Comment from Colette

Excellent

congratulations friend, I can see why this won the contest.
You are a fine poet, and as always (when I remember to sign in,) review your words.

Colette

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Thanks, Colette

Steve

Comment from Liz Dunbee

Excellent

I wish I had a six left for you. This is a wonderful poem and deserving of first place. The story was great and the redemption a perfect closure. Your rhyming is excellent and the poem flows smoothly to the perfect ending. Congratulations.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Thanks, Liz

I enjoyed you funny Mary-Sue poem as well.

Steve

Comment from poetbear

Excellent

Brilliant write.
Makes sense and reads well.
Very touching and reflective.
The technique and craft are noted for their excellence.
Nice flow and feeling.
Nice work, Steve.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Thanks, pb.

Steve

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

Wow! This is an awesome story and you had me reading to the end. Some parts reminded me of Poe's The Raven. Excellent rhymes for this abab contest. I'm always thrilled to drink up other poets rhymes and learn how to improve my own :) congratulations on placing first. You really did command the win with this entry!

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Thanks, Joy.

I loved your funny toad piece as well. It reminded me of when I lived in North Queensland, Australia, and there were thousands of cane toads around - didn't see anybody kissing the ugly brutes, though.

We actually lived in Gordonvale which is where some not so smart scientists released the toads to control the cane beetles which ate sugar cane - now widely recognized as one of the greatest environmental blunders ever.

Thanks again for the kind words - I've been getting close to a win in one of these site contests for a while....

Steve

Comment from Cedar

Exceptional

This is a great piece of work and it shows in every way. Your rhyming, rhythm and flow are all just perfect, which allows the words to smoothly roll off the readers tongue. And your story holds the readers full attention all the way through. It must have taken a great deal of thought and time to put such an exceptional piece together. Congratulations. This one will surely win "Poem of the Month". Fantastic work. Bill

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Bill, thanks for the very warm words and the six stars - yes, I worked on it for a while.

As a contest entry, I don't believe this qualifies for Poem of the Month, but I am more than happy with the $100 cash prize.

Steve

Comment from Contests

A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2013

Thank you - don't get one of these every day!

Steve

Comment from nelliesellie

Excellent

Is death God or the Devil? I think death is both. I know this man was expecting the Devil. But I think the Devil had him doing his time in hell, while living on this earth. I think The Good Lord thought his time was up and brought him home to heaven. Good work.

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2013

Hey, who knows the answer to that - I only write what one or the other of them prompt me to do. :o)

Thanks for the kind words.

Steve

Comment from fastdigits

Exceptional

A tale in rhyme so well told as
it gathered speed down the
screen laying an artistic and
poetic cadence in the dance
of spiritual deliverance.
Well done

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2013

Thank you so much for the kind words and the six shiny stars.

Steve

Comment from Leineco

Excellent

Your rhyming is impeccable, and you tell a compelling story of a karmic turn that allows a man plagued by guilt (is that why he nows lives with the homeless one wonders) a chance to redeem himself through the sacrifice of his own life.
The setting is dire and gloomy, and the stranger mysteriously unrevealed, though the main character imposes his own trepidations onto him. The storm (effective, but a smidge meteorologically improbable - but, hey, it's poetry, we're allowed:-) sets a frantic/dangerous/eerie ambiance nicely. The sudden appearance of the wolf is a wonderful twist...you had lead us to believe that the shadowed stranger was "the grim reaper", while all along he was the redeemer!
All in all, nicely done :-) I envy you the ability to tell a story in this rhyme scheme, I never have been able to successfully compose a story in abab rhyme, mine always end up lame - LOL

Good Write! :-) Good Luck in the contest!

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2013

Hey, what do I know about snow and such - I live in the winterless north (of new Zealand) - I am guessing that snowfall could precede an electrical storm....

I suspect you are being unduly modest about your ability to write in this form - you seem to be able to turn your pen to many things and I have already reviewed your fine entry for this contest...

Good luck to both of us, but I am hoping to pip you this time.

Steve

Comment from Simple Reflection

Exceptional

This is an amazing poem! You did an awesome job of keeping the words flowing smoothly. It has an intense storyline. You've used great expression and even gave us a bit of a twist at the end that is just as compelling as the beginning.

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2013

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2013

Thanks for the warm words and the six stars - glad you enjoyed.

Steve