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Review of Green  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Very progressive grasshopper. Knows what it likes and wants. It identifies by it's color, a strong green locust.

Big reveal at end of this poem because the narration had me thinking it was a person or the poet speaking of preference. Could have sold me this was an Irishman.

I wondered if grasshoppers change color to adapt. Googled a little about that, gave me something to ponder, including what colors they actually see.

Humans might be limited in ability to see color compared with other insect and animal species.

Good stuff to consider

Brian


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Review of Raising Ophelia  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
Dear {super:wildone},

Where have all the good reviewers/writers gone? I had but once learned:

"You've definitely captured something...here - an almost muted, but still very present eroticism in the building of images; the contrasts upon which experience depends...and so leads to risk, and even possible crisis; and you have an ease with words and diction here, along with well-placed rhymes ... that is really layered and draws the reader into this world that is both strange and oddly natural."

As do you. Well captured visuals that stir emotions for this reader. Great reaction to Shakespeare's Ophelia. Bit awkward was line three that required punctuation where I stumbled. Wasn't sure I fully followed rhyme scheme. I write freeverse now.

Thanks for your past reviews,

Brian
C.R.


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Review of Resonance  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Hello James Munz Author Icon,

I found your poem listed as one of the new or "newbie" writers here and decided to look in and possibly provide feedback.

Honesty is what I feel writers want from reviewers; however, this site heavily leans on positive and encouraging interactions from this process. Pardon me if what I offer seems limited in the detail I could give from my thoughts, as I feel an obligation to this community to provide input that aligns within accordance of the values set forth that distill the reviewing process.

That said, I will temper honest revelations with what I see needs improvement.

This offering of yours is brief and reads quick and smooth and plays with words as expressions that have some vibrancy to them. The overall message and theme of the poem does not reveal in your description line, though I get a flavor of its genre as philosophy, spiritual and tribute. I get the philosophy angle primarily from this.

When I read poetry like this, I'm reminded of the spare thoughts shared by e.e. cummings in what I think was a final anthology of his previously unpublished work. To me, you are using some clever words as imagery related to the narrator as a complex, wired machine. Though, I think it might more about the process of one's personal creativity or ideation that sets oneself apart uniquely.

I find the writing to be a bit oblique and not concretely tied to a particular vision forming in my head about what I am to visualize. It is purely the spirit of the author being ascribed colorful words. It feels like you could get more from this experience if you associate it directly, comparatively in a way readers can relate. I cannot offer detail on what that would be, since this is the property of the author, and in accordance with their vision can only suggest providing more detail for a heightened experience for consumers of your art.

This poem to me reads as something deeply personal to you and is just the beginning of what I believe the writer in you can express moving forward with your skill, having mastered some visual word play.

Continued good writing to you,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review of Crafting you.  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Dear Sammy Author Icon,

I like what you are trying to do here. The description line helps me realize your vision for this poem. Sometimes, it's hard to get the vision right. The simplicity of the poem itself is essentially what makes it special. I have a few suggestions and an example for you to consider.

Since there is no real person, but a construct at work, is the personal pronoun 'I' necessary? Looking at this, it would be hard thing to edit out or restructure for the purpose of getting the reader to become the viewer of the thing you wish to bring to life. Is there a way to speak of this in third person that would allow a reader to still assume the narrator is in the poem?

If I could speak
I would talk.


Did you mean 'it'? If you did, it would change the whole thrust of that open and maybe the scope of what I am now reviewing. because the following lines"


If I could paint
it would be the Mona LIsa.
If I could construct
it would be the Taj Mahal.


I like the concept of this. It shows the ability, what's inside of us yearning to escape. I think as writers we all feel this is in us, but how to tap into it?

One word
a single brushstroke.


Nice. I see this as a great hook to open a poem. Riff off that because it feels like the starting point. It does serve well as the midpoint to this, jumping off the idea the poet must take the journey of a thousand miles with that first step, but with artistry and specific purpose...not an aimless journey.

Sentences
voice my thoughts on you.
Together
with layer on layer.
My words build you.


This part is where you may have felt the Taj Mahal wasn't being constructed and may have just ended it there. I think your paintbrush would agree you threw in the towel too early on this poem. Where was it going to go? It does, ironically show, the artist still struggles to tap into that gift of creativity. Anyone ever get poetic describing sentence construction? It's a boring process, but I'll bet if you google you'll find some inspiring words you could feed off.

This is a poem worthy of further consideration, even if it is never successfully painted like Mona. It is part of the writer's process to greater works. Who painted Mona, I'm not sure. But, I'll bet they struggled until she found acclaim. And maybe, not in that artist's lifetime. Davinci, maybe. Rembrandt, likely. Others, I've heard stories they had to die before fame found their works.

Pleasure to consider. Your poem does inspire thought and helps me carry forward thoughts about constructing poetry and envisioning potential talent. Keep writing,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer






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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (5.0)
Dear beckafreckle,

This was a pleasure to read with unique word choices, expressions and form that catapults a reader from stanza to stanza. What was a change of pace was the use of masterpiece, that if you don't look up the expression, you won't fully comprehend it's like a triumph of hunting.

Applying words like bright in ears as expression was the most difficult to relate. I enjoyed, however, working on that. That's why as readers we ponder over word usage to get the message. It's better than a Sunday crossword, because we have arbitrary rules for consumption and reconstruction.

I chose not to look up all the definitions for bright. Someone could really have fun with a thesaurus changing all the intended words into something more reaching. That's what makes your poem fun to consider.

Great use of repeated words with surprise ending to show hunting is for the strong of mind and/or barbaric. I think this poem speaks to guilt and preservation of nature. It's like shooting that bird was like shooting one's soul to haunt dreams.

Sorry to wrap up review so quick, but it was a pleasure to read,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
I found this to be very informative, however, as essays go I thought the writer was supposed to formulate an opinion or move the conversation forward. I did not see a thesis sentence or a conclusion that would take this evidence and put it in a new light.

Having said that, this was very informative and gave me insight into Freud and Jung that I found useful as a reader. The knowledge I obtained about dream analysis was intriguing and well written, for that matter. This gave me new insights into the way our unconscious minds work.

In thinking about your paper, I think Jung owes much to Freud. He essentially took dream analysis and ran with it in his own way. I was not aware that the two became popular because of this rising interest. But, I suppose it makes sense. Before modern time, I imagine it was safer to have your dreams studied than to be psychoanalyzed, which could be implied or inferred that you were half way to the looney bin. It was a safe method of studying the unconscious while getting at how your mind was processing thought through dream.

This paper did go into some detail about how the two approached dreams and the basis for their interpretation, beyond this mysticism of early times when they were not so clinically studied or revealed.

Thanks for sharing this,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review of Dusk  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
Hello!

I have to say, Wow, so much imagery and great depictions in this raw poem with great potential. I was casually reading before the lyrical nature of this poem quickly appeared and helped me visualize what was going on with this presentation.

I would, if I were with you in person, go over this poem line by line. I see places to revise, restructure a bit, and help focus and theme while knowing fully what the author has intended. I feel I'm a bit of a bystander just letting this wash over me and seeing clearly the images you portray. I'm also capture by some unique expressions. So, I will attempt to highlight good stuff and point out areas that I see that could use improvement.

The trees arms and describing 'splintered fingers' was raw but beautifully started to set up this, to me, melancholy visualization being relayed from poet to reader. While you could restructure the phrasing a bit, I'm fully realizing at this point.

This line, 'a jiggardly fro/
with its rick rack veins...'


Awkward yes, but the lyrical, sing-songy feel I stumbled upon didn't rely on comprehending the full meaning of the words but the unique way a jazz player throws his fingers down at the keys of a piano. I wanted more of that. 'jiggardly' alone leaves me wondering, while rick rack (probably hyphenated) seems colloquial, and I needed more of that type of that language in the poem. Or, not at all, but captured with similar phrasing in a separate poem where you could be describing something even more animate.

Whoa-ho! "...seen through a glass square eye..." I've never considered looking through a window with this in mind. We forget that it's framed, that the glass is all that allows us to visualize with the parts cut out. A cropped image, if you will. This is an expression you can hang your hat on, try to compare when you write. It's impossible to fill a poem chock full of expressions as worthy of this. Just know it is part of the framework, the diving rod for all imagery when you come up with something like this. Like that clever jazz player, play off of it. It's your touchstone. Have I gone on long enough?

Okay, the not so good stuff that could use some help...

I will go line by line, but quickly. Let's start out verse by verse....

The dusk grey sky is on the move

*Bullet* I like 'dusk grey' but I prefer it hyphenated to show how the words work together.

-this dusty yellow night

*Bullet* I think this is vague. Is it the horizon? Why is it dusty? questions I have that I can only fill with is it hazy, smoggy, dirt rising up from a road? Needed a little more to go on.

the clouds, are departing
quickly.


*Bullet* Unusual separating that into two lines, which I assume was for emphasis. You can do better than 'departing' using clever descriptions. In fact, we using common names early on with scene setting. What do these clouds like similar to how you're going to describe the tree, for example.

Trees of arms stretched. Splintered
fingers reaching, unable
to make a difference
clouds pass every day


*Bullet* 'Trees of arms' was awkward. As like clouds, do trees have to be named. Let's just saw you're looking at a canvas as an abstract artist. You are painting images with your interpretive instruct. You could just say arms, if you've already set the scene and we would either immediately know they are from trees, or we'd investigate a little as we read and learn.

One mistake poets don't like to make is repeating words, as you've used clouds again and I think stretching another time. Have to flex the language muscles and find unique and creative ways to say the same thing without duplication.

This night is different.
Natures animation; a jiggardly fro
with its rick rack veins spreading
reaches, straining


*Bullet* Fun verse. But the night is different was too plain. I think you have to reach deep down and find what it was about this experience that inspired the poet to share. And, try to avoid repeating words that are too on the nose like night. Poetic words like black, noir, ebon, etc. come to mind, but it is however you would associate this 'different' mood. Is it eerie? Like a calm before a storm? If a person were to examine what makes it different, it could be in us. It could be that something is missing?

The downside of jiggardly is, while I see it as tree tops bouncing and the tree limbs after as veins are spreading, it doesn't connect fully as a visual image as displayed. They sound great together, but don't look great together. It's an opportunity to split them up. Go back up to description of branches and add the veins part. But, have fun like the jazz man and compliment jiggardly in one verse with a comparative images of motions, as well as the rick rack veins in the other verse with something. Should you break them up, rewrite. I'm just the messenger helping you re-envision something with pretty good potential and possible hone your writing craft along the way. Not saying I'm an expert or master, but been around the block and have read a poem or two, as well as wrote, in my time.

The paper cut, black silhouettes
of trees, move in unison
-a declaration of chaotic harmony
and unrest.


*Bullet* Repeating trees. Too on the nose, like before. You're good at expressions and depictions. I like silhouettes. The paper cut to me was unclear. I like move in unison. Sometimes, with a storm whipping up, things in trees do separate but then come back to swirl in motion together. I can visualize this. Perhaps, working on your poem in a way structured by some progression. You can put these scenes in some congruent, orderly event playing out on paper/screen.

A declaration of chaotic harmony and unrest is good, because you do get to summarize at the end as the author. This gets us inside your personal essay on the whole thing.

The silent motion
seen through a glass square eye
is quiet, calm

and almost welcome...


*Bullet* I read this and had two thoughts at the outset. Must be some thick, double or triple paned glass if you can't hear what's going on outside, or headphones. *Laugh* You do repeat redundantly *Bigsmile* with silent and quiet.

Great expression smack dab in the middle. I wonder if starting that last verse with that statement about the window described could roll you into a better ending. I think readers might wonder what they missed when they see 'almost welcome'. Did I miss some of the poet's emotional indicators and reactions to this scripted storm? If you want that, weave in words that could relate to feelings you want to express.

Not sure you need to end on three periods. Maybe, you weren't sure at that point if you were done?

Anyhow, a pleasure to read, consume and comment. Much to consider and inspiring to a reader to put this all together.

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer
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Review of Pick Me  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
In affiliation with Circumpolar Black Light Reviewer  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (4.5)
Dear willow Author Icon,

This was very lovely to read. This piece is so relatable with images of being in this scene that I can imagine. Some of the words and expressions used punctuate moments throughout the poem that connect senses with scene.

If I could run through the poem briefly:

They wave and they dance
on a gentle breeze.


This was a nice open. This use of movement already going off title and description line prepares me for what is a poetic moment in nature and waiting to full focus on what is about to be described, so I may use my own eyes to see.

Delightful and bright
so eager to please.
The sight, the scent,
my eyes, my nose,
the touch of soft yellow
against my clothes.


There's a lyrical quality here being added with words like 'bright' and 'soft yellow' as imagery and sensory type descriptions. If I could suggest anything to improve this experience is try not to explain so much, do this interpretive dance more by what you feel and we'll pick up on the imagery through those word choices. For instance, 'the sight, the scent' is a little too on the nose. It's alliteration and sing-songy feel are important...but, you could leave this out entirely, as 'my eyes, my nose' says the same thing, leaving you room to explore more and add more from this harmonious scene.

I waltz very slowly
absorbing the sun,


Maybe, 'very slowly' doesn't match the intensity and feel of everything else. I imagine the waltz is inspired by a feeling, obviously it can be assumed a spring day is the inspiration amid flowers and a warm sun. Describe the waltz in relation to how you commune and respond to nature...like how some deft dancers are described...I'm coming up short here, but floating, nimble or twirling, spinning, or with gaiety. Sorry, just trying to suggest something stronger. Maybe, something that matches the two lines below:

my barefoot and coolness
of meadow grass are one.


And, now I'm getting something akin to Julie Andrews about to sing 'the hills are alive...'

I bend with the wind
slide down the green stem
plucking the prized flower
and smiling within.


This in itself is the interpretive dance, and what you are building to. Such a great visual right down to smoothly picking that bloom. I can feel in my mind my own hand as a child sliding down the hollow stem of a dandelion or stiff stem of a daisy.

A handful of sunshine
buds blossoming still
Opening my heart
with your sweet spirit fill.


Two thoughts. First, what a great go to: 'handful of sunshine' but soon to become cliché. You could stretch for a greater expression, if you desire. It works perfectly, though. Second, is that last line. I like it. I would like it more if you put more emphasis on 'fill'. If you broke off that line and put that last word at the bottom, I see that working. If just a comma, or some other space maker, it would do. That's kind of like your ending note. I think you want to hold it after pulling off this symphony.

Pleasure to read, consume and comment. Thank you for sharing,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
This is a sweet little poem celebrating and immortalizing love, making it permanent because it is written down.

I especially enjoyed the expression, 'the blueprint of you.' Seems someone is about to patent the other here.

About the regarded eternal, and making grand gestures like these is what seems eternal but is delusional, but acceptable to lovers and poets. It's not because it's transcribed, it's that process of setting words into motion shared. That's where it feels like forever. It's about freezing time, making it stop to linger over love. And, each time the page is retrieved, read, it slows to a standstill again.

It reminds we should be in constant reflection about what we got. The more we do this, the more transcendent.

Good job,

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
I found your free verse poem on the reviewing pages and thought I'd peruse and offer feedback.

This reminds me of a poem written to share with a love with its glowing revelations of fated bliss. I saw some poetic devices at work to make the words symbolic, comparative to love. What it lacked wasi a cohesive theme and supporting metaphors.

You described love like water, but it is not threaded throughout poem. Things should tie together, unless there is a progression of elements used as theme, since you make use of fire, too, by way of spark.

Poem does not break new ground for expressions, sticking with the tried and true. I might suggest this works better as prose, a monologue. It's empassionated discourse celebrates love.

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer.



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Review of Sensory Overload  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Dear Tiffers Author Icon,

You examine and show conditions that could inflict frustration for an anxiety sufferer in your poem in a way I can understand. You set up shared social environs where constant noises disrupt.

In someways I can get the point of what you express, but maybe it's too general in terms like voices, clangs, bumps. I'd like to see a scene or scenes described. There are shared social experiences waiting to unfold. The clostrophobia of a subway, mall, restaurant, grocery store. Clinics, waiting rooms, family gatherings, etc. bring all kinds of people into mix.

You could have annoying people on their phones, rambunctious kids, and traffic. I think you say a lot and this poem suffices. I think you could really bring it home with a day in the life from scene to seen dealing with the most annoying things. You do well to show how it affects the narrator physically and emotionally.

This is a good poem and a great vehicle for sharing and describing these experiences and how they impact a sufferer. Great end with forcing a smile. That says a lot about social conformity.

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer


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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Dear Spiritual dawning, first light Author Icon

I really enjoyed what's at work here in your poem that comprises such clear and refreshing imagery. I found parts of this poem with such a earthen quality that a reader like me would yearn satisfying completion of this effort you've embarked.

She was standing there in front of me, slightly out of breath.

Great first visual, and it leaves a reader wondering 'out of breath' from what, running? No, a moment that takes your breath away. So, let's have at it...

I looked into her mystic eyes and saw what I knew best.

This was subpar compared with the start. I would describe what's mystic about those eyes, color or the way they opened upon the narrator... And cliché to say 'what I knew best.' I can't offer solutions for that, can only say you are capable of better from what I've read.

Our love was so intense, she had to wipe her tears.

I'm just realizing we're in the past tense, and that's okay because he is fondly recalling a moment. Sort of, making it legend. And in doing so, set up expectations more to regale us. 'Our love so intense' could use more describing in that moment that caused her to wipe tears away. What was it? That's what I'm yearning to know as I read on.

{I|Her clover, lavender scented dress buried all her fears.

This is where it gets good. This is the title line and the center of this poem's universe and all actions, words should spin around this beauty he is marveling with tears in her eyes for a moment being described. I would hyphenate 'lavender-scented' myself. unfortunate that 'buried all her fears' would play off of that. When does the narrator get to know what she's feeling. Omniscient? I assumed the narrator was him. To me, that would make it more romantic a telling, to the bar full of patrons or to the grandkids about the day they married. I would just find something stronger than 'buried' here.

In her dress of long pleated cloth, she shone just like the hills.

Now here I see dress repeated and there's an opportunity to continue on with it's description, so beautifully and simply evoked as 'shone just like the hills.'

With flowers in her long dark hair and looks that were to kill.

Type of flowers to evoke imagery that satisfies this scene helps. A comma could be added between long and dark. Strike cliché 'looks that were to kill'. I know rhyming has it's constraints but rhyming dictionaries can be found online for 'hills' to get that special way of describing her rather than telling the way this. This, for a poet, is an opportunity to stretch those creative word shaping muscles and put words together than draw on all fives senses and spark visions and feelings of our own that compare with this moment unfolding.

That long and flowery coloured dress, hangs around her waist.

we're back to the referenced dress. It is the focal point. I would caution you about getting to the point and keeping all the references together to keep a reader from going back and forth. You definitely want progression to the end, building this scene. The line does describe well, though I would cut most and replacing parts of previous description that were weak. You have words that gloss a bit or repeat like flowers/flowery. Just give us types of flowers that adorn, colors and all is forgiven by the reader enjoying.

Her beauty is strong and loving, heaven is what I taste.

So yes, the narrator is the observer. He should only get a sense of what she's feeling. Maybe, by describing what the narrator looks like can be reflected in how she's seeing things that can imply or infer what she is feeling. This line above is very ordinary and tells rather than shows. How is she strong? Loving?

In the forest we said our vows, keeping our words so true.{/I|

Yes, we have vows. But many better verbs than 'said'. Why not, "In the forest our vows echoed, words so true reaching the blue..." or whatever. You are closing this out strong now.

I placed the ring upon her finger, making her feel brand new.

Sealed it. But, how is she brand new? Cliché phrase. We want something the narrator visualizes that sends us as readers to comparable bliss. I could try to suggest better lines. If you've experienced this, if you've felt it somehow, grab on to those sensory images attached to words and cultivate them here for a reader to appreciate.

This poem is a great construct with some strong images that need companion words to bring more brilliance to your rough gem. If you can imagine a scene and the woman and that dress vividly, you can collect all the words and unique expressions to fully bring this to life.

It was a pleasure,

Brian
Circumpolar *Star*


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Review of Ode to Surgery  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
A very short ode to surgery. I had a few thoughts on this that might help improve your offering.

I had to consider the two stanzas separately, as the first four lines are about how the writer struggles and the need for surgery. The last two lines are about going under anesthetic. I thought it was too cryptic to appreciate. the one amusing part of it might be assuming this writer is jotting these thoughts down while going under...like thoughts.

But, there is so much you could explore with this as one who is a master of lying on cots, sedated, waiting for blades.

First off, what hurts? Wrist to shoulder would affect writing. More description here needed. I think of carpal tunnel, though my wrist hurts from a Fitbit because of a torn rotator cuff, which affects my left wrist at times. So, you know, maybe a few details about nerves and bones and tingling or what not.

I like the functionality of lines three and four as part of a traditional rhyming poem. Nice meter and flow and centrifugal to this effort. Then, we get to nitrous, which is a good word but cramped in this short ode next to 'places.' It was too obtuse for me. I would like to envision the man with the mask asking you questions to check your coherency like counting backwards until you fall asleep.

And then, we're asleep. Really not much of a surgery. I love all the nurses, techs, and docs coming in and out of waiting and recovery, pre and post surgery with all their busied tasks. It really is a circus, at times and then a lot of waiting.

I love the roll on the cart down the sterile, cold hallway until we arrive through that door with a bang and I'm delivered to all the dim lit steel edifices and trays full of instruments and people waiting for you with masks on their faces.

Yeah, so much to experience there. And, I'm sure you thought of all that. If you're inspired to add further, you could have a smart, funny, insightful poem that could entertain a reader.

You got some good pieces in place here with this.

Brian


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Review of Begin  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Dear Beholden Author Icon,

Wow, I saw this and I could really see the potential lay out before me. You have a freeverse poem from a tweet me a story contest? I read and want to play with that text to truly envision what the author is intending here.

The trick is to get a reader to visualize, feel what you are describing without telling. It's a short game of charades, perhaps>

You wrote:

Pristine, untouched, white page,
new snowfall of the author’s intent,
field for footprints
of the written word.


My first inclination is to remove that comma after untouched. White page is unto itself for me. But then it gets interesting, comparing it to new fallen snow. And I wonder, do we have to call it 'author's intent?' Could is be shown differently?

Maybe:
Pristine, untouched white page,
a field for new fallen snow
the author’s footprints...


And that's where I would stop and throw away, "of the written word," because it doesn't describe how the author is going to play on that snow, right? This is truly where the fun begins. Do you stomp fluffs flying from boot? Make trails sliding feet? You could kick it, mold it, etc.

The true test is to use operatic words to imply writing. I usually get a thesaurus and this point and look through available words that could imply both writing and winter gaiety.

Good offering that gave me pause to consider where this construct could go.

Brian
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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Alternate Genesis story, alternate big bang theory are both what I thought as I read and wondered about mythology and how the human mind works. It gave me pause to think of how one would witness creation and how it relates to our own creation and resulting devices.

There is a lot of rhetoric here that describes some wonderful insights into creation and how many gods become one god and how ruling class forms over this nothing but everything created out of void.

It really is and isn't a story all at once. There are some descriptive words, but what I get is a sense of self, of inner turmoil fighting for some kind of supremacy. This is what man struggles with, alone, inside. so in a way, this is metaphoric and perhaps an allegory for something else. It's a struggle to really understand our own existence, ultimately, is what I feel as a result.

it was a pleasure to consume,

Brian



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Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
I like this as a hymn or something that could suffice to lead in prayer. It has the old time gospel feel, almost overly familiar with it's inescapable phrasings. It reminds that it must be hard to break ground away from the traditional, inspiring words we've grown accustomed to hearing in services.

I had one wonderment about what you mean by 'exalted lamb'. Wasn't sure if you were addressing, as it continues to describe the lord? Maybe, read aloud it might seem more obvious.

I couldn't see errors.

Brian


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Review of Birthday Party  Open in new Window.
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Rated: E | (3.5)
Hi Jess,

There was a story building here that didn't seem fictional and lacked dialogue and true conflict and no resolution. I think it was a real life experience that the writer was trying to capture but either gave up on the project, hit a wall or just never had a real experience to share because nothing likely transpired at the party because people aren't going to call out someone like that for their religion.

I think the true hero and villain are one character until we have resolution to determine which is which. I felt like there was some good inner dialogue and I learned about Jehovah's Witnesses a bit more than I'm already pretty aware of, having been inside those Assembly of God temples and doing the bible readings one fall before I returned to my regular life.

It seems the narrator made a choice by dividing church and office and is slowly disconnecting from his first family. It would seem doubt is creeping it by the overanalytical way of justifying one's behavior for their new moral compass. I think if this story were to carry forward, it might show we can live different lives in different places while still appreciating our religions and customs.

The narrator did not show leniency for the Mormon or the dirty joke laughing coworker, so a bit of irony there. Jehovah's tolerate others, do not judge, but try to spread their message. Though, they are capable of cutting people off from their lives and from family if non-believers approach or if someone leaves the church. This was not setting up as a good or empathetic character.

But, I really love the psychology of it all. Much is reveal, whether intended or not. It was going somewhere and should be finished. I think many lessons could still be learned along the way and to conclusion

I would definitely develop those scenes with descriptions and dialogue to get a fuller flavor. I want to know more about the main character's reason for choosing this religion.

Thanks for sharing,

Brian
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Review of Stay  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
I really like this poem as song lyrics with the rhyme and the repeated ending line for each verse, because it had a certain rhythm to it for the most part. I could imagine this being sung, though I would not repeat that chorus, we'll call it, so many times on the end line. It is an opportunity to put two stanzas together in some places to continue a theme, then break for the repeated line, maybe cutting it in two places.

This has the feel of a song because of the desperate desire, the passion to describe and compare true love and its associated feelings. It's profound in its yearning obsession to milk time and spend every possible moment with what is obviously true love on a pedestal. Pretty daunting for the subject, but how we feel inside as poets nonetheless.

Good job,

Brian
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Review of Treasured  Open in new Window.
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Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
HI Mastiff Author Icon,

You know what's fun. Reading your lines from bottom to top. You still get the same story with ending. It shows that there is a natural progression in your lines telling a story. good to read.

Social distancing during these times is producing some new experiences. Glad you could lend something in writing to the current theme of our times. Good luck with the contest entry.

Brian


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Review of TREASURED  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.5)
Dear Chris,

That is a beautiful looking acrostic. It's either inspired or you found a prototype, either way it's a visual gem.

Great choice covering the current pandemic. This poem could be a meme. Treasured as the acrostic theme might be a stretch for me as it relates to our current situation. I'm not treasuring this time. In fact, I'm quite bored. This is definitely history. If we were treasuring our time together, get to know one another again, that I would treasure.

Overall, enjoyed it. Some good take aways from your poem.

Brian
Circumpolar Reviewer
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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Dear glenncard,

I think the premise for this story inspires a lot of the traditional messages about the season that are slowly being lost, as true appreciation of Christmas and more is overtaken by commercialism. Here you have a story that stands somewhere in the middle, acknowledging the need for Saint Nick and acts of giving over receiving.

I appreciated the idea of long wishing to get a wish from Santa through this act of getting close enough to touch the tassel of his hat. I'm not sure I've heard of that, but something tells me it existed and is not an original concept. The idea of how this could be attained was a bit weak for the story structure, wondering if maybe a child visiting a mall Santa would try this, believe it real legend, and not the story here I read about an adult with a personal relationship with Claus that included a round of drinks. I think if the narration was directly toward children, and it might be awkwardly, it would deliver better from an adult perspective. I prefer the idea of a child who set out many years to do this and finally find an opportunity as an adult with a chance run in with Mr. Claus. Needed a better set up.

It was a nice realization that narrator came to, however, listing all the reasons to be thankful and selfless with that wish rather than daring approach the tassel of his hat. The ending was awkward because what he's quoted as saying reads as paraphrasing. Might want to fix to be one or the other. Almost got a feel of the Moore classic with that parting paragraph. Kind of worked.

Good job,

Brian
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Review of 4 Summer Hiaku  Open in new Window.
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Rated: E | (4.5)
Dear ,

I enjoyed the four haikus you linked together in a progression of scenes from summer. I found good use of senses to help a reader connect with the scenes portrayed.

I was troubled by the double use of still in that opening line and wondered if this could be avoided. A writer sometimes makes up their mind about a sentence structure or word choice without realizing how many potential readers will get tripped up, and at the outset is not the best time to experiment with such a choice. I commend you for trying.

I especially appreciated the middle haikus from strawberries to fireflies, scenes that were a pleasure for a reader to consume. They each stand alone as worthy haikus.

That was enjoyable to read and pleased to lend comment,

Brian
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Review of Screaming Kettles  Open in new Window.
Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
I appreciate the story you share here, inspired by a real life incident golf to you.

It was a brief story that set up well. It gave me memories of being on the railroad tracks as a kid/teen and to feel a train nearby. Your writing here doesn't necessarily go into enough detail about that experience feels.

Was it just a locomotive? No way a train could sequentially stop that quick for the driver to get out and yell at them. Though, a yardman could while the train cleared the scene. Train implies cars, but if it was just a locomotive, it explains why they didn't feel train through ground before hearing (my experience) it coming.

It reminds a little of movie/book 'Stand By Me' with the dare by the kids on train bridge. I think you could add more detail to this, lend more to that ending. It's a slice of life piece with at least some rising tension, but no true conflict/resolution.

We were learning something about the main character with the beatings when he was younger and wanting to kill himself. To me it's Kafka's gun, because you introduced it without fully using it. I like to think that there was either irony in lying on those tracks to be initiated with a group versus original yearning of suicide, or was it adrenaline to jolt one into a secured more actualized self? Not fully realized since the beatings by his father are over, or still happening? Not sure, but it would add to tension either way.

So, it left questions for me that were holes in an otherwise intense story with briefly harrowing moment. I say, expand more on this and get a fuller appreciate of scene, play it out. I think more shouting and dialogue. You could milk that tension.

This story could be part of something larger, like a novel about a boy who figures out his family and social life, coming of age story.

Brian
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Review of First Girl  Open in new Window.
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Rated: E | (4.0)
Dear Hyperiongate Author Icon,

I stumbled upon this piece and since it's short and easy to consume, thought I would offer input. I do see opportunities for improvement in this 55 word story that would give more brevity to allow more definition in that opening line to hook a reader. Warning, I can be direct, so I apologize in advance.

The problem with something this short acting as story is the inability to give enough context right away to satisfy a reader about what is happening. So, it was easy to misunderstand what you meant by 'mess.' I thought the literal term. It was too vague and needs better description.

To give you more room for discovery of that line and compacting what happens in the next two sentences. "He stole a quick glance at the source, Julie Robinson. She always sat in the row next to him. 'quick glance' was good, telling. But, does 'always sat' need to be stated? I propose:

"He stole a quick glance at the source, one row over." Is her last name necessary? Her name at all? Now I'd remove 'as' from start of next sentence. And, is he casual, or nervous? Why is he so certain handing her a note will go well for him, since he has to continue sitting next to her in the aftermath? I further propose:
"Class broke for recess. Thomas put a note in Julie's hand that would seal the deal, reading, 'I like you, do you like me?'"

Can I just say that declaration is weak. You have the open and ending to work on. Why is there recess after first period? Suggestion for how it could have read:

The period was ending and Thomas was melting from the heat. He stole a quick glance at the source, one row over. When class broke for recess, he stood in her way. Thomas put the note in Julie Robinson's hand, hoping to seal the deal. It read, "I like you, do you like me?"

That's 53 words. Adjectives are your best bet for additional exposition. Knowing more about the characters like age or something that describes them helps put reader in that story visualizing, relating.

Though, I suspect this was written for contest, it never hurts to have fresh eyes on the process that brought this out and see if there are other avenues to explore when constructing a write that can get to the point and express better to help a story unfold. And really, 55 words? Tough for story telling fulfillment.

Just some thoughts. Just what I saw.

Brian
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Review by Brian K Compton Author IconMail Icon
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Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
This used to be one of my favorite poetry contests back in the day. I followed a link over from another poetry contest, wondering if it was still accepting entries.

What I enjoyed about participating here when it was in its heyday was the title prompts. And looking at what still remains is still as inspiring as it was when I was writing entries.

Hopefully, we'll see this contest return and back in action, though it's going on three years it would seem. I thought these contests got kicked around from member to member to keep them running. This seems like a simple contest to have that would encourage participation on WDC.

What I also liked about it was there wasn't a bunch of rules to trip up entrants. It's unfortunate when technicalities omit people who work hard to produce content for contests and get disqualified. A contest that's fun with no hassles is better than the contest pages with easily misunderstood or missed rules to discourage.

well, here's hoping,

Brian
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