Comment from DragonSkulls

Exceptional

Wow. What a phenomenal piece of poetry. You executed this ode perfectly, my friend. I'm pretty sure I know who it is. Whatever the case, a very deserving piece for my vote, without a doubt. Fantastic writing. Loved the piece from beginning to end. Best of luck in the contest.

DS

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thanks, DS, what a wonderful compliment. I am deeply honored, and more importantly, I am happy that you liked it.

reply by DragonSkulls on 10-Mar-2014

Sorry my vote didn't put you in the lead. You're only one down from the top though.

reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thanks. I do the prompts primarily because it forces me to think and write. Winning is nice, too (LOL)!

Thanks for the vote, though. Much obliged!

Comment from Louise Michelle

Excellent

Hi Dean,

I was going to say you must have been channeling Poe, but then I read your notes. It seems to me you have a deep understanding of good, evil, creativity and madness by the way you utilize all of this in your postings.

Hugs,
Lou

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Hugs right back at ya, Louise. I really do appreciate the fact that you understood that. After two four-star ratings in a row from readers who said it was too hard to understand, I needed a bit of a boost!

reply by Louise Michelle on 10-Mar-2014

I've come to learn that when a reader really gets what I've written, it's a bonus. We all have much to read here and can't always give postings the time and thought they may deserve.

Comment from ennahanid

Exceptional

In all honesty I have to admit this is a little bit over my old head, read it three times. But! That being said it is in my opinion a 'work of art' and I do not have to totally understand it to appreciate it...the same way when I have seen art in the Museum or Art Gallery I may not have got what the artist was getting at to recognize it as prime.

I have to give you a six because I am in awe at the quality of the write and the entire presentation - Dinah

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thank you, Dinah, I am very flattered and humbled by your honest comments. Although it uses archaic vocabulary, it is about a man who is very ill, and when he looks into the mirror he sees a monster instead of his reflection. The sickness instead of the soul, if you will. The word "apocryphal" means false, or fake. It is not really his reflection that he sees, although he feels that it is. That's the basic gist of it. I hope I've helped out.

reply by ennahanid on 10-Mar-2014

A lifelong problem in not always 'getting it' although Shakespeare and The Poets were jammed down the throat from about 5 years old in school...so I have never read actually as an adult any of the wonderful poets of old.

A little bit like Dorian Gray then but backwards LOL

Thank you for the explanation and understanding. I have gone back and re-read it with that in mind, although I felt that was the gist of it. Very impressive a write in my honest opinion like I said - a work of art - Dinah

Comment from Rondeno

Good

Alright, you're attempting a Poe pastiche. But in what sense is the apparition "apocryphal"? Can something be both forlorn and frivolous?

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
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 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Sure, I certainly think so, Rondeno. Take your average politician, for example, LOL. Forlorn? Most certainly. Frivolous? You bet 'cha. And the pure definition of "apocryphal" is:false; spurious: He told an apocryphal story about the sword, but the truth was later revealed. What I saw was a lie, an untruth, and not my true reflection.

I appreciate your thoughtful response, my friend.

Comment from padumachitta

Excellent

Hello. Well you did undeed capture the great Poe's style. You got the chill, the edge of what is coming, the madness that lies ever under.
I think I will keep the lights on now.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Ha ha, thank you, padumachitta, for me, that's quite a compliment. If it gave you goosebumps, then you certainly grasped the meaning of my poem, and it did just as it was intended to do. I am truly grateful for your awesome review.

Comment from amahra

Excellent

You've entered a very nice poem for this contest. I really like the art work you chose for this piece. I loved the words and phrasing of the writing.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thank you for your kind words and comments, amahra. I sincerely appreciate it.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

A very well written contest entry that has a rather staccato narrative to it, which is in keeping with the overall image that the author would try to project in this spooky anecdotal narrative! It appears to ebb and flow with a slightly malevolent feel! The writing is descriptively good, and the rhyme scheme works well. Blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thank you, Roy, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I rather enjoyed your lovely review and comments as well!

I appreciate it, Roy.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

This is sublime poetry, in my opinion. Flawless meter and rhyme, intense and dramatic imagery evoked, a symphony of sound when read aloud - powerful!

Six-worthy, but I just gave my last one away. (I'm sure it will receive many, though - stunning presentation as well.)

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thank you for your very kind comments, Dawn. No six necessary, the fact that you enjoyed it is reward enough for me.

reply by Dawn Munro on 10-Mar-2014

It's fabulous!

Comment from akulkumol

Excellent

A shivering flowed through me after reading this poem. I am a technical person had some difficulty finding the meaning out the words like pernicious, scruples, apocryphal etc, which are literary words and I not used to these words, any some how got the meaning and enjoyed reading and learnt a lot about the use of different words I mentioned. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thank you, akulkumol, I appreciate your candor and honesty, my friend.

Pernicious means wicked, or evil.

Scruples refers to a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.

apocryphal means false, or fake; phony.

Regardless of the words used, I'm impressed you were able to grasp the concept. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.

Comment from SLHarper

Exceptional

This is a glass-shattering, ear-splitting self reckoning, for which I have the utmost appreciation and understanding. I am a Poe enthusiast, besides, and I've been haunted by that specter of madness, myself. This is a bold piece, which I hope gains the admiration it deserves! Good luck in your contest! Cheers, Steph

 Comment Written 10-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Mar-2014

Thanks for such an enthusiastic response, Steph. The fact that you too are a fan of Poe's brilliant works makes your comments all the more meaningful. I truly appreciate it!