Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Well dear Dean you've outdone yourself with this poem and that be no mean feat because you've pulled off some beauties. First I want to comment on the layout and art selection. The dandelion reducing its seeds with each successive stanza grouping is brilliant art in action. I like the moving graphics.

You've used some terrific poetic devices most noticeably alliteration such as:

Six seeds sailed silently

There are of course many other examples, but you the writer know where they are. It's enough for me to say, hey, that's some pretty damn good poeting there, mate.

I also like how you've changed the rhyme on the ending line to match up with the end line in the first stanza - again/again. It's nice to get a little help from our friends. So nice that I am Cat helped you out with that.

Really super, super job with this and Brooke and her family are going to love it.

Gloria

 Comment Written 03-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2015

Thank you, Gloria, and I hope you're right about Brooke and her family loving this poetic dedication to her. Believe me, it takes s-o-o-o-o-o much outta me to write/play "nice", lol. However, after all that Brooke has done for me since my arrival here in March of 2013, I felt it was the very least I could do to try not to scare the pants off of her when she read my poem written in her honor.

In all seriousness, it is from my heart, and I know how much Brooke loves her dandelions and count down poems. Thanks again for your wonderful review. I do appreciate it, Gloria. ~Dean

Comment from gallivandog

Excellent

I've been searching most of the night to find something to comment on which really made an impact on my senses........ I have to say that this fabulous tribute (If that's the right word), has really made an impression on me, not just for the great form, visual and brilliantly written verses, but for the obvious loyalty and genuine care that is apparent in this work.
I had quite a bit of advice from Brooke about four years ago when I started to write, but alas I left this community and have been AWOL for quite some time. I returned a few days ago to try and pick up from where I left off and it has become quite apparent that I have fallen well behind in terms of personal progress, however, I'm so impressed with some of the talent that has remained and your piece has been one of the stand out pieces that I have read so far..... Congratulations on a superb write. Well done you.
Regards
Dave
S.Wales

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2015

Than you very much for your kind words and complimentary review, gallivandog. My presentations here are often met one of two ways. There are the poetic "purists" who insist that animation has no place in poetry, even though we are technologically advanced enough in this day and age to incorporate it. On the other hand, you have readers, much like yourself, who feel the presentation as a whole completes the package. I ascribe to the oft used phrase, "A picture's worth a thousand words." However, I always insist that the words must come first. I write the "words", then seek out pictures and animation to enhance them, not the other way around as some suggest.
The words are the "meat" of any poem, or prose. The animated gifs and photos, that is just the gravy.

Thanks so much again for taking the time to review and comment on my work. I'm very happy you enjoyed this, and welcome back from your long hiatus. ~Dean

reply by gallivandog on 03-Jun-2015

Mmmmmm. I would'nt want to get into that argument really, other than to say that there is no room in Creativity of any kind for elitism, trends change daily and quite rightly so, it's up to us to CREATE those changing trends.

reply by the author on 03-Jun-2015

I wholeheartedly agree. :)

Comment from strandregs

Excellent

Dean you old Lemon curde
I gobbled every word
I didn't know I didn't know
my wellyies fill with tears
we love our polar star I know
we trail her bright warm glow.
cheers Z.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Yeah, really just a big softie, strandregs. But don't tell anyone else, just keep that our little secret.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review my meager tribute to Brooke. I hope it in some small way makes her feel much better.
~Dean

reply by strandregs on 03-Jun-2015

All she needs is an oil change... :-))
to
coconut oil
extra virgin olive oil
flaxseed oil
and she'll run smooth again.
been reading too much
functional medicine.
cheers.Z.

Comment from ravenblack

Exceptional

What can I possibly say other than presentation and all, this is a truly beautiful poem. Brooke loves counting poems and you sure have delivered. If anyone doubts the heart of those who write horror or the dark, I would suggest they read this. You are definitely a man of many hats. Brooke will love this.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thanks, Ed, that's a very nice thing for you to say, my friend. While I am obviously more drawn to write things of a much darker nature, I felt I owed it to Brooke to try not to scare the pants off of her in a dedicated poem. I know how much she adores dandelions, and her countdown poems always manage to make me smile. So, I simply combined the two things together, and this is way I managed to come up with.
I hope Brooke enjoys it, and I'm very happy that you did too.
Thanks again...~Dean :}

Comment from TAB_that's me

Exceptional

I don't think you could write a better tribute to Brooke than doing it her own counting style that we all know and love so well. So well done Dean!

Teresa

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thanks for reading it, "t", and for your kind comments and six stars as well. I did my best to write something light, airy and cheerful for Brooke, emulating her trademark style as best I could. Needless to say, it's not my forte. While I came nowhere close to what she would have come up with, I hope it helps to cheer her up when she has a chance to read it.
Thanks again, Teresa. :)
~Dean

Comment from Glasstruth

Excellent

Very spontaneous. Flows beautifully, like seeds in the wind. Entertaining and kept me wondering how all the seeds will end up. The end is awesome. Great write! Les

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thnx, Les. Mucho gracious. ~Dean

Comment from emkoutny

Excellent

Thank you for explaining who Brooke is-I am a relatively new member and I noticed one poem writing poems for her and thought she was just a friend or relative of hers. Now I see many people are writing them. What a beautiful gesture. Also, your poem is top drawer. Great rhyme, imagery and pictures.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thanks for reading my humbly presented presentation for Brooke, emkoutny. Brooke has been around since FanStroy's inception in 2001, I think. I arrived in March 0f 2013, and I know she was the #1 rated poet then, and has been since I got here. Rightly so, I might add. Many consider her to be this website's own Poet Laureate. She also teaches many poetry course in the classes offered here. Check out her portfolio-- adewpearl -- sometime. You won't be disappointed...

~Dean

Comment from CR Delport

Excellent

Dean, this is a fitting tribute to a wonderful person. You captured two things that is dear to her in this poem. Countdown poems and dandelions. We all miss Brooke. Well done.
Take care.
Christelle.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thanks, Christelle. I sincerely hope that Brooke likes it, and I'm very happy to know that you did.
All my best. :)
~Dean

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

The really nice addition to the voluminous list of support poems that have been sent to Brooke via this site. This one is especially nice.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thanks, Bill, I'm really happy to know you think so. I hope Brooke will too.
Much appreciated! ~Dean :)

Comment from Green Lake Girl

Excellent

This is one of my favorite poems for Brooke. How could she NOT get better with all this wonderful energy from FanStory?

The combination of graphics and poetry is very pleasing. A visual treat as well as a well-crafted poem. Super job, Dean.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2015

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015

Thank you, Green Lake Girl. I sincerely appreciate you comments, and I pray that Brooke is able to return to us soon.
~Dean