The Crystal Case

Actually, your dream is spot on for the tale of "Dracula". Vlad the Impaler went off to battle, and supposedly his wife committed suicide, as she was given false information that he was dead. When he returned, and found her dead, he became enraged and denounced his faith - and dedicated himself to revenging her. Sounds spookily eerie now, doesn't it? Hope you're feeling better, my friend. We missed ya on Wednesday. :~) ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"It is better to be thought of a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt..." - Mark Twain

Wow, I wish I had dreams like this. Way to go! This was an awesome write Rett. Only one line seemed forced, and this could be just me, so please take or leave this suggestion~ Line 20 "her body did apprehend" "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Will Rogers

A fascinating piece Rett A departure from the usual stuff. Leonard

Powerful act of imagination my friend, but you got me scurrying around looking for universal archetypes and/or political allusions... oh, there they are, Rett wrote it. Janice nailed that. Listen to her. cheers, Jess

A well told tale. What did you eat the night before? Bram Stoker dreamed of his story "Dracula," also.

I hear a Celtic Flute Chant and my great grandmother's steady voice when I read this...I do so love this style and I must say you nailed it! Thank you for the journey back to my childhood and for helping me to remember where my passion for words came from! <3 Emarie "For every shadow, no matter it's depth, is threatened by the morning's light..."

This is good and I like it. Well done and Best wishes. T.

I'm with Jess K. on this one, as I read it Vlad came to mind, But to tell you the truth. I really enjoyed your version. I think there should be a part two, the revenge on the cad. it's a great poem to tell by a camp fire, like an urban legend I loved it!! thamks, Eddie

Fine write.. I too would like a dream like this. But the poem has nice rhythm and rhyme. thanks for sharing. Patty

You found out! (or was found *it*?) ;-) ~A

Nice job on Spotlight, friend! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"They gave you life, and in return you gave 'em hell. As cold as ice, I hope we live to tell the tale..." - Tears For Fears

Hope you are feeling better soon..... Patty

I enjoyed it very much. I really like this sort of fantasy. It is interesting that much of this kind of fantasy comes from the land of the magic mushroom (British Islands, esp. Ireland). Been doing any mushrooms? Oh, I read you had a Sonic Burger. That explains that! Anyway, so much for rambling. Other than some polishing on the rhythm and rhyme (and I mean polishing, it is basically great) you have a wonderful piece. Thanks, John

and reading more of Rett's masterpieces. To be honest, my friend, this is not the kind of story or fantasy piece I would ever bother to read, but it was written by you. So I read, and I read again. This is superb in both craftsmanship and structure. The subject....nah. The quality.....BRAVO! You are a talented writer my friend. Haven't conversed in a while, and I see lots of comments regarding your health. Hope all is well and do drop me a line. Your pal, Tom

this is a fine, fine write. And thank you for it. Kudos. At later glance(s) I note possible improvements might be in order in (1) some spelling details and (2) perhaps a few tweaking improvements in meter/pace. As follows: (1) a warrior's song versus a warriors song Whose worldly ways versus Who's worldly ways a devil's versus a devils (2) A promised love versus The promise of love (This is the one I'm most unsure about; i.e., that "A promised love" (my offhand suggestion) perhaps alters intended meaning too much. "The promise of love" left unchanged, however, tilts the meter (ergo, two unaccented syllables in a row), makes it feel awkward, lends a too sharp inconsistency with the high-powered meter otherwise extant pretty much throughout the piece.) With devil's brew versus With a devils brew (note I've omitted the article before "devil's.") vanished into mist versus vanished into the mist In crystal case (wraps around better following the prior line) versus In a crystal case Ruled with heavy fist versus Ruled with a heavy fist Thanx much, Chuck PS: You are, as I'm sure you know, a very smart man. Something I find refreshing wherever/whenever it exists, whether in a man or woman.

As usual a beautiful piece that has captured the imagination of all, as it flowed from your ways. Do I ever suggest anything, well only on the odd time, and the last word of this lovely piece asked to be changed to Grace, but it is fine as is. Hope you can walk straight now, am thinking of you all, Yours Ian.T

Congrads on evolution! Eddie "If while I'm drunk, I get dragged to the station for interrogation, am I in the stoplight?"

R., Real nice work here. A very hard pattern to maintain. Well done. wcw