Comment from bard owl

Excellent

Wow! This is a dark one - a tragedy. I keep wondering what the soul did to deserve neverending Hell. I think God forgives us our shortcomings as He is our Creator. The rhythm and rhyme in this contest entry is right on target and the imagery disturbing, as it was meant to be. Best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks so much, bard owl, I truly appreciate your fantastic assessment of this poem. It isn't doing too well in the contest, but there is still time. And when there's time, there is hope, unlike what poor Robin felt he was facing.

Thanks so much again!

Comment from JM

Excellent

A sad yet strong message about the demons that drive some people to the edge of "purgatory". I think your dedication to Robin Williams is the voice of many suffering like him.

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thank you, JM, and while I was going to write about Robin Williams specifically, I felt it would be better to honor his memory by covering all people who have to face these sorts of "ghosts" which haunt them every day.

I sincerely appreciate your encouraging review. I'm getting my butt spanked in this contest!

Comment from deepwater

Excellent

good job on this poem
Yes, I was bold and stupid brave,

peer pressure pushed me to the grave;

I knew that I could never win --

now I'll be buried with my sin...

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thank you very much for your kind comments and encouraging review, Gary. Much appreciated.

Comment from DR DIP

Excellent

beautifully written and a worthy tribute to a man who brought so much joy to us through his craft via wit and comedy. HIs moview were varied and hartfelt and he had a timing second to none. its sad that we are only going to remember his dark side now for that was sadly his last 15mins of fame
SUICIDE, NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT IS A SELFISH ACT
but On saying that I know exactly what could be his driving force as I have been down that path myself and fortunately had the friends and loved ones who could see past my façade and got me to the other side.

well written on such a sad occasion

dip

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks, dipster, and I would agree, suicide, no matter the reasons, is a selfish and cowardly act. What saddens me is that someone who has that much talent could feel that he had nothing left to offer.

I truly appreciate the encouraging review. I'm getting my bottom spanked in the voting right now! UGH! :}

Comment from NicciFaye

Exceptional

Wow! Dean...am speechless...though this is short it is powerful. I think what actually made me say "WOW" was the last line. It is a sad state of affairs. Robin Williams life as well as many others like him whom have been the "eye of the world" making others laugh, pleasing the crowd, while they die inside. One of the many reasons fame is something that is NOT a goal.

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks so much for the exceptional rating of six stars, as well as sharing your thoughts with me on this one, Nicci. I agree, I believe he was so good at being funny because he was so sad, if that makes any sense. Perhaps hearing the laughter of others, a laughter he knew he was responsible for, helped ease his sadness somewhat. I thought it would be doing much better in the voting right now than it has been. But, you never know how these things are going to turn out.

Thanks so much again!

Comment from nomi338

Excellent

We live with both the shame and the fear of those things that hold us captives as slaves. We hate them yet we often lack the strength to be forever rid of them. So many of us have bravely walked away thinking that we have shed that layer of skin once and forever more, only to look into the mirror of our very being and see the disturbing sign of new growth, "Oh no it is coming back. I may as well die if that is the only way to be rid of this pain forever."

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Yes, and that is probably something along the lines of the way that Robin Williams was thinking, Nomi. What I find so terribly sad is that even though he possessed all of that immense talent to make people laugh, Robin himself was dying inside. How anyone that talented could get so low to where he felt he had nothing left to offer the world, or his family, is beyond my comprehension.

I truly appreciate your sincere and kind review.

Comment from G.B. Smith

Excellent

Dear Poet
Not many of us has endured the pain of loss of someone we love to drugs or mental health issues. Being bipolar, I understand Robins delima. Your poem is superb. Best wishes in the contest
Bear

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks so much, Bear, I sincerely appreciate that. Based on the poem's current standing in the voting right now, I will take all of the luck that I can get, my friend!

Thanks again.~

Comment from rrabinow

Excellent

Wonderful poem you wrote for this prompt. I like that you wrote a dedication to Robin Williams. Such a shame that he had to go through what he was going through. Great rhyme scheme that you use. Best of luck.

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks very much, rrabinow. I really appreciate your genuine and heartfelt review.

Comment from BLACKDYKE

Excellent

Bloody Hell, how bloody is this
and will it be any competition
in the writing prompt? I guess
it will. Though how any poet could
feel this way goodness knows.
Another writing prompt winner.
Eric

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks, BLACKDYKE, but unfortunately it is losing in the contest. Still, your review is very encouraging, and your kind words are greatly appreciated. I'm flattered that you feel it is a winner, even if the polls do not reflect it.

Thanks you!

reply by BLACKDYKE on 15-Aug-2014

Shame. My pleasure

Comment from Delahay

Excellent

This is a very insightful and thought provoking look at the harm caused by addiction to drugs. Your writing puts the reader into the mind of the addict in a deep and meaningful way.

 Comment Written 14-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014

Thanks so much, Ward, I really appreciate your encouraging words, my dear friend. it is getting trounced in the voting booths, so your words help alleviate the feelings that perhaps I didn't do something quite right.

Thanks so much again, I am really glad that you enjoyed it, at least! (LOL)...

reply by Delahay on 14-Aug-2014

I'm surprised it is not doing well. It is stark but meaningful. Maybe people don't like that.
b.t.w. When I voted on this one I saw some complimentary comments.