Destruction of Men

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

This poem draws on H.G. Wells’s "The Time Machine" as its central reference, using the novel’s timeline and themes to meditate on human progress and decline. The structure is consistent, with short lines and a clear rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a rhythmic, almost nursery-rhyme quality that contrasts with its dark subject matter.

The poem’s allusions to specific years and events (“1895,” “802,701”) anchor the reader in both historical and speculative contexts, but the leap from the Victorian era to the distant future is abrupt. This approach mirrors the novel’s own temporal jump but may leave readers unfamiliar with the source material without enough context to fully grasp the implications. The line “hunted folks for food” is a direct reference to the Morlocks and Eloi, but the poem does not explicitly name these groups, which could either be seen as an effective use of allusion or as a missed opportunity for richer imagery.

The language is straightforward, sometimes at the expense of evocative detail. Phrases like “world clean and bright” and “brimming with fright” are general and could be deepened with more specific or sensory imagery. The poem’s tone is somber, but the emotional impact is somewhat muted by the reliance on summary rather than scene or metaphor.

The theme of technological progress leading to unforeseen consequences is present, but the poem could benefit from more exploration of this idea—perhaps by drawing parallels between the eras mentioned or by reflecting on the cyclical nature of destruction and innovation. The poem’s brevity is effective in conveying a sense of inevitability, but expanding on the emotional or philosophical implications might create a more resonant piece.

Overall, the poem successfully references a classic work and encapsulates its central cautionary message, but it could be strengthened by more vivid imagery, deeper engagement with its themes, and a clearer sense of narrative or emotional progression.

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I tried to comment but neo booted me in the rump

Hello, Punky,

I am enjoying this, but it feels like, with such a fantastic theme, there's a lot packed in here a little too closely, almost like a brief summary. There's also a fun line in both the movie and book that stresses the eeriness of the ending "...all the time in the world."

I'll be back!  Thank you!

L

Those last four lines round off the poem nicely! The final line gives both closure and a fun bit of irony. Very nice rhyme, too.

Thank you!

L

I read the poem, it brings conflicting thoughts to mind. What was so specific in 1895? Just thinking! Keep writing!