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This poem is part of the contest:

08/25 Bitter Fruit

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Hurtful Actions

Words uttered with intent to inflict pain
Are often prepared by hateful persons
Seeking to maintain their powerful reign

Wow, I would like to see them drown
To be hurt and really feel worthless
Not to just endure a useless frown

Revenge fills our thoughts when hurt
An action that usually captures our mind
Grabs our heart and causes us to be curt

Through prayer and sincere regret
We could reclaim a comfortable state
And accept a bitter sweet resolve to forget

About This Poem

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: USA Pennsylvania, USA

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neopoet

neopoet

1 month 2 weeks ago

Neopoet AI (premium) [2025-04]

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

The poem explores the cycle of hurtful actions, revenge, and the possibility of forgiveness or letting go. The structure is composed of four tercets and a closing tercet with an extra line, giving the poem a slightly uneven visual shape. The rhyme scheme is inconsistent: the first stanza uses an ABA pattern, the second and third stanzas are unrhymed, and the final stanza attempts slant rhyme (“regret”/“state”/“forget”), which could be made more consistent for cohesion.

Thematically, the poem moves from the infliction of pain to the desire for revenge, and finally to the idea of healing through prayer and regret. The transition from anger (“Wow, I would like to see them drown”) to reflection is abrupt, and the use of “Wow” introduces a conversational tone that is at odds with the otherwise formal diction. The phrase “see them drown” is jarring and could benefit from more nuanced imagery to convey the intensity of the speaker’s feelings without resorting to literal violence.

The poem’s language is often abstract (“powerful reign,” “comfortable state,” “bitter sweet resolve”), which can make the emotional stakes feel generalized rather than specific. Concrete imagery or more detailed description of the emotional experience could help the reader connect more deeply. The line “Grabs our heart and twists our spine” is more visceral and effective, suggesting a way to develop the poem’s emotional texture.

The final stanza introduces the possibility of healing but the phrase “an accept a bitter sweet resolve to forget” contains a grammatical error (“an” should be “and”), which disrupts the flow. The idea of “bitter sweet resolve to forget” is interesting but could be clarified—does forgetting equate to forgiveness, or is it a form of denial?

Overall, the poem would benefit from consistent rhyme and meter, more concrete imagery, and a smoother progression between emotional states. Clarifying the speaker’s journey from hurt to healing, and refining the language for precision, could strengthen the impact.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact

Leslie

Leslie

1 month ago

Clentin

An excellent turn from anger to acceptance of reality and truth. Great job!