Comment from CR Delport

Excellent

It is so sad that the medical treatment of a human being comes down to cost. I hope one day humanity can evolve to a point where a human being can go for any kind of treatment without the worry of cost. This is another great work of art that is very well written.

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2013

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2013

Thanks very much,CR, I agree with you one-hundred percent. Not about it being a great work of art, but about whether or not a person is deemed worthy of living based simply on his check book...

As always, I appreciate your unique insights.

Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Excellent

I do hope the handwriting does not herald in such drastic measures.
Choices...Too many damn choices.
A visual masterpiece and a thought provoking and confronting poem.
It sure took me out of my comfort zone.

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 Comment Written 22-Sep-2013

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2013

Thanks, seken58, I'm very happy you thought so. If you reside in the US, it should take you out of your comfort zone. It should shake us all up a bit, in fact. We can't allow hospital death panels to determine whether someone lives or dies simply based on how much money they have. Isn't a human beings life worth far more than that?

reply by Shirley E Kennedy on 22-Sep-2013

thankfully I live in Australia but change is on the way here too and not all of ir is positive.
We all feel like pawns in a bad game of chess much too often for comfort.

Comment from michaelcahill

Excellent

wonderful. as always for me. words first. very well written piece. stands easily on its own with some amazing imagery with a great deal of humor that is more witty than just funny but it is very, very subtle and way under the surface. the presentation is astonishing to say the least. your notes are always a starting point for any thinking person. they stand themselves as a worthy and thoughtful piece of prose worthy or a serious read. the music and image are perfect. this is just amazing really. A strange thing to be put in mind of but, I always feel like I am stepping into Great Moments With Lincoln at Disneyland as a little boy. Sounds strange, but, believe me it is a great compliment. thank you very much for this and the time, skill and effort it took. mike

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 Comment Written 22-Sep-2013

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2013

Well, I do take that as a great compliment Michael, thank you! I'm very happy to know that you caught the tongue-in-cheek side of this, as well. Death panels in hospitals are a serious topic, for sure. But we can't take everything at face value so seriously, otherwise we'd all go insane!

Thanks again for you wonderful review, my friend!

Comment from alexgeorge

Exceptional

Your poems always manage to move me, Dean, and I can't wait to buy your published book of poems, for there is no other person more deserving of this recognition than you.

You have awakened a big dilemma with the author's notes. Indeed, where does one draw the line? Sentencing sick people to death because they are too costly to nurse back to health...

 Comment Written 22-Sep-2013

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reply by the author on 22-Sep-2013

True, Alex, and I find it very scary. It's as if these hospital administrators are asked to play God, and that's not good. I fear that's precisely where we are headed here in the US, and as I am getting on in age myself, I find it to be a terrifying one.

Thanks so much for this wonderful review, and for grasping my point dead-on, my friend!