knew our closet possessed.
~~~~~
I have watched the televised interviews with James Shaw, Jr., and you have encapsulated the events superbly. I would hope that I, too, would be able to clothe myself "with a garment of courage" I "never knew" my "closet possessed" if I was ever called upon to do so.
So grateful that you crafted and posted this incredibly important verse...
diane
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Hello Andre,
Your exceptional free verse poetic offering of the events of April 22, 2018, at the Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee, is timely and "naked" with truth:
Within each of us lies the potential for heroism,
to clothe ourselves with a garment of courage
we never knew our closet possessed.
~~~~~
I have watched the televised interviews with James Shaw, Jr., and you have encapsulated the events superbly. I would hope that I, too, would be able to clothe myself "with a garment of courage" I "never knew" my "closet possessed" if I was ever called upon to do so.
So grateful that you crafted and posted this incredibly important verse...
diane
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Yes, Diane, I hope I, too, can clothe myself with the garment of courage when the need arises. Thank you for your review.
Comment from ameen786
Andre my friend, good to see you back; this is a superb take on the current gun control/political environment; you said it profoundly, "Clothe ourselves with a garment of courage,"- that's what our leadership/politicians need to do; thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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Andre my friend, good to see you back; this is a superb take on the current gun control/political environment; you said it profoundly, "Clothe ourselves with a garment of courage,"- that's what our leadership/politicians need to do; thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 27-Apr-2018
reply by the author on 27-Apr-2018
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You're welcome, Ameen. I had to say something. That mass shooting was so bizarre but it says a lot about our country. Thank you for your review.
