Comment from Millibrad

Excellent

Ugh! What a gruesome looking dummy. A creepy twist in this little tale, and an excellent on it is. Good luck in the contest and thanks for posting.

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thank you for reading & reviewing it for me, Millibrad. I'm glad that you liked it.

Comment from James Dooney

Excellent

Yes this is not too bad here. The language is good and the struture of your work is strong. Well done. Good luck in the comp.

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thank you, James. I'm very grateful for the review and the well wishes. All are greatly appreciated, my friend...

Comment from ElPoetry001

Exceptional

Excellent metaphor
Does Geppetto control Pinocchio? Maybe not.
Many people act as the face of a company, or of a politician, when that person does not make the decisions, and the agenda is moved along with a slogan, a song, or a perpetuated propaganda cover story.
Seeing what you get is really not about seeing, rather it is what you do not see that prevails.
We have many medications that have no value, other than as a placebo to those who have been mesmerized to believe in the inherent magic of the elixir and the smile of the salesman.
Remember President Reagan said it: "Accept by verify."
Transparency is just another political word that means: believe because I say it is so.

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

All true, ElPoetry001, and very well stated, as well. If there were sixes to be handed out for reviewing, you would certainly have on of mine. But wait! Perhaps I can generate my own...?

Ah ha! There we go! Ah-h-h-h, the many wonders of modern technology. Ain't it grand?



Thanks for the fabulous rating and review, my friend.

Comment from Willowsong

Exceptional

Oooo...nicely written! Loved how the dummy wasn't evil but loved his puppeteer to the point of helping him give his final performance. Excellent image and color scheme used along with the breaks in the stanzas. Really gave it an authentic feel. Creepy, yet caring at the same time. Very 'Tales from the Crypt'...kudos!

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thanks so much, Willowsong. I'm really glad you picked up on the old vintage style I tried so desperately to create here. I'd almost thought I'd failed, as you are the first to have mentioned it. Thank you too for the 'Tales From the Crypt' reference. That just happens to be one of my all time favorite series. Be sure to cast your vote, as the contest is now open. If not for DUMMY, then for one of the other fine tales of spine tingling terror submitted. The authors worked very hard in them, you can tell. I have read and reviewed every one.

Thanks again for the fabulous rating and kind review, my friend! All is greatly appreciated.

reply by Willowsong on 22-Apr-2014

It was my absolute pleasure and happy to have grabbed notice of the nuances you spent so much time and effort portraying. TFTC is also one of my all time favorite shows too. I've watched every episode at least a dozen times. I look forward to reading the others and casting my vote soon. My favorite category to vote for so far....such a fun way to write! :-)

Comment from TAB_that's me

Excellent

Ok, this sent shivers down my spine so I think it is a great contender for the horror poem contest. I guess he was a magician as well as a ventriloquist:) Good luck in the contest.
Teresa

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Shivers generated down the spine are always a good thing in a couple of respects, and one of them is eliciting a response to horror writing. We won't go into the other one just now.

I'm really glad to see that you enjoyed reading this one, Teresa. And be sure to vote, as the contest is ongoing now. If not for this entry, then for one of the many other chilling tales of terror entered in the contest.

Thanks again, my friend!

reply by TAB_that's me on 22-Apr-2014

I will go vote now as I feel voting in contests is important. In fact I just won the lonely contest.

reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

They are, and the authors put so much time and effort into these works, it's a shame how these contests get passed over by so many. I've never understood that.

So it was you who wrote lonely, was it Teresa? That's the one that got my vote. I'm happy to see that it won.

reply by TAB_that's me on 22-Apr-2014

Yes, that was mine and thanks for the vote. I had already read and reviewed several of the horror ones and just finished the rest. Yours was the only one that gave me chills so you got my vote. I think I know who you are too - the king of horror, Dean? It doesn't matter as I already voted. Good luck - you're at the top spot right now.

reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

I must remain anonymous for now. But, we'll all know soon enough, won't we, lol?

reply by TAB_that's me on 22-Apr-2014

yep, lol!

Comment from Andrewajgblue

Exceptional

I knew who this was instantly, I could spot your talent a mile away D.K , as always a fantastic story , and the wording was great and that deliciously creepy ending, I loved it,
Andrew

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thanks, Andrew, but how did you know? Lets keep that our little secret, deal? (LOL) I'm really happy that you enjoyed the poem, and that you liked the ending. I labored over that ending the most, it just wouldn't come to me at first. It was really fun to write, though. But, of course it was for me. Just look at the subject matter!

reply by Andrewajgblue on 22-Apr-2014

I know it was right up your street, it was really good so well done :)

Comment from Leineco

Excellent

Ahhhh - the eternally creepy idea that lurks somewhere under the the rocks in our brain. . .(my own catalyst the 1978 classic "magic", with Anthony Hopkins) that there is something satanic lurking behind the soul-less eyes of manipulated mannequins! Perhaps that's why I like Jeff Dunham so much - even his creepy "terrorist" skeleton (Achmed) seems somewhat 'lovable'. (LOL)

Anyway - nice take on the horror quotient of ventriloquist's dummies! ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer" had an episode with this reverse twist I enjoyed equally :-)

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thanks very much, Leineco, I'm very glad that you liked it.

Yes, it was that movie, "MAGIC", which inspired this write. Fats was a chilling character, and Anthony Hopkins, who played Corky, and Ann Margaret did a fabulous job in it. Oh, and let's not forget Burgess Merideth as Corky's concerned agent.

Were you aware that Hopkins actually did all of the voices for Fats?

Anyhow, I'm rambling.

Thanks again, and be sure to cast your vote. If not for my entry, then for one of the other fine, eerie pieces in the contest.

Comment from Glasstruth

Excellent

The dummy is an extension of the entertainer. An indirect way of saying something that would normally go unnoticed. The dummy is not what it appears to be. Your rhyming is done in an elegant way. A brilliant piece! Les

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thank you very much, Les. I really liked your insight on the dummy. That was very good.

I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, my friend, and be sure to cast your vote, if you haven't already. If not for this entry, then for one of the other fine pieces that submitted to this contest.

Thanks again!

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This is a creepy read with an eerie ending. It's a nice chiller packed into a mere hundred words. The production values of the poster and background are appreciated as well.

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thank you very much, Bill. I'm really glad that you enjoyed reading it, and I appreciate your generous review.

Comment from jmdg1954

Exceptional

For me this is six star worthy first because of the creepy story you told in Pericles fashion, and secondly for the historical significance written for ventriloquism.

Overall an enjoyable post, John

 Comment Written 22-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Apr-2014

Thank you very much John, especially for the mention of Pericles, that was very nice! I'm glad that you enjoyed this creepy offering, and thank you for mentioning that you liked the author's notes as well. I think it is always nice to know a little history behind the subject matter, if possible.