El Matador y el Toro
A short essay on courage and death41 total reviews
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
If you have ever been to a bullfight, it is tragic. I attended one when I was just 16 in Madrid and it was a bloody sight and the bull suffered and the matador was very scared for his life. A scene I would prefer to forget and your words here are powerfully true, one of these creatures will die, but which one? Love Dolly x
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
  |
If you have ever been to a bullfight, it is tragic. I attended one when I was just 16 in Madrid and it was a bloody sight and the bull suffered and the matador was very scared for his life. A scene I would prefer to forget and your words here are powerfully true, one of these creatures will die, but which one? Love Dolly x
Comment Written 12-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
-
Thank you, Dolly. Yes, and I believe the effect of the scene on the observer is gender specific. I, too, witnessed a fight when I was about 18, in the military, and feeling masculinity keenly. Bullfighting is brutal. As I wrote this, I was more thinking of Hemingway's rendering of the whole culture of bullfighting on the matador's courage IN THE FACE OF fear. Courage would be meaningless if fear wasn't a part of it. I also wanted the reader to experience the possibility of courage--hence fear--in the bull as well. Thank you for adding your unique dimension to this poem.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written 2-4-2 poem about a bullfighter that gambles with his life every time he taunts an angry bull for some fun and excitement and short-lived fame.
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
|
A very well-written 2-4-2 poem about a bullfighter that gambles with his life every time he taunts an angry bull for some fun and excitement and short-lived fame.
Comment Written 12-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
-
Thank you, Sandra, for reading and giving your thoughts on this poem. The brevity certainly imposes limitation. A total of eight syllables took me longer to write than a piece of flash fiction.
Comment from royowen
This is the style that we've come to expect of a good short form poem, or, in this case a 2/4/2. It certainly is a good one, with that lovely touch of ambiguity, well done, good luck Jay, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
|
This is the style that we've come to expect of a good short form poem, or, in this case a 2/4/2. It certainly is a good one, with that lovely touch of ambiguity, well done, good luck Jay, blessings Roy
Comment Written 12-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 12-Nov-2020
-
Thank you so very, very much, Roy.
-
A pleasure Jay,
Comment from Gloria ....
Man alive, it's hard to imagine it's almost December. This seems so much bigger than 8 syllables and that is because you have maximized every element of this difficult form. The title different from the text and not a word that doesn't carry a ton of weight.
Excellent job with your entry, Jay and I wish you great luck with the Contest Committee. :)
Gloria
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
Man alive, it's hard to imagine it's almost December. This seems so much bigger than 8 syllables and that is because you have maximized every element of this difficult form. The title different from the text and not a word that doesn't carry a ton of weight.
Excellent job with your entry, Jay and I wish you great luck with the Contest Committee. :)
Gloria
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
You are too kind, Gloria. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Comment from amada
I had an illusion of that red flowing, and my little eyes turned around fast. Your words are strong as well., those bullfighter get a lot of adulation,after a killing.
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
I had an illusion of that red flowing, and my little eyes turned around fast. Your words are strong as well., those bullfighter get a lot of adulation,after a killing.
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
Many thanks, Amada. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it.
Comment from Carmen Ducharme
Wow so little words but so much of a story told ! Well done! Nicely written 2/4/2 poem that has a beginning a middle and an end .very well done .Thank you for sharing .Good luck in the contest .
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
Wow so little words but so much of a story told ! Well done! Nicely written 2/4/2 poem that has a beginning a middle and an end .very well done .Thank you for sharing .Good luck in the contest .
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
Thank you, Carmen. I'm happy it worked for you.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Every carefully-selected word packs its punch! Bold and to the point--cape-fluttered taunt. You wisely made good use of title/desc. to enhance the sparse 2/4/2 allotment--amazing how many people just repeat the lines of the poem!
Congrats on your win!
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
Every carefully-selected word packs its punch! Bold and to the point--cape-fluttered taunt. You wisely made good use of title/desc. to enhance the sparse 2/4/2 allotment--amazing how many people just repeat the lines of the poem!
Congrats on your win!
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
So kind, Elizabeth! I'm happy you enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time on it.
Comment from equestrik
This is one of the cruelest things that man does. Your writing is fine and goes with your picture. I just have to speak out about this horrid and cruel practice.
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
This is one of the cruelest things that man does. Your writing is fine and goes with your picture. I just have to speak out about this horrid and cruel practice.
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
I couldn't agree more about the "sport". As well as the bull run when nearly every year someone is seriously injured.
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Truth soon - the winners takes it all including the life of the defeated, what a tragedy. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest and thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
Truth soon - the winners takes it all including the life of the defeated, what a tragedy. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest and thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
Thank you, Iza. It is an existential situation.
Comment from robyn corum
Jay,
It's funny. I almost always read the author's notes first. In this case, with your post, that meant I scrolled down to the bottom and saw your poem BEFORE I saw the image.
I have to tell you honestly - I pictured the whole thing in my mind vividly. There was no need for a picture for ME. That says something pretty big, imo. In just six words you painted the whole scene. WITH the dramatic question that hangs over each encounter.
Great job - thanks! (no sixes)
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
|
Jay,
It's funny. I almost always read the author's notes first. In this case, with your post, that meant I scrolled down to the bottom and saw your poem BEFORE I saw the image.
I have to tell you honestly - I pictured the whole thing in my mind vividly. There was no need for a picture for ME. That says something pretty big, imo. In just six words you painted the whole scene. WITH the dramatic question that hangs over each encounter.
Great job - thanks! (no sixes)
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
-
Your kind words are worth a six any day. Thank you so much, Robyn.