12-01-2014, 01:59 PM
I quite like this piece and think it could be developed nicely. I haven't read any of the critiques so forgive me if any of this is repetitive.
The title is a winner. It makes me want to read the poem, which is the main purpose of titles.
Best,
Todd
The title is a winner. It makes me want to read the poem, which is the main purpose of titles.
(11-26-2014, 07:29 PM)makeshift Wrote: A silver bell hoversI know it may not seem like it but I really think this is a couple of revisions away from being a very solid poem. I think there are some nice flourishes. I'd really like to see you take this one somewhere. I hope some of the comments help.
above the skylight--Evocative opening lines. I like the idea of the moon as a bell. I think you miss an opportunity with the next lines though. Louder in the earth is a vague way of addressing the chime of the bell (moon). I think this is a good opportunity to maybe use synesthesia. Give the light a quality of noise. In any event, engage the senses with something more concrete.
louder in the earth
than my ears.
It sinks,
slowly through the ceiling
like a dime descending
to the ocean floor--Lovely imagery. The skylight above is a good setup to pull this off.
then engulfs the colour
off the off-white walls
washed in my lamp’s vanilla cast--While I like the phrasing especially with the last line here, I'm not sure what this adds to the poem. Why would I simply skip this strophe?
and piece by piece--Something more visual than this shorthand
pulls the whole house
between it's lips.--Great last two line though.
Only me and it remain-- --awkward sounding
a sunless earth
stalked by the moon.--Needs some reworking. More buildup to get to this point.
I feel it's concaves--Its. There needs to be something concave modifies. It can't just sit as concaves (and be effective).
colliding with mine.--Present tense might be better throughout. Take a cue from your title and carry it through.
like two tectonic plates
uncompleting each other,--uncompleting is not a good choice.
a hole inside a hole.--I can live with the final line if the last strophe build up actually takes me there. Currently it isn't doing that.
Best,
Todd
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson
