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Convection

Heat rising in her cheeks
beneath dewy tears.
The shattered innocence of
a murdered dove.
A child playing the role of an adult.
The young feast upon the mother.
Too soon to start.
Too late to stop.
The cloth is cleansed
yet the stain remains.

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - draft

About the Author

Region, Country: North Carolina, USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Alfred Noyes, T. S. Eliot, Lewis Carroll, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, William Blake, Seamus Heaney, Robert Herrick

More from this author

Comments

Pugilist

Pugilist

10 years 12 months ago

Imagery

You have some good, if disjointed to me, imagery.

And while not every poem has to tell a complete story, it should give us a complete thought and I feel this ends without a direction, meaning I do not know what you mean by it and I am not left wondering, I am left disappointed.

But, as I said, you have some excellent imagery in nearly every line. The exception is:

"like the wing of a dove"

This line I find disjointed and jarring. I am not sure a simile is best there because it weakens your presentation. I would prefer it to be stronger, something like:

"A cataclysm of broken hope."

The last two lines are good and are a natural ending but we need to know why the cloth is cleaned and why the stain remains. Since only you know what your intent is, I will not offer a suggestion, but as few as two more lines, giving us an insight into the conflict, would make this a better read.

Rhiannon1010

Rhiannon1010

10 years 12 months ago

Thanks

That was very helpful criticism. I see what you mean, about the dove line. I agree that a simile isn't the best fit, however I would like to keep the imagery of a broken wing. Maybe a metaphor or a new preceding line would help?

Pugilist

Pugilist

10 years 12 months ago

Definitely, go with what you like

My role, as a reviewer and member offering critique, is to point out areas that succeed and areas I feel could be improved.

Your role, as the poet, is to take the commentary and filter it through your intent and derive modifications that strengthen your work.

Pugilist

Pugilist

10 years 12 months ago

I believe it reads better

I also like that you've added intent without overstating the issue.

We are still left to wonder and speculate but along lines defined by your work rather than just our views.

Well done.

S

scribbler

10 years 12 months ago

Hi

There are some subjects in which what one can imagine is often even worse than what we might tell. This is such. I think your hints about the event are plenty enough and keeps this from being blatant. Hmmm..... do you think dried tears might work better than dewey ones?............stan

Ian.T

Ian.T

10 years 11 months ago

Rhi

Loved this piece in its simplicity, the one main thing that spoilt it for me was the "Wolf" bit which is a blatant cliché, if you could replace this line with one from your own thoughts it would improve your write.
Take care, and lovely to see you back again, Yours Ian.T

Rhiannon1010

Rhiannon1010

10 years 11 months ago

I agree

Looking back, I see you're absolutely right. I've changed it and I feel the new line does a mug better job of carrying the theme, so to speak.

Ian.T

Ian.T

10 years 11 months ago

Rhia

Now this piece has become a very good write and your own words shine as a beacon to other.
Love your poem ref of the cat I have found the original that is written in Gaelic (Irish) in the 9th century:-

Messe [ocus] Pangur bán,
cechtar nathar fria saindán;
bíth a menma-sam fri seilgg,
mu menma céin im saincheirdd

Caraim-se fós, ferr cach clú,
oc mu lebrán léir ingnu;
ní foirmtech frimm Pangur bán,
caraid cesin a maccdán.

Ó ru-biam ­ scél cén scis ­
innar tegdias ar n-oéndis,
táithiunn ­ dichríchide clius ­
ní fris 'tarddam ar n-áthius.

Gnáth-huaraib ar greassaib gal
glenaid luch ina lín-sam;
os me, du-fuit im lín chéin
dliged ndoraid cu n-dronchéill.

Fúachaid-sem fri freaga fál
a rosc a nglése comlán;
fúachimm chéin fri fégi fis
mu rosc réil, cesu imdis.

Fáelid-sem cu n-déne dul,
hi nglen luch ina gérchrub;
hi-tucu cheist n-doraid n-dil,
os mé chene am fáelid.

Cia beimini amin nach ré
ní derban cách a chéle;
mait le cechtar nár a dán
subaigthiud a óenurán.

Hé fesin as choimsid dáu
in muid du-n-gní cach óenláu;
do thabairt doraid du glé
for mumud céin am messe.
This may be something you would love to keep,
Yours Ian.T

Ian.T

Ian.T

10 years 11 months ago

An English Translation of Pengur ban

I & Pangur Ban my cat
'Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

'Tis a merry thing to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit & find
Entertainment to our mind.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye,
Full & fierce & sharp & sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

So in peace our task we ply
Pangur Ban my cat & I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine & he has his.

Yours Ian.T

Rhiannon1010

Rhiannon1010

10 years 11 months ago

hahahah

Thank you very much for your critique, and yes, that is the same Pangur Ban. I've read that before, but forgot where. Thank you so much for finding it for me :)

wesley snow

wesley snow

10 years 11 months ago

Chock full of imagery.

I like your language use, but be careful you don't become too obtuse for us to come along. Poetry is nothing without clarity. I was not confused by this, but you teeter on the edge of the cliff Confusion. On second thought... that's a rather excellent place for a poet to be. On the edge between clarity and confusion.

Esker

Esker

8 years 10 months ago

claret concussion

wes is right....it is an edge....
if poetry was athletic
snow boarder and trick skater
I love writing that dazzles
and is dark
..
I love gamer games..
and when the characters
are in the rain

atmosphere...
tension...
the unknowns

I realize now this
was my childhood
busy as it was
this form...
this taut ease

I never commented
on this
it was all around us
then...early seventy
two
I think society has
evolved..but not
changed...
an oxymoron

anyway....your
writing is intoxicating!

thank U!