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This Poem was Submitted By: Gene Dixon On Date: 2007-04-02 15:47:19 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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The Quisling

Like as not, you won't remember this, Dismissing in that offhand way of yours, A touch that could be called a Judas kiss; Betrayal that conveniently occurs. Through all the fog, most people would agree That though souls sing, they seldom sound the same. Some choose a gallows, some a savior's tree. The way we die at times reveals our name. Harlequins will hide behind a mask And speak of love to angels and to imps. Their eyes are thin. A question one might ask: Who are the whores and who might be the pimps? Some men are sold without a conscious thought And some, quite conscientiously, are bought.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Andrew Hislop On Date: 2007-04-29 18:41:02
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Gene A highly crafted sonnet in what reminds me of the style of Alexander Pope: cuttingly personal. If a specific person is targetted here, they should feel entirely chastened. "And some, quite conscientiously, are bought" is as taut an encapsulation of the mode of personal corruption that it should become someone's epitaph and hung in a very public space. Mind you, at a very cynical stretch, one could legitimately hang it over the grave of the entire, sadly all-too-credulous, body politic. Nice one. Best wishes Mark

This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2007-04-13 09:14:17
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
I like the tone throughout this piece. The questioning style and sonnet form suits your topic well and enhances your subject. Your words wakened many thoughts this morning. It is so true , "That though souls sing, they seldom sound the same. Some choose a gallows, some a savior's tree. The way we die at times reveals our name." we all walk our own reality, and choose our paths of survival, ignoring what we need to and pluckng what need be. We all use each other along the way, but isn't that what need be for "survival". The ending of your piece is very strong and an excellent question to ponder. thanks for sharing your thoughts this morning.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2007-04-12 09:35:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.87500
A well fitting title for this piece presented poet......good presentation of feelings, word flow and images.....Judas kiss; Betrayal that conveniently occurs........I am sure in our walk though life we often consider someone to be our friend who in reality turns out to be against what we believe in, what we may need or want and thus causes horrible situations to occur.......I honestly feel our leaders do that more then we want to admit , need or desire in a lifetime. It is getting easier to see who is being bought these days.......thanks for posting, take care, God Bless, Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2007-04-07 21:48:58
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Gene, This is wonderful! I'd call our president a quisling. Judas for sure. Although a lot of us could be traitors also. In your poem you tied this to Jesus and his followers. The Judas kiss/savior's tree. I think this poem could apply to everyday. As daily we exerience pimping, whoring within our worlds, within ourselves. It is difficult to be allegiant it seems. some are sold and some are bought! Quite cheaply too. Your title is good! Your rhyming is perfect. Nonintrusive/perfection! I'm pleased I got to read this one. Outstanding. Dellena

This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2007-04-04 11:22:28
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
I hear the echoes from another poem, "a coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only one." Good poems do that, reflecting back on sage thoughts and noble values...express to no time and food for thought always. Within this poem lies this quality at many levels. And yet it does not reduce to cliche', and addresses discerning detail...,"The way we die AT TIMES reveals our name."...yes, not always. The poem abounds with illiteration and assonance and line end rhyme, the last set apart by indentation from the rest. As a mechanism to "bring the reader up" expressly on what the poem is about (The Quisling) its statement is so accented. The form for the poem is well chosen. More structure would merely have impeded the poet's fine articulation and made contrivance necessary to maintain its complexity. The quality of illiteration found in the line, "That though souls sing, they seldom sound the same." is beautifully enhanced by its assonance. Perhaps your best line, this bears the marks of an accomplished poet. The entire body of the poem is selectivey disposed to its final two lines, artfully brought to crescendo, with the play between "conscious" and "conscientously" adding even more depth. Indeed a quisling possesses all characteristics of harlequin, whore and pimp (hence the building of crescendo) and this device avoids any laboring of the point. I find placing the unusual euphemism you've made of those that, "speak of love to angels and imps" in the line, "Their eyes are thin." placed on the same line with your address to the next thought's question, a slight weakness. The reader labors in his read to connect its meaning to both since it is not common. If I'm not mistaken, it's a classical construct pertaining to how the Elisabethan took squinting. If so, I suspect you suffer the same literary "taint" as do I. All in all a most exceptional poem and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm looking forward to any more you might submit. JCH the point.

This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2007-04-03 15:46:06
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Gene....so nice to read a poem from your talented pen. This is a beautiful sonnet...a poetry form that seems to allude me. The title is perfect for the theme. I have tried to decide upon a line or phrase that could count as my favorite but alas I cannot. Each line has meaning and to seperate one for the other could be called a sin. However, I do like "Judas kiss"....it is quite different and innovative. Your rhyming is impeccable and the flow is like liquid that falls down the page. I admire those poets who seem to be able to rhyme easily when it is such a chore for me. I write a lot of free verse but on occasion will get real brave and write something in rhyme. I love sonnets and you have written this one very well....bravo. cheers....Marilyn

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Steven Scheffer On Date: 2007-04-03 12:15:58
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
BFB, I went right down center court and didin't miss a dribble. At the top of the key, I even passed it between the legs and switched hands. Pretty good. Now, if I'd have written it, it would have ended with a three pointer. But this is good. :) If I owe you a free throw, let me know. Personally, I think my D here is rather tame. FP PS - it's you who have the hands of a thief. I know I have a quisling sonnet somewhere . . .

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2007-04-02 16:45:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Gene, So eloquently put, so true and so well put. Thank you so much for this reaffirming post, it is such a pleasure to read a work where the author sees beyond the mundane, behind the viels of complacency. I always enjoy your work when you treat us to one of your creations. No nits from this reader just admiration. Best always, Lora

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