The Duel (poem) by Jon Michael Willey on AuthorsDen

Reviewed by Mary Patterson

Reviewed on May 26, 2010

A sad circumstance of gone by days. Your poem brings clairity to its uselessness in an ept way....M

Reviewed by La Belle Rouge Poetess Of The Heart

Reviewed on May 20, 2010

A profound pen Jon, one men of war never will heed.

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Reviewed on May 1, 2010

Thanks for your support....another one of the finest!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Kate Burnside

Reviewed on April 26, 2010

You have written this in such a way as to make me very aware of the heavy-hearts that must have accompanied such contests - rather than the glitzy "gung-ho" attitude so glamourised in myth, film and fiction. I can feel the awkwardness of the ill-fitting armour (akin to ill-fitting and ill-conceived causes, perhaps) and the deadly weight of weapons. Doubtless, many of today's combatants feel much the same way and also wonder, at the end of the day, who the victors and what the spoils... Excellent write, thank you. Kate xx

Reviewed by David Hightower

Reviewed on April 26, 2010

Jon - Wise sentiments.
The last three lines say it all:

actions freeze frame time for the defeated

the vanquished never tasted victory�s sweet essence

pallid lips will be seized by time and circumstance

- David

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

A soul-stirring write that "speaks" volumes, Jon. Sadly, things are not so different today when one considers the wide scope of conflict/s. Thank you, Jon. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Reviewed by Christine Alwin

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

Vivid display of a battle that you wonder if there are any winners,,in the end, I think not...great write Jon
Blessings,
Christine

Reviewed by Carole Mathys

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

I often wondered what the women of that era thought about "the duel" as a way of solving anything...often leaving them alone when it was done...
Peace and love, Carole~

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

Chivalry was a big lie foisted on the poor by the elite. In hand to hand combat, rules kept the fight from becoming dumb luck, but not much. A goode fare one.

Ron

Reviewed by Georg Mateos

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

I will go with the 1700s Sicilians, feud is a waste of time, vendetta otherwise is good for the heart as it make the blood to go rushing in delight!

Georg

Reviewed by Liana Margiva

Reviewed on April 25, 2010

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Reviewed by Sheila Roy

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

Your third verse really made me wonder how many awful things have been done by one pressured by a situation, his own manhood, or a rite of passage. For me, this poem was about growth, because the Wiser man escaped. Creatively penned, Jon!
Sheila

Reviewed by John Flanagan

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

I see this somewhat differently, Jon; I think you're speaking about now and the future - third line: "not a jocular meeting of friends will it be" - the opposing wills and clashes of values and belief systems...maybe I'm wrong but that's the distinct impression I get and "wiser men would flee with the wind and moon"...indeed!

John

Reviewed by Felix Perry

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

This brings the reader back to an entirely different era where men fought for principals and principals meant something...
fee

Reviewed by Victoria's Poetry & Voices of Muse

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

what an amazing feeling of being conquered
and dominated, I don't know that a maiden is involved
but it sure felt like it to me reading this
and feeling the historic era of medievil renaissance reins,
monarchs & empires and jousting arenas...your words took me there for sure
a wonderful offering Jon..my fav these darkles beast of
man and woman reveling upon agressive fields
Medievil Castles, Palaces & Tiltyards "saber of time"
...I am glad to see you at court your Eminence Jon!
Victoria of Ireland says as she bows head & body in royal obeisance...

Reviewed by JASMIN HORST SEILER

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

Abdi- Noor, got this one right for sure, to many lives wasted for the false sense of honour, mostly ego, the same old human frailty, millions have, and will lose their lives again, over this sorted, and false sense of what's important. You versed it most succinctly Jon, Blessings! Jasmin Horst

Reviewed by D Johnson

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

Jon, another one of your captivating stories, well told.

Cheers,
Dan

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

...ONLY THE BRAVE WILL KNOW COMMITMENTS SLAVE...'WISER' MEN WILL FLEE WITH THE WIND AND MOON...THE VANQUISHED NEVER TASTED VICTORY'S SWEET SUCCESS. I DON'T KNOW HOW 'SWEET' THAT KIND OF SUCCESS IS BECAUSE, YOU ARE RIGHT...ONE BECOMES A SLAVE...COMMITED TO DEFENDING HIS HONOR...'TIL DEATH...THUS, EVENTUALLY, JOINING HIS 'CONQUEST' IN THE GRAVE. SO...GIVE ME THE 'WISE GUY'...I'LL TAKE HIM ANY TIME. VERY, VERY WELL DONE AND ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING AND GOD BLESS. LOVE, JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Abdi-Noor Mohamed (Eagle Of Hope)

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

The brave must fight at any cost but for a reason worth dying for. Great poem my friend, Jon

Reviewed by George Carroll

Reviewed on April 24, 2010

It was duel or lose honor. Today you rarely get a slap in the face with a glove and fight an unseen combatant for a nation that will forget you quickly.