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Feb 04, 2026
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In praise of Hyundai
I (and the missus) currently own...
(or will once the Ally loan paid off)
a 2020 Hyundai Elantra - white,
no matter pennies
needed to be pinched,
and belt buckle cinched
(since we cut down on comestibles)
cause money weighing in wallet
suddenly became ultralight,
which automobile originally posted
on Conicelli Hyundai website
bought in 2021 despite
finances being tight
approximately after said car these
myopic eyes did sight
only preowned available vehicle
by one other person
if memory serves me correctly
but a snap decision made
cause South Korean manufacturer
familiar to me and the wife
since the previous
two automobiles we owned
happened to be Hyundai Sonata
thus choosing a brand
we felt confident about seemed right
and a whim arose
to craft a poem appeared quite
amenable since
the then car
necessitating replacement
plagued with serious plight
no matter before my father
who passed away
(October 7th, 2020)
owned vehicle
he no longer deemed himself
safe driver, and relinquished privilege
without outright
reluctance and deeded
the automobile title
to yours truly (me) no neophyte
cause the aforementioned
trustworthy make and model,
won bonafide laurels from me,
and even if we did not
get gifted familiar car,
(which papa sold
to his only son
while former on his deathbed),
no dark shade of a doubt
this acquisition would be a steal
(even if Punxsutawney Phil
saw his shadow -
as he did Groundhog Day 2026)
our convictions strong -
no if and or might
(this despite glaring check light)
disallowed us from receiving
any trade in value courtesy
Conshohocken Conicelli Hyundai dealer
served adequate horsepower
for this tarnished knight
(in shining armor),
who shied away and accepted scowl
from ancestors whose likeness
populated the storied walls
of our castle keep of refusing
to acceptable patriarchal
obligatory role as a Jacobite,
which name comes from Jacobus,
the Latin word for "James,"
referring to the deposed
Catholic King James II
(and VII of Scotland)
and his descendants,
whom they supported
for the British throne
after Glorious Revolution of 1688,
but instead this poet
of Perkiomen Valley
made a well thought out choice
to become an Israelite
(Biblically, the Israelites
referred to the direct
descendants of Israel,
a view that was reinforced
by Second Temple Judaism)
though rivalry with
descendants of the Hashemite
dared me (for no particular
rhyme nor reason)
to a future drag race
thus with a custom built,
and souped up Hyundai
which model yet to be determined,
hence I email thee asking
what model would be most gravitylike
to win (hands down)
while pressing gas pedal to the floor
despite the temperature degrees
measured in fahrenheit,
would be way below absolute zero.
All joking aside, I seriously
place my bets on Hyundai products
and hoped you enjoyed reading
my lame attempt at poetic harmonics
adieu from matthew scott harris,
who hopes he did not consume
precious time reading
this playful wordy blurb.
About This Poem
Style/Type: Free verse
Review Request Direction:
What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?
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 2 weeks ago
Neopoet AI [2025-04]
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:
This poem presents a conversational and autobiographical narrative that intertwines personal history, family ties, and brand loyalty with a playful tone. The stream-of-consciousness style captures a candid voice, but the poem’s length and density can challenge reader engagement. Here are some points to consider for revision:
1. **Structure and Lineation**: The poem reads as a continuous block of text, which can overwhelm readers. Breaking it into stanzas or sections with clear thematic or narrative shifts would improve readability and pacing. Consider grouping related ideas or episodes together to create natural pauses and emphasis.
2. **Punctuation and Syntax**: The poem largely eschews conventional punctuation, which contributes to its breathless, conversational feel but sometimes causes confusion. Introducing selective punctuation—commas, periods, or line breaks—would help clarify meaning and rhythm without sacrificing voice.
3. **Tone and Voice**: The poem balances humor, personal reflection, and historical asides. While the digressions into Jacobite history and biblical references add an erudite flavor, they feel somewhat disconnected from the central narrative about the Hyundai car. Clarifying their purpose or integrating them more smoothly could strengthen thematic coherence.
4. **Imagery and Metaphor**: The poem uses metaphorical language (“tarnished knight in shining armor,” “castle keep,” “drag race”) that hints at larger symbolic meanings. Expanding on these metaphors or weaving them more consistently throughout the poem could deepen its resonance.
5. **Conciseness and Focus**: Some lines and details (e.g., exact dates, dealer names) may be too specific or extraneous for the poem’s broader themes. Trimming or reworking these could sharpen the poem’s focus and emotional impact.
6. **Ending and Closure**: The closing lines acknowledge the poem’s playful nature and the poet’s hope not to waste the reader’s time. This self-awareness is effective but might be more impactful if preceded by a stronger concluding image or statement that encapsulates the poem’s core message or feeling.
Overall, the poem’s candid voice and unique subject matter offer a solid foundation. Refining its structure, clarity, and thematic unity would enhance its effectiveness and reader engagement.
Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact