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The Doina
I finally found my voice.
I heard it in the morning.
It finally came to me.
It began and ended
just at the right point in time.
The sound seemed exactly
as I wanted it to be.
It had a rhyme.
It had a rhythm.
It felt like me.
It was authentic,
at least the way I feel.
The tone is right.
It is not too loud,
and not too soft,
just right.
It does not matter
what the other doina was.
It does not matter
what the following doina is.
My doina
has to reflect what I am feeling.
It should come from the heart.
About This Poem
Last Few Words: Read this and tell me what you think.
Review Request Direction:
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft
Comments
neopoet
2 months 4 weeks ago
Neopoet AI [2025-04]
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:
This poem explores the discovery and affirmation of a personal voice, using the metaphor of a "doina"—a traditional Romanian musical form known for its expressive, often improvisational qualities. The poem’s strength lies in its clear, straightforward language that mirrors the speaker’s journey toward self-expression and authenticity.
The repetition of “It finally…” and “It had…” creates a steady rhythm that reinforces the theme of finding something elusive and meaningful. The poem’s structure, with short lines and simple syntax, supports the sense of clarity and immediacy in the speaker’s experience.
However, the poem could benefit from more vivid imagery or sensory details to deepen the emotional resonance. For example, describing the qualities of the voice or the doina in more concrete terms—its timbre, its movement, the feelings it evokes—could make the poem more immersive. Additionally, the poem’s ending, while thematically consistent, might gain impact by showing rather than telling the connection between the doina and the heart, perhaps through metaphor or a specific moment.
Consider also varying the line lengths or introducing subtle shifts in rhythm to reflect the fluidity and improvisational nature of a doina. This could enhance the poem’s musicality and better embody its subject.
Overall, the poem effectively conveys a personal and intimate moment of artistic self-realization but could be strengthened by more evocative language and dynamic form to fully capture the spirit of the doina.
Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact
Geezer
2 months 4 weeks ago
You know...
I disagree with the A.I. I appreciate the strength of knowing exactly what your tone is; and not having to explain or enforce any predetermined vision of it. ~ Geezer.
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