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21 Public Reviews Given
21 Total Reviews Given
Public Reviews
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Review of a chapter of fear  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.0)
This poem is a bold, cerebral experiment in tautological abstraction. It circles themes of fear, power, and knowledge with a recursive, almost incantatory rhythm. Lines like “knowledge is power, knowledge is fear” and “fear is a power of fear” intrigue as philosophical koans, probing the paradoxes of control and vulnerability. The minimalist structure—chopped into fragmented axioms—mirrors the claustrophobia of overthought, where concepts cannibalize themselves (“a chapter outweighs a chapter”).
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Review of Craftsman  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (4.0)
This epic, labyrinthine poem wrestles with the tempest of artistic creation—its ecstasies, delusions, and existential toll. The central metaphor of the spider’s web transformed into a rejected tapestry, then a blade, then a flute, is undeniably inventive, weaving mythic ambition with raw vulnerability. Lines like “forge a sword of utter cruelty” and “ghostly effigy” crackle with visceral intensity, capturing the artist’s spiral into obsession. However, the poem’s sprawling length and uneven pacing dilute its power: transitions (e.g., the siren’s abrupt entrance, the sun-leaping climax) feel rushed, and archaic diction (“ne’er,” “thence”) clashes with modern phrasing, muddying tone. While the cyclical structure—beginning and ending with the spider’s web hints at profound self-reflection, the dense allegory risks obscuring emotional resonance.
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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
This poem skillfully mirrors external weather with internal turmoil, using vivid imagery like "raindrops prance" and "dismal clouds" to evoke a melancholic mood. The transition from storm to calm ("sun peeks out as the rain subsides") effectively parallels the shift from mental chaos to creative clarity, anchored by the hopeful "bird’s concordant greeting." However, overly formal diction ("commodious solitude," "accredit my thoughts diligently") disrupts the flow, feeling forced and distancing the reader. While the thematic arc from gloom to poetic release is compelling, uneven meter and archaic phrasing ("tempest withdraw") muddy its emotional immediacy. Praises: Strong nature-emotion parallels, evocative closing metaphor.
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Review of The Blues  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
This poem wields visceral, blues-drenched imagery to articulate heartache, with lines like “drowning in the bluest blues” and “shadows became home” painting a raw portrait of desolation. The extended metaphor of love as a silent, suffocating melody is striking, though some phrases (“deepest darkest shadows”) edge toward cliché, diluting their impact. The rhythm stumbles in places (e.g., “faint beating of our hearts forgot to pound” feels cumbersome), yet the closing plea for a “bluesman” to purge the pain injects a gritty, cathartic hope. While the structure leans heavily on familiar blues tropes, the emotional core achingly human in its vulnerability resonates. A flawed but earnest lament, where the rawness of grief outshines its occasional lack of polish.
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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (4.0)
A radiant celebration of faith’s promise, this poem shines as a testament to spiritual certainty. Yet, interspersing the celestial with the earthly, how does divine “togetherness” feel in human hands? Might bridge the gap between doctrine and lived experience. Keep weaving light; your words could guide others home.
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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
While rich in tradition, the poem leans heavily on well-trodden imagery (e.g., “Holy Cross,” “Heavenly Father”). Introducing fresh metaphors or personal reflections could deepen its emotional resonance. The tone remains largely triumphal, which risks flattening the human complexity of faith—anguish, doubt, or personal transformation. Some lines feel metrically uneven, disrupting the hymn-like flow (e.g., “Of The Beautiful Lord adorning / Our joyful and happy souls”).

This work serves as a heartfelt doxology, ideal for readers seeking affirmation of shared beliefs. Yet, to transcend the echo of tradition, it might dare to interrogate or personalize the weight of “obligatory truth”—how does the individual soul grapple with divine fear or grace? A solid testament to faith’s communal power, with room to explore its intimate, messy intersections with human frailty. A stirring tribute to the cornerstone of Christian faith. May it ignite both contemplation and praise.
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Review of CLEARLY ESTRANGED  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
This is poetry as a wound left open, a testament to love’s ability to haunt long after its pulse fades. The closing toast (“Sköl!!”) is devastating in its irony—a salute to what was, and what cannot be revived. Thank you for sharing this unflinching portrait of endings.

“The speed of life” races on, but your words force us to linger in the ruin—and perhaps, in the lingering, find a shard of grace.
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Review of Vicious Circles  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (4.5)
Your poem immerses readers in the suffocating weight of solitude, where the search for self and connection collide. Lines like “darkness shrouding her, embodying the emptiness” and “she welcomed the pain and loneliness” are haunting in their raw vulnerability, blurring the line between despair and introspection. The recurring motif of reflections—both literal and metaphorical—adds depth, suggesting identity is fractured yet yearning to be whole. The closing lines linger, leaving a ghostly hope; that in confronting the shadows, she might yet meet the self she’s meant to become.

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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (4.0)
Your poem pierces the quiet ache of sacrifice with raw, unflinching clarity. The tension between duty and self—epitomized in lines like “Both roads lead to Nowhere Land”—resonates deeply, framing indecision not as weakness, but as a haunting act of love. The simplicity of your structure amplifies the weight of the choice, though I wonder if expanding the imagery (e.g., defining the “roads” with sensory details) might deepen the emotional gut-punch. The final stanza’s resolve—“This cross I bear is mine alone”—lands with quiet power, leaving readers suspended in the aftermath of a heart split open. A poignant exploration of solitude’s paradox: how leaving can be its own form of devotion. A moving testament to love’s silent burdens, thank you for sharing this journey.
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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 13+ | (2.5)
This poem plunges readers into a visceral exploration of youthful passion, blending raw sensuality with fleeting glimpses of aspirational futures. Its unflinching explicitness—"copious sequences of oral / And coital penetration"—serves as both its strength and its stumbling block, immersing audiences in the heat of the moment while occasionally veering into gratuitous terrain. While it is a bold, unapologetic ode to carnal passion, this poem thrums with energy but struggles to transcend its explicit surface. Tightening metaphors, refining clichés, and weaving the couple’s emotional journey more intricately with their physical acts could elevate it from provocative to profound.
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Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: E | (3.5)
This is a heartfelt, rhythm-driven tribute to veterans, blending patriotic fervor with a structured, almost march-like cadence. The poem’s strength lies in its earnest intent—to honor the sacrifices of servicemen and women and its inclusive acknowledgment of both “Johnny and Jane,” ensuring female veterans are visibly celebrated. Lines like “Ev’ry forehead of sweat brings the sweetest sunset” evoke the grueling labor and quiet heroism behind the safety of home, while spiritual undertones (“Th’Eternal Day comes”) nod to the transcendent legacy of service.

However, the poem’s adherence to rhyme and meter occasionally strains its clarity. Contractions like “Ev’ry” and phrases such as “shoe’s latchet laced t’ward the onslaught to brace” may trip readers, prioritizing rhythm over organic expression. While the repetition of “cheers” underscores gratitude, some stanzas verge on redundancy, diluting the emotional impact.

Still, its sincerity shines. The closing stanza, with its “heart-covered hand” and nod to “Stars and Stripes,” delivers a resonant, unifying finish. A noble effort that, with tighter diction and more inventive imagery, could ascend from earnest homage to timeless tribute.
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Review of Katherina  Open in new Window.
Review by Kaytings Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ | (3.5)
"Katherina" delivers a brisk, suspenseful tale anchored by its fearless twelve-year-old protagonist, whose vigilante spirit drives the narrative. The story thrives on urgency, weaving a web of small-town corruption and hidden dangers as Katherina infiltrates a predator ring, exposing ties to a compromised detective. Her dynamic with Private Investigator Sharoni adds depth, blending mentorship with mutual respect, though secondary characters could benefit from further development.

The plot’s twists—particularly the reveal of institutional betrayal heighten the tension, though some resolutions feel rushed (e.g., the FBI’s abrupt intervention). Katherina’s precociousness walks a fine line between inspiring and improbable, but her agency and moral grit make her compelling. The prose leans functional, prioritizing pace over poeticism, which suits the thriller genre but occasionally sacrifices emotional nuance.

A promising setup for future adventures, the story shines in its exploration of courage and justice, even if deeper thematic exploration and tighter narrative cohesion would elevate it further. An engaging read for fans of headstrong young heroes and small-town intrigue
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