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The Blackboard and the Eraser

I saw the blackboard
And wrote the words
Then erased them
With each word I erased
Another useless mindset gone
Vanished!

And finally
The one sentence left
On the blackboard
I AM ENOUGH

That sentence
Burned in my brain
And on my mind
Remains there
Forever

Let it marinate
And absorb all the flavours
Like meat absorbs a sauce or dip
Deep in the pores

Let it remain in my thoughts
At all times
Doing the job
Intended for it

Hear the words
I AM ENOUGH
Said so proudly
And so loudly
And know what it means

About This Poem

Last Few Words: I continue to return to the same experience as a well of my ideas for my poems. This experience was very powerful for me. I use it constantly to inspire myself, to focus on what I need to do to be in the moment and at my optimum. The professional who delivered it to me knew what he was doing and he did it well. He inspires me to write more and more poetry in ways that come from a variety of directions.

Review Request Direction: How was my language use?
How does this theme appeal to you?

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Country/Region: VIC

Favorite Poets: Dorothea McKellar, Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson

More from this author

Comments

neopoet

neopoet

6 months 2 weeks ago

Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

The poem "The Blackboard and the Eraser" presents an intriguing metaphor for self-affirmation and personal growth. The blackboard and eraser serve as symbols for the mind and the process of unlearning harmful beliefs, respectively. The final statement "I AM ENOUGH" is a powerful affirmation that emphasizes the theme of self-acceptance.

However, there are areas where the poem could benefit from refinement. The transition from the metaphorical to the literal in the lines "Like meat absorbs a sauce or dip / Deep in the pores" seems abrupt and somewhat incongruous with the rest of the poem. While the intention to convey the depth of the affirmation's impact is clear, the comparison to marinating meat may not resonate with all readers and could potentially detract from the overall message.

Additionally, the repetition of "I AM ENOUGH" is effective in emphasizing the poem's central theme, but the lines "And know what it means" might benefit from further exploration. The poem could delve deeper into the implications of this affirmation, providing more insight into its significance to the speaker. This could add more depth and complexity to the poem, enhancing its impact on the reader.

Lastly, the poem could benefit from a more consistent rhythm or meter, which would enhance its musicality and make it more engaging to read. Currently, the line lengths and rhythms vary significantly, which can disrupt the flow of the poem. By establishing a more consistent rhythm, the poem could become more cohesive and compelling.

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