Comment from Sasha

Excellent

This is a terrific entry for this fun contest. You covered just about every human condition and with such poetic flare. I enjoyed this immensely and wish you all the best in the contest.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2015

Thanks, Sasha - glad you enjoyed.

Steve

Comment from OnyxSapphire78

Excellent

This is an excellent write for the Halloween poetry contest. It is creepy and engaging with great rhymes. You painted a picture my friend. I think you included everyone. Great imagery and very creative approach. I enjoyed this very much. Good luck and Happy writing!

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2015

Thank you - glad you enjoyed.

Steve

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

Although this is spooky, it also offers hope. But, the spooky part reside in the question of who knows what lies beyond that gossamer gate?

The meter and rhyme lend themselves to the topic, helping build the suspense and tension. And then you leave the reader hanging by a thread, wondering about the fate of all this lost souls in the great unknown. Best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2015

Thank you.

I guess I was thinking that most portrayals of Halloween have scary ghosts and monsters. I wanted to balance that a little. I understand one tradition is to set an extra place at the table so a departed loved one can return for a meal...

Steve

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Exceptional

Outstanding, Steve! This one's tough to beat!

The format makes for an easy read. Many great lines in this poem. Stand-outs for this reader ... "the sinners, the shriven, the unforgiven", "dressed-all-in-scarlet", "easily-led", "hobble-on-crutches". I could go on and on.

Love how the final stanza begins with "they sigh, the dead". Good effect to have the concluding stanza begin differently than the previous stanzas that start with "they come, the dead". Also the last stanza ends with "through the gossamer gate", whereas the previous stanzas end with "at the gossamer gate". This technique lends itself to a very logical conclusion.

Chock-full of vivid imagery for your reader, you have basically included every imaginable type of person waiting at the gossamer gate. Very creative!

Best wishes in the contest, Steve!

bichonfrisegirl aka Connie

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2015

Connie, thanks so much for the wonderful, thoughtful review and the six stars. Much appreciated.

Steve

Comment from Louise Michelle

Excellent

Hi Steve,

I never heard of a Goassamer Gate and I'm guessing you made it up. I guess it's sort of where lost souls are first led.

This is really a good write. It had a sort of urgency to its pace (at least that's the way I read it).

The alliteration and rhymes added to the enjoyment.

Hugs,
Lou

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thanks, Lou.

yes, I did make it up, but not as you interpreted it not like departed souls waiting at the Pearly Gates, but souls getting excited about their Halloween chance to return to the world of the living, if only for one day...

Glad you enjoyed, even if I tangled you up in the meaning!

Steve

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

The Gossamer Gate...Heaven's own Pearly Gates, I assume? If so, you're absolutely right, we all have to appear before the aforementioned Gossamer Gate. Whether we're allowed in or not, well... that all depends.

Very uniquely crafted piece of poetic expressionism you've created here, Steve. It's an alliteration lover's dream, and great examples abound throughout. You've certainly covered the gamut of human nature here, from the heavenly to the horrific, the stately to the scum.

Nice work, very well executed.

Best wishes in the contest judging.

Always with respect...
~Dean.

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thanks for the fine review, Dean.

Your comment alerted me to how some had taken this to be something like departed souls waiting at the Pearly Gates, when actually what I intended was souls getting excited about their Halloween chance to return to the world of the living, if only for one day... More in your territory perhaps, although not quite as scary. I guess my point was that ALL the dead could return, not just the evil ones.

Steve

reply by Dean Kuch on 06-Nov-2015

You're quite welcome, Steve. Congratulations on placing in the Halloween Poem contest!

~Dean :}

Comment from gamay

Excellent

Hi Steve.
This is very nicely written poem.
Its great work.
And its fit in the contest.
Good luck and best wishes.
Happy Halloween.
gamay

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thank you!

Steve

Comment from Nosha17

Excellent

I guess Halloween must be the time for redemption for all these creepy souls-excellent descriptions and well chosen words and rhyming to convey your thoughts. You have captured the essence of Halloween well, good luck in the contest. faye

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thanks, Faye!

Steve

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

You certainly have quite a crowd lining up at the gossamer gate(nice repeat line; good alliteration).
Your skill with vocabulary made this so enjoyable.
Good luck in the contest.
:) ellen

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thanks, Ellen.

That's a lot of spooks hanging around on Halloween!

Steve

Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Exceptional

I believe there are others that feel as I feel.
This is an excellent piece.
Love the flow and the rhyming scheme as it makes the piece a joy to read.
Very well done

 Comment Written 01-Nov-2015

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reply by the author on 06-Nov-2015

Thanks, Barb - glad you enjoyed.

Steve