Comment from Lisasview

Excellent

I am so glad to see that you won for this wonderful poem...
I now see that you have poetry books on Amazon... Good for you!!!
Recovering from a new knee only recently had the surgery, I have been able to spend time reading, reviewing and even posting...not a lot of posting...
I enjoy several forms of poetry... Sonnets, Free Verse, Cameo, etc...
Lisasview

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 07-Feb-2024

Thanks, Lisa.
Yes my two books sit languishing on Amazo, which is partly why I have looked for other ways to get the word out and have just started my own poetry channel on YouTube
So your new knee is like a silver lining giving you, or maybe forcing you to be still and find time for things you enjoy! My own poetry writing has been slowing down for some time. Only done one poem this year - too busy on other stuff and just not in the right frame of mind.

I'm always startled when someone digs up one of my poems from months ago. How did you find it? If you liked this one, maybe you'd like The Gossamer Gate even better. It's a Halloween poem focused on the multitude of dead spirits ready to charge through to the world of the living on the eve of the big day.

Do you know how to search someone's portfolio for a particular poem?

Steve

reply by Lisasview on 07-Feb-2024

Good morning Steve,
The way I found your poem was quite easy...
I just went into your portfolio and all your poems came up..one after the other...
Are you finding it difficult to do that?
I am going to Fan you because perhaps that is the first step...
Or when you review there is an area on the side of the poem that says things like Fan and portfolio, etc. Takes some doing to figure it all out but once you do it is easy.
Lisasview

Comment from Cecilia Lynne1

Excellent

Well written I relate to the opening lines and closing that indicate with all certainty that
" the dead stay dead." but in ending "live on forever". It goes on to describe the impact on the boys, who as persons experience a relationship with the dead and how scary that exposure is for them. All of the reality or fiction associated with the dead, still leads to the facts that "the dead you know are dead but still live on forever." I would agree and suggest "forever in the memories of the living.'

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Jul-2023

Thanks, Cecilia.
We old folks tend to dwell on the approaching end a bit too much, perhaps. The vest that we can hope for is that we have left enough of an impression on the world that we will bve remembered for a while after we have shuffled off this mortal coil. Maybe writers and other creatives have something of an advantage in that respect.

Steve

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Exceptional

Congratulations on your win. I am sorry I missed this. It is absolutely brilliant. You repeat that the dead are just dead. No roaming the cemetery to haunting houses or any medium calling to them for a conversation. But in the end, they do live on as loving memories of those who loved them.
You certainly deserved this win.
Best wishes.
Mary

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023

Mary, many thanks for the kind words and the extra star - much appreciated. Something of a surprise win against tough competition, but I'll take it!

Steve

Comment from Ginda Simpson

Exceptional

I missed seeing this earlier, but you have definitely penned a winning free verse poem with this one. Congratulations on your well-deserved win. Your writing inspires us.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023

Ginda, many thanks for the kind words and the extra star - much appreciated. Something of a surprise win against tough competition, but I'll take it!

Steve

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Hi Steve,
I do believe some people may believe in ghosts but I don't believe anyone believes in zombies or vampires.
Yes the dead live on in our memories. But do they also live on in Heaven so we can see them again when we die?
Keep writing and stay healthy,
Congrats on winning the contest.
Enjoy your day.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 25-Jul-2023

Thanks, Joan.
I've written a few ghost stories, but I don't believe in them either!
Steve

reply by dragonpoet on 25-Jul-2023

You're welcome, Steve. I think this is a case of 'seeing is believing. I think the closet thing is when you can feel the presence of a dead family member at a weeding or funeral.
Joan

Comment from Contests

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

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023

Thank you.

Steve

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Steve,
An outstanding free verse poem on the dead, who most certainly stay dead.
Your descriptions and imagery are marvelous and fun. I once entered (with some friends) an old abandoned house, haunted they said. Heart was pounding, but we climbed a nearby tree and went in through an upstairs window. "Puffed-up bravery" didn't last long though.
The dead do live on in memory, or in creations - marble statues, musical compositions, poems.... What will last longer, marble, music or words?
One great irony about death, we're likely to never know 'the answer' until we die.
Good luck in the contest.
Best wishes.
Robert

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023

Many thanks, Robert. Just been notified that this won the contest - a little unexpected as I wasn't 100% happy with the second half. In fact I wrote the ending in a big rush to meet the deadline - quite common for me! I could have made use of you with the ideas you mention in your review and I'm quite sure I could have phrased it better.

Steve

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Yes, I agree with you Steve, the deadlive on inside our hearts and minds. Dramatically descriptive opening verses a out what the dead don't do. Great free verse write, good luck inthe contest. Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 24-Jul-2023

Thanks, Valda.
Yay! Just picked up a win with this one.

Steve

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

That twist at the end gave me chills for some reason. The entire poem you speak of the dead remaining dead, and then we realize they do live on, not in ghost stories, but in our cherished memories. This is clever and well written.
I hope you do well in the contest.

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023

Thank you. I guess every poet is trying to elicit a response from the reader and 'chills' is as good as any!

Steve

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I like that last paragraph, in recent times I wrote a poem on legacy, the things we leave behind, the truth probably is we will be forgotten, many winds will erase our footprint, but we will sow something into others, probably some obscure philosophy, but nevertheless we never leave without making a deposit, beautifully written Steve, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Jul-2023

Thanks, Roy.
I guess the idea of leaving something of ourselves as legacy is not new. I am reminded of Shakespeare's famous 'Shall I compare thee' sonnet which ends with 'so long lives this (the poem) and this gives life to thee.' Looks like poets have a special responsibility for perpetuating memories in their work!

so yes, we leave a deposit and some leave a greater deposit than others, and often the deposit is what is felt and learnt by those around us.

Steve

reply by royowen on 20-Jul-2023

Yep, I guess that?s true, it?s my kids and grands that I want to leave myself to.