Comment from padumachitta

Excellent

Hey Dean. You and your poem, so right. I think this dang Internet and Social media stuff, well..it is so easy to hide behind a mask that is not real, to reinvent someone we are not.
I hope many read this and think...
padumachitta

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

As do I, padu. You're absolutely right, though. However, you learn to tell fairly quickly who's being genuine, and who is trying to simply float your boat. At least, if you're the least bit perceptive, you do.

Thanks so much for the excellent review. I really appreciate your comments. :}

~DeanO

reply by padumachitta on 18-Nov-2014

Well hey...i am 55, 68 kilo(ok I lied...69), 165 cm(at least when i was 40)...I use to drink too much, and have a fast temper but a big enough heart ... I am taken to be windy(verbally and otherwise; the affliction of age)...i don't suffer fools, but can be a pain in the ass myself...when i get scared(i am easily spooked by people, but not my environment or bears, or cougars, or big dogs or horses)...then i wear my anger mask, but mostly, i stumble along trying to do as little damage as possible...and mostly i am so happy tohave writing buddies like you...
padumachitta

reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Ha-ha, well, I'm very happy to have you too, padu. I liked you and your style of writing immediately, from the very first story I read of yours about that Black Schwinn bicycle. I said to myself, I said, "Now, self...this is a gal you want to watch out for. She's pretty damn good!", heh-heh. :}

reply by padumachitta on 18-Nov-2014

Well, hell's bells, maybe one day we'll meet on the best sellers reading circuit...I just want to grow up and be a working writer, enough to fix up the wreck of a beautiful house we just bought and not enough to ruin me:-)
I'll meet you for coffee one day ...ahlf way...say...Sna Dieago...

reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Hah! That's half-way? Where in the world are you, padu, on the moon, LOL...??

Anyhow, wherever it is, if it happens -- then it's a deal! :}

reply by padumachitta on 18-Nov-2014

For some reason i think you live down under...am i wrong?

reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

The US, in southeastern Ohio. Really close to Kentucky, and nearly on top of the Great Ohio River. Cincinnati, -- or "The 'Natty", as it's called around here -- is 45 miles due east of us.

I think I'm a frustrated Aussie, though or Brit. I've always felt drawn to both England, and Australia, respectfully. One day, time permitting, I hope to get to each!

Comment from butterfly4265

Excellent

At first I found the artwork a little creepy but I realized they add just the right amount of impact to your message in this well written poem. I very much enjoyed the whole piece, but my favorite verse is:

"We all wear masks to hide the truth;
some sneaky, saddened, sullen sleuth --
strip off your mask, come follow me;
through masks the truth is hard to see".

I know I put on my mask every single day to help me get through each work day dealing with difficult do-workers. What a shame we can't just all be ourselves all the time.

This is really very good and thank you so much for sharing.

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thank you very much for reading into it precisely what I intended, butterfuly. You're very perceptive.

Much obliged for the outstanding review! :}

~DeanO

Comment from LIJ Red

Excellent

I don't try hard to mask-just a little cause I hate to bore the hell outa everybody. I am meter-deaf but I see eight syllables per line and rhyme. Excellent.

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, as always, LIJ Red. I'm glad ya liked it! :}

~Deano

Comment from thee-name

Excellent

Excellent poem. Writing rhymed with lines.
IF YOU BELIEVE THIS GIFT YOU'VE GOT
JUST BE DISMISSED AS AFTER THOUGHT

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, thee-name. I appreciate your thoughtful review. :}

~DeanO

reply by thee-name on 18-Nov-2014

THANK YOU!

Comment from livelylinda

Excellent

Dean: unique, original theme and gruesome pictures. I usually think of wearing masks as a Halloweenie thing but, you are right, we wear a mask to cover our feelings and parts of ourselves that we don't want to flaunt. This is six worthy, of course, but the well ran dry. Do you sleep at night?? Linda

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Ha-ha, very rarely, Linda. Perhaps 2-3 hours, on a good night. And those 2-3 hours usually have a nightmare or two in 'em somewhere along the way. Ah well...

I'm glad you enjoyed reading this, but more than that, that you "got it".

Thanks, as always, for another outstanding review, my friend. :}

~DeanO

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Masked marionettes we....yet we demand writers to unmask

Love this poem...I like the masks you wear...

Well done Dean

God bless

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks so much, kiwijenny. I'm happy to know that there's someone out there who does, LOL... :}

~DeanO

Comment from Andrewajgblue

Excellent

I really enjoyed the unusual message for this poem, it's so true everybody is hiding something, good or bad, we are always afraid to show the real us in case people don't like it, a brilliant thought provoking piece, well done,
Andrew

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks, Andrew, and you're absolutely right, of course. Like Robin Williams, we may be jovial and laughing outwardly, but dying inside, just the same...

thanks for your thoughtful review, my friend. it's greatly appreciated. :}

~DeanO

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

solid rhyming couplets
good use of enjambment from line to line and stanza to stanza
good alliteration in sneaky/sad/sullen sleuth
powerful message/good insights in excellent poetic form
Brooke

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Thanks, Brooke, I'm very happy that you enjoyed it. As always, I truly appreciate your indepth assessment.

Thanks again! :}

~DeanO

Comment from trimple

Excellent

Hello there, Dean

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your poem about the faces we use in life.

True, that we perhaps tend to smile for smiles sake, but to be absolutely truthful with our emotions 100% of the time, I'm sure would piss people off. LOL They certainly would with me anyway. I am very cynical, but I am careful not to always let it show.

Your rhyming is wonderful, and your picture, grotesque and almost made me want to puke. But hey ho...

It was perfect... :)

much love

trimple

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Nov-2014

Thanks very much for your thoughtful review, Tracey. I do appreciate it.

Comment from DR DIP

Exceptional

yep, we sure do!!
I love this Deano such great line combos and it flows real well rhythmically

Favourite verse;

The real you shines, if it's allowed;

shake off the pain, dismiss the crowd.

Expression's never commonplace,

lest masks are used to hide your face.

Thanks for sharing

as always, dip

 Comment Written 18-Nov-2014

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reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Wow! A sixer from my poetic idol, THE Dr. Dip, himself! If only I could manage to dig outta my head the sheer number of excellent poems you post in any one week, heck...the sky would be the limit. Seriously, dipster, it makes my day when I see a sixer come in from you, simply because I know how passionate about poetry you truly are.

So, I humbly take a bow, tip my horror hat, and sincerely say, "Thank you!"

Catch you on the flip-side, my friend. :}

~DeanO

reply by DR DIP on 18-Nov-2014

my rhyming is becoming an obsession
is this just a life progression?
let me make this candid confession
I need to have a non rhyming lesson!

Maybe fix my syllabic count
And my technometer is the wrong amount
So let me climb the highest mount
RHYME'S NOT A CRIME IT'S JUST A HORSE I MOUNT

lol
AS BETTE MIDLER SINGS...THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS DID I EVER TELL YOU YOU"RE MY HERO
Did I ever SAY WHY I WRITE SO MUCH
ALL THIS WOULD ADD UP TO ZERO
IF I DIDN'T SEE YOU AS MY WRITING CRUTCH

YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MY RHYME
YOUR HONESTY IS ALWAYS SUBLIME
FOR ALL OF THIS AIN'T WORTH A DIME
IF YOU DIDN"T VISIT AND FIND THE TIME

AS ALWAYS
YOU'RE FANSTORY FRIEND AND HERO..keep the bastards honest!! lol

xdip

reply by the author on 18-Nov-2014

Ha ha, let's both try to keep 'em honest, Dip...whaddaya say? :}

reply by DR DIP on 19-Nov-2014

dean? can you download pictures to fanstory at present?

reply by the author on 19-Nov-2014

Yes, I haven't had any problems so far.