To the Pathologically Bored American Man
#8
Hi Lizzie, let me give you some feedback on this one. I like the title though you may want to go with man instead of men--it will still read as a universal and sound a bit better in my opinion.

(11-06-2016, 03:11 AM)lizziep Wrote:  Thank god for cell phones:--I like how you bring the cell phone back in later.
you never look around anymore.--Given your title I'd probably reverse line one and two so that you can lead with a "You"
Now you don't need to fire your rifle
out the window of your Firebird
at whatever bunny or chickadee
catches your predatory eye.--Not a bit fan of catches...something less static (races by, runs past, some variation)

You don't need to speed along --Consider setting up your images a bit more. You could play with the idea of throwing rocks and use the gravel roads below to show that their being kicked up from the tires--implying speed.
gravel roads at midnight,--concise tight phrasing. I like the line.
swerving to pick off raccoons
as if the thud under your truck--The firebird has become a truck might be unnecessary. A truck is better for this late night whack a mole game of theirs.
from their busting brains
earns you points in some video game.

You don't need to careen
into a neighbor's cornfield
headlights off, doors open
and slam the pedal to the floor
just to see what happens
[to make something happen].

You don't need to whack --Nice double meaning on the line break.
mailboxes with your baseball bats,
or make up jokes with your dawgs
to throw at the ugly dog on her bike
or pin a pretty chick up against--possibly break this line on backside
the backside of the corner store.

You don't need to dispatch--Not a fan of dispatch
your mom's hatchback into a ditch
on a dare, flipping your best friend
sixteen feet out the passenger window,
breaking his skull open on a tree,
dissolving both your lives at sixteen. --This all feels a bit telly to me. I don't hate the content but it isn't quite coming together for me.  I like dissolving though I don't think it is set up well by the lead up. Right now it feels bolted on. I'd rather see a shift that makes it the obvious payoff line.

You don't seek ecstasy or boast destruction.--don't like this line you could probably just lead with the next line.
Now you sit next to your friends in silence
phones lighting your faces from underneath--gorgeous image
like expressionless paintingsagain you build this very well.
and the world goes on without you--I would consider ending on this line.
as it should have all along.
I hope some of that helps. 

Best,

Todd
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson
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Messages In This Thread
RE: To the Pathologically Bored American Men - by MHenry - 11-06-2016, 08:32 AM
RE: To the Pathologically Bored American Men - by Todd - 11-08-2016, 02:06 AM



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