"I have looked upon the Cockatrice and survived"
Colonel Rogachev
Footfall by Niven & Pournelle

Hello Larry,

well done on this creative piece. I know how it feels to have an idea and work on it to completion.

I am sure you are please on the win, I know I am pleased for you.

'O ill-dispersing wind of misery!
O my accursed womb, the bed of death!
A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world,
Whose unavoided eye is murderous.'
^
From Shakespeare's play, Richard III.

Take care,

Michael

Firstly I'd like to say congratulations on the win, how I missed this is I do not know.

A very creative, beautiful piece full of imagery. Each piece of yours get better.

Em

Congratulations on your win-deep intense poem.

Judges comment

Another poem that stood out for me.
Such kiplingesque narrative, such detail and tongue twisting
fab scene setting. Just one of those poems that I wish I had written.
I also salute the use of punctuation. Too many of us don't use it because we don't know how.
A well placed comma trumps any poorly used adjective. 7 points.

Judge Comments:

The title alone deserves 10 points :-)
This poem is just incredible by Larry this week. I was so blown away when he posted this.

Its rhythmic in it's graceful format and style and it held me captivated from start to finish.

It's not very often that you read a poem within the Egyptian times, mixed with a mythical creature, with two heads... That is why I said the title stands in high regards!

It doesn't matter to me if this was meant to be a metaphoric piece or as is... the message is brilliant and I am in complete awe!