Ashes On My Skin (poem) by Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie on AuthorsDen

Reviewed by Anna Marie Fritz (Reader)

Reviewed on September 13, 2004

One of the most potent "fire poems" I have ever read!
Supreme in its imagery.

Reviewed by Fr. Kurt Messick

Reviewed on September 4, 2004

dramatic!

Reviewed by Reginald Birch (Reader)

Reviewed on August 13, 2004

What a spectacular image you portray, with words and picture, giving a feeling of being there. Fascinating.
Reg.

Reviewed by *********** ********** (Reader)

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

Great poetry and picture........Awesome work.......ty, Dani

Reviewed by Cynth'ya Reed

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

Ashes come from life, as well as regenerating life.
The poem shows this clearly. Very nice Reindeer,
blessin's

cynth'ye lewis reed

Reviewed by Amira van Kerk (Reader)

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

Outstandingly written.
Right to the heart.
Excellent.

Reviewed by A Serviceable Villain

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

Retta -

An incredible poetic masterpiece - stunning!

Robert

Reviewed by Mitzi Jackson

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

the picture is awesome
and the poem holds it weight
nothin I want to encounter
excellent piece!!

Reviewed by Ch'erie de Perrot

Reviewed on August 11, 2004

This is fantastic Reindeer, and moving and scary all in one. Fire is a real threat, not only to humans, but to all manner of wildlife and ecology. Each time we have a big fire, some part of nature is destroyed forever. This year, here in our State in OZ, where the ozone layer is all but gone, the mercury is predicted to rise to 45c, that's well over the 110f. Last year some plants in my garden got burned, my roses got scorched from ash, from the fires, quite some miles away!!!
I ASK YOU.

Hugs
~Contesse~

Reviewed by Regina Pounds

Reviewed on August 10, 2004

wildfires devour such vast forests every summer..it's devastating...you express the horror well...sad and touching poem, dear Reindeer

Gina

Reviewed by Leland Waldrip

Reviewed on August 10, 2004

A "deer in the headlights" inordinately magnified. A very powerful soul-wrenching write, Rhetta. Excellent capture.
Best regards,
Leland

Reviewed by John Banasiewicz Jr

Reviewed on August 10, 2004

Fire and confusion it bring as well as lost of nature but what beauty does return to the ground it burnt as it heals itself. Like our himan life here when we crash and burn but sometimes more beauty to ourselves when we heal.
Tommy
scary pic to be standing in the wild fire also

Reviewed by Theresa Koch

Reviewed on August 9, 2004

I love this photograph but hate the horrible fire that was going on when the photographer took this.

Your writing went exceptionally with it!

Reviewed by Joseph* OneLight*® (Reader)

Reviewed on August 9, 2004

Such a sad story so beautifully told.

~Joseph

Reviewed by Dale Clark

Reviewed on August 9, 2004

This is profound and powerful.
Excellent!

Reviewed by Marilyn Seray

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

metaphorally beautiful...truly

Reviewed by D May (Reader)

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

This is a very powerful piece. Your words and this picture, plaster this reality to the page. Simply powerful!

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

(((retta)))

gosh, i hope this is fictional...but sense it is not...you've powerfully dragged the reader into the inferno and make them feel and smell the fear. well done--brilliant write--a keeper *thank you*

one of your best

(((HUGS))) and love, karla.

stay safe, dear (((friend)))

Reviewed by Rose L

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Retta,

This poem really captures with precision that feeling of loss and confusion that happens....and while it is aimed at a specific event here, it holds universal appeal to many situations in life.

Well done!

~Rose~

Reviewed by Tami Ryan

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

A touching, poignant, powerful piece, Reindeer. I have goosebumps. Excellent work.

Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Forgive me, Retta... I'm so entirely stunned by this piece, its layers, its rare and welcome invitation to be totally absorbed, that I need to respond with expressions that seem overused... but I am unflinchingly sincere when I tell you that this moved me, touched me deeply.. it is profound in a way that continues to pop inside the head and the gut! I'm simply collapsed by how this evolves as it moves to conclusion... an amazing piece, indeed! It reads like a wake-up call that gently demands that we find this inside and relate. I'm listening! katy xox.

Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Stunned at this poem.

I found it hard to breath, once when caught in a forest fire, and had to go find my dog.

Great poem..

Reviewed by Kate Burnside

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

This evocative write drains the blood from my face and lips as I read it - so I, too, am "ashen"! Powerful and numbing write, Retta - you paint these scenes of horror and pain so well - but never in a morbid or blood-curdling way; just with much sensitivity and appeal to the emotions. I can capture your sense of anaesthesia, like in a dream when you are rooted to the spot and unable to run... The ash falling on your skin is such a profound image - like the cremation of your very life. Your work always speak of such powers of observation - physical, emotional and spiritual. Thank you for this deeply-moving piece. Kate xx

Reviewed by ~Indigo~ Elga

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Dear Rhetta,

Incredibly heartwrenching write. It makes me terribly sad, to try and understand what a loss fire can create. It simply boggles the mind.

Fantastic poetry Rhetta.

Warm hugs
Elga

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Extremely powerful, and extremely good, Reindeer. And no matter how many times I gaze at that graphic, I always find it - awesome.

Reviewed by F William Broome

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

In your creativity, we know now, what it is to be in the middle of a huge forest fire. Mesmerizing! This one is a rare reading. - Bill

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Stuning metaphors. Eves if TRASH did have un-nice things to say, you were superb in this write.

Reviewed by Peter Paton

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Agree with Robert ....Retta
Magnificent Metaphor and Imagery
Peter

Reviewed by Mary Quire

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Very vivid imagery, Retta. You have created words that express the feelings of true desolation.

M.Rose

Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger (Reader)

Reviewed on August 8, 2004

Retta, you have such a unique ability to pull your readers right into the abyss! Absolutely incredible imagery and stunning artwork, Poet! Fantastic creation. Thank you for sharing your timeless creations.

Reviewed by Bonnie Torrente

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

Hello RD,
It's so nice to read you again. This is so beautifully sad.
Well written. I could feel the sadness in this piece.

Love, Bonnie

Reviewed by Nordette Adams

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

What a tale! As Robert said, ditto. And it can be related to so much more than the literal tale.
That's a fantastic picture you have there to complement.

Reviewed by jude forese

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

superb metaphor and imagery!

Reviewed by C. McGovern-Bowen

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

Powerfully moving verse. Wonderfully crafted imagery.

Reviewed by J. Allen Wilson

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

super write Retta...I can feel the loss in this piece...the destruction of precious life...yet for those that remain...those that survive...they have been tried by the fire and hence are stronger for it.
Allen

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

wow! Powerful outstanding work Reindeer, the whole damn world is
going up in flame and all that's left is the ash!
Chilling thoughts and images amidst the heat!

Reviewed by - - - - - TRASK

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

Excellent-

You better Believe It There Will Be No Place To Run But To Satan Devil As He Comes N Gets You,i.e. Ashes In Your Face!

TRASK

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

Extremely creative and well done. Applause!

Reviewed by William Bonilla

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

An outstanding piece ....Riendeer

william

Reviewed by Sanil nath (Reader)

Reviewed on August 7, 2004

This is an excellent work ...
Nice lines ..