Like a Walk in the Park
#2
Hi Linda, Let me give you some comments on this one.

Ever since I read "Eyes Fastened with Pins" by Simic, I've had a soft spot for Grim Reaper poems. 

So from the title death is something that just occurs, a common leisurely event.

(10-14-2017, 09:14 AM)Linda Wrote:  I'm the basis for time well spent.--You use well twice. Here and on Line 3. I don't think the repetition helps you. Perhaps a simple substitution like "best" on this line. It would also give you some slight alliteration.
I do my job well, been at it since the beginning.--like the conversational tone and the few moments that explain the internal cosmology. This feels a bit though like the unedited dialogue in fiction. I think it probably needs one cut to remove extraneous words and pare this down to something a little smoother. The conversational tone brought you here, and I think you can keep the tone it's just that some of the words are functioning as a scaffolding and could be pulled away. This is an overall comment and not restricted to this line. As an example here you might say I have I'm in line one, do I need the first phrase here: I do my job well. You could condense: "been at this job since the beginning" Let the reader determine how well the job is done by the actions. That was just an illustration to get you thinking.
If you could see me, first thing you'll notice
is the shine on my tattooed head.--so not a bare skull--interesting. Feels like it may be drawing from something more like Egyptian.
Listen close, hear the chain of my pocket watch clinking-- I love the idea of death carrying a watch. It makes me think that the ticking stops when there's someone who dies. It also gives the sense of the limit of our time on earth, a fixed end. The chain reminds me of more than just the watch chain. I think of the allusion to the chains of ghosts (typical haunting, Jacob Marley, things like that)?
the creaking of leather--black.
No need to carry a pipe in my steel tip boot
cause when my dark feathered wing
brushes your cheek like a butterfly kiss--This was my first stumble. I think about that dumb Butterfly Kisses song from a few years ago. This is a definite bump and cliche. I'd look for a better alternative.
you wont fight, you'll chill--eyes glazed,--Typo (missing an apostrophe on won't) You'll chill sounds very colloquial--maybe too much so. 
your baggage thrown away.
A cold halo will fall around you,--If you're going say this, do you need chill above?
then it happens, you'll feel lost then found,
like an orphan who just found momma,
you might call out to a saint or higher power.
Ain't nothing gonna keep you from your rightful white light.--These lines are an interesting interpretation. I like rightful here as if death is a right, not a privilege.
Ill take anyone, no age requirements for this gig. 
I'm the one who pries you from your tight fitting body,--I like the content of this line.
no hassles or demons to wrestle,
just the glare of unspeakable light--its better than sex--unspeakable light is nice. I might prefer a line break after it to the dash you have, though that's debatable.
and it lasts forever,
Nothing can pull you from your roots,
take you as far and as fast
and on a good day when I'm at my bitchin best
like a heat seeking missile--you'll be gone.--You have a death that adjusts with the times in language. It's an interesting take. (hypen between heat-seeking). 
I hope some of that will be helpful.

Best,

Todd
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson
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Messages In This Thread
Like a Walk in the Park - by Linda - 10-14-2017, 09:14 AM
RE: Like a Walk in the Park - by Todd - 10-14-2017, 01:54 PM
RE: Like a Walk in the Park - by Knot - 10-14-2017, 10:40 PM
RE: Like a Walk in the Park - by Linda - 10-15-2017, 06:02 AM
RE: Like a Walk in the Park - by Knot - 10-16-2017, 09:41 PM
RE: Like a Walk in the Park - by Linda - 10-20-2017, 01:10 AM



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