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 Review #4717789 |
 | The cozy chair that I'm not in  [E] Whose idea was it to go camping, anyway? (published in Strong Verse magazine)  |
| (5.0)| Dear Ben Langhinrichs ,I had the pleasure of reading, "The cozy chair that I'm not in." It captivates as you have woven emotion and vivid imagery together. Many qualities of this poem that stands out. The use of personification is a striking element. You've given life to an inanimate object by having it "sit patiently" and "await your return." This creates a strong sense of longing and attachment to the chair, a symbolic representation of comfort and solace. This reader can connect with the emotions you're trying to convey. Your choice of words and imagery is another strong point. The chair is not just any chair; it's "beside the cozy fireplace," which instantly conjures warmth in a reader's mind. The juxtaposition of this inviting setting with the speaker's sense of loss and despair creates poignant contrast. "The cozy chair that I'm not in" also effectively explores the theme of missed opportunities and regrets. The lines, "I’d give my first-born child to be back there / Instead I weep, as I will never learn," encapsulate the depth of remorse and the feeling of having made a wrong choice.The line "I’d give my first-born child to be back there" does employ hyperbole to exaggeration used for emphasis. In this context, the depth of their longing and regret. The dark humor plays on absurdity while the whole of your work does not. Instead, you have combined elements of longing, regret, and foreboding with a touch of dark humor. Using it sparingly effectively creates contrast to the speaker's sense of loss and irony. This mixture makes the poem more complex and thought-provoking. Furthermore, your use of rhyme and meter is consistent and adds to the overall flow. It gives the piece a sense of structure and musicality to complement. For instance, the rhyme between "chance" and "advance" and the internal rhyme of "terrified" and "fight" in the second stanza enhance nicely. The progression from the nostalgic reminiscence to that foreboding sense of dread was well-executed. It takes a reader on a journey of comfortable memory with the onset of unsettling realization. This shift in tone keeps an audience engaged, adding depth to the narrative. The final couplet, "Though you swear nothing in the darkness lies / Still, I can feel a thousand hostile eyes," is particularly effective. It is to leave the reader with a sense of unease, drawing them into the speaker's fear and apprehension. Its thought-provoking ending lingers in the mind. I find "The cozy chair that I'm not in" skillfully crafted, beautifully capturing the essence of longing, missed opportunities, and the haunting specter of regret. Your use of personification, evocative imagery, and a well-structured rhyme scheme made it a compelling read. You did well to convey complex emotions and tell a story in a succinct and engaging manner. Thank you for sharing your published work. I look forward to reading more in the future. Best regards, Brian WDC Angel Army Reviewer   A reaffiliated review. Sorry if confusing. Never mix low vision with ADHD.  My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .
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