Comment from Chrissy710

Exceptional

Hi Lisa Oh what a terrific Tribute and so much emotion in your words I think we all felt a little stab when we learn't of Deans passing as he was part of our family I enjoyed doing a Hailu class and Anthology with him a few years ago and had the pleasire of speaking with him He was supportive and kind and such is our loss Cheers Chris

 Comment Written 29-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 29-Aug-2019

Thanks for your wonderful review and personal recollection of Dean's kind nature. Such a loss.

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

LM,

A beautiful free style poem on the way Dean's poetry touched us while he was living and the way his death caught us all up so short. What a shock and terrible surprise. Thank you for your sweet heart.

 Comment Written 28-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 28-Aug-2019

His loss has had a big impact on those who were touched by his kindness and admired his poetry. It brings our own mortality into sharp focus... as we perhaps ponder what our own legacy might be.
He leaves a very big gap.

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

This is a terrific poem for Dean. I hope he looked down and read it, because he would absolutely love it. I had a hard time with his dark poetry, finding it depressing. Once I asked him why he wrote only that kind, and he told me he had a condition that could kill him at any time, so he wrote dark poetry to let his feelings out. I think a lot of foiks shared those feelings, since he was a very popular poet here. I know he'll be missed.

 Comment Written 28-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 28-Aug-2019

Thanks for your wonderful review, Phyllis. I did not feel comfortable with Dean's dark imagery either, but I totally recognised his skill as a poet, and also was touched by how supportive and kind he was when reviewing. His departure is a great loss.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

Wow, this is fabulous poetry. I'm not sure I care for the idea of passing ghouls before ascending, but I know Dean worried about it terribly after (in his words) dying on the operating table and experiencing it. (I assured him it was merely a horrible dream.)

I worry about his family and how awfully frightened they might be (because if he told me and so many others, I'm sure he told them). But then, this poem certainly does speak to Dean's passion for the horror genre.

But he was also a professed Christian, and I am quite sure he did, in fact ascend.

"A death in our family -
a chill fact, delivered.
This matter-of-fact detail,
so minor in the cosmos,
is major."

Well written tribute from start to finish.

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

I hope his family are finding comfort in Dean's faith taking him to safety. Thanks for your wonderful review. He told me that operating table story and, as horrific as it was, I assured him it was his reaction to the anaesthetic.

reply by Dawn Munro on 27-Aug-2019

Yes, that's a great point. I told him it was a dream because that's where his mind dwelt mostly. I don't think he believed any of the reassurances by anyone though.
I met Dean when I first joined FS. We 'talked' many times, about all kinds of things, but that episode was his Achilles heel.
I'll miss him.

reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

I see you've been a member for 7 years. I only had the benefit of 7 months of peripherally knowing him and his influence. Such a loss.

reply by Dawn Munro on 27-Aug-2019

Big time loss, and that's without even mentioning his fabulous work. He was truly a nice guy. We had our disagreements from time to time -- one issue I thought he should not have interfered in at all -- but the true test of character (IMO) is the ability to move forward in spite of differences. Dean was able to do that, which speaks volumes. He was also always willing to help out where he could.

reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

Accommodating difference is a big part of what is lacking in the world today, so that quality of his will indeed be sorely missed.

reply by Dawn Munro on 27-Aug-2019

:(( Yes.

Comment from karenina

Excellent

I read Tom's poem and recognized "The darkly poetic" as a reference from his poem (I just read it moments ago)--You have taken that and woven a wonderfully sincere and heartfelt verse that would surely make Dean smile...even as he shakes his heavenly head at all the fuss we're making. I too find words fail me when I think of his loss... You have written a fitting tribute that speaks for each of us, for our belov'ed Dean.--Karenina

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

I didn't want to make a direct steal, so I changed his noun 'the dark poetic' to become an adjective in mine, 'the darkly poetic'.
I feel you are right about Dean smiling from above - he will be recognising that our poems are sincere, and probably skilfully executed - he will be enjoying reviewing them, while shaking his head at the fuss.

reply by karenina on 27-Aug-2019

Yes, I saw that...I was gong to explain it in my comments but it's there for all to see if they take the time (as they ought to) to read Tom's write as well. You truly honored Dean...thanks so much for that!--Karenina

Comment from poetwatch

Excellent

This is a great tribute to Dean in free verse form. Mike would love it also. :) LisaMay, sometimes when you write it moves the soul and many times, I don't know how to review. You is a very good poet. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

Thanks for your sympathetic review. I never had any personal contact with Mike (I assume you mean Michael Cahill) as I only joined FS at the beginning of the year). It is apparent how both poets were exceptional writers themselves and so encouraging of others.
Don't spare a thought about how you should review my poems - it is sufficient for me to read that you took time to check out something I wrote... whatever you say is worth my time to read.

Comment from Y. M. Roger

Excellent

So beautiful and so very 'ethereally dark'... just like Dean would like it to be!! ;) :) Thanx so much, L-M, for this totally unique offering -- what an awesome vision you paint here!! ;) :) Yvette :)

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

Thanks for your review, Yvette. Dean encouraged us to listen to our own 'voices' - I think free verse is my strength.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Loved this, LisaMay! You chose a free verse form but you employed a lot of Dean's style with lively personification (graveyard ghouls itching their backs like cats), alliteration and internal rhymes. You also end on a high note with him "Ascending" above all those visions.

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

Thanks for your comments... I think free verse is my strength, and Dean was such an encourager of finding our own 'voice'.
In my poem, I didn't want to leave Dean with the ghosts and ghouls - I pictured him ascending as they scattered, and he was free of their menace.

Comment from Gail Denham

Excellent

The dark poetic. Certainly this flavor is coming through in all these poems. Enjoyed reading your poem - some clever ways of giving tribute to an excellent writer and encourager.

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

Thanks for your review, Gail.

Comment from Loren .

Excellent

I think Dean would be greatly flattered with this poetic tribute and rendering to him and the works he left that he may continue to share. He's probably looking down right now and saying thank you. Loren

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2019

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reply by the author on 27-Aug-2019

I hope he has ascended above the ghosts and ghouls that always seemed to be nipping at his heels.
Thanks for your review comments.