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This poem is part of the challenge:

04/25 The smell of baking

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A Biscotti

September through December
I will always remember

My Grandmother working so fast
To create all the goodies we had in the past

She poured out the flour and prepared the dough
Slow and steady she would go

The house was fragrant with smell of heavenly cake
Urging us to just sit and wait and not to take

The last to be baked took some time to make
But became our favorite cookies to take

Twice she baked then set them on a tray to cool
We watched carefully while kicking our stool

The smell of anise filled the air
A smell we loved the cookies we share

We tried not to grab a cookie and not be naughty
Hoping to grab a large biscotti.

About This Poem

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: USA Pennsylvania, USA

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neopoet

neopoet

2 months 3 weeks ago

Neopoet AI (Premium) - version 3.0

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

Consider examining the rhyme scheme and rhythm more closely. Currently, the rhyme pairs are straightforward ("December/remember," "fast/past," "dough/go"), which can feel predictable and limit the poem's depth. Experimenting with more varied rhyme or incorporating slant rhyme could add complexity and interest.

The poem relies heavily on telling rather than showing. For instance, lines like "She poured out the flour and prepared the dough / Slow and steady she would go" describe actions but do not vividly evoke imagery or sensory detail. Consider including more specific, sensory-rich descriptions to immerse readers in the baking experience.

The repetition of "smell" in lines such as "The house was fragrant with smell of heavenly cake" and "The smell of anise filled the air" could be revised to avoid redundancy. Explore alternative ways to describe aromas and sensations to enhance reader engagement.

The final couplet introduces the idea of temptation and naughtiness, which is an engaging concept. Consider expanding this tension earlier in the poem to create a stronger narrative arc and emotional resonance.

Overall, clarifying the poem's rhythm, enriching sensory details, and varying word choice could significantly strengthen the piece.

Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact

Alex Tanner

Alex Tanner

2 months 3 weeks ago

FOOD Glorious Food

I love anything that evokes memories and reawakens the taste buds. I think you could prune this quite viciously to make it flow along. As an example you say,
' She baked them twice and set them on a tray to cool
We watched carefully while kicking our stool'

I think
'twice she baked,then set to cool
Open mouthed we watched, kicking our stool.'
Certainly I think you need to get rid of 'and', replace it with a comma.
Alex.

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

2 months 3 weeks ago

Dear Clentin,

Your poem reminded me of my good Gran (dad's mom) who was always baking something! Her kitchen was a treat for all the senses! Thank you!

fondly, Cat

Clentin

Clentin

2 months 3 weeks ago

Thank you Cat, just

Thank you Cat, just remembering childhood events. Biscotti's still are made by us today bring back
More than just the great anise smell.