Welcome to WDC, fellow Maineiac! I hope you enjoy your time here!

Some things I Like:

There is something intriguing about a howling wall... a howling wind that is also a wall of snow... a howling snow in a wall of wind. Somehow, this simple string of words can bring to mind all sorts of intriguing visuals. I first read this piece last night, and I thought they were odd. Today, I just think it's fun.

Sometimes internal rhymes can be so uneven that it throws off the rhythm of a poem, but you managed to avoid that issue. The flow is quite good.

I also love the "Cold like a razor", which is another line that I didn't love at first. My mind kept trying to change it to "Cold as a razor", which would be both dull and inappropriate in context. At any rate, I think that "Cold like a razor, sharp and deep" is amazing. I grew up in the bitter cold too, so I have certainly felt that bitter coldness that causes physical pain when you step outdoors.

Observations & Suggestions:

The "animals starve and people weep" flows exceptionally well, and the rhyme works nicely too. When I first saw it though, I wondered WHY the people weep. Just because it's cold? Because the animals starve? Because people become sick in the winter? It is somewhat vague and could be answered in many ways, but it made me curious. No answer seems to be the obvious one.

I really like the actual concept of the poem. You painted the scene well... one that does not bring to mind love. Because it is entirely outdoors though (all of the cold is nature-related), it doesn't relate much to people themselves. I mean, they live inside warm cozy houses with quilts to cuddle under. A roaring fire... a glass of wine... some might consider that romantic. If somehow the cold crept inside, invaded their warm bubble and made them miserable, then I think the point of the poem would be better taken.

On a similar note, one reason why February may be the least romantic month in the year is that people are sick to death of winter and cold! The novelty has long worn off by then. Incorporating some kind of human element could make the poem stronger.

Overall, I really like it. The imagery is interesting, the idea is amusing, and the flow is perfect. Even if you never change a single thing, the poem is a good one.






My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .