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Neopoem Of The Week June 4th To June 10th 2023 Winner
The last raindrop dries
I water the garden with the old green hose
earthworms only breathe in dampness
the tank is nearly empty
I rake dry veined leaves and find
such treasured things
snails's shell cracked teapot
fan of magpie feathers tied with string
spoon from your house my love
dropped one day
I stole it in my pocket
blue glass blurred to softness from the beach
small piece of coral
else where a dingo howls
howls on the south wind
and on my weary face
the last raindrop dries
the last
raindrop
dries
About This Poem
Last Few Words: written in memory of the start of the 2020 fires which devastated my property and so many others... the waiting of that time
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 years ago
Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
Title: The last raindrop dries
In this poem, the imagery is vivid and evocative, effectively capturing the essence of a dry, parched environment. The use of concrete details, such as the "old green hose," "cracked teapot," and "fan of magpie feathers," grounds the poem in a specific setting and adds texture to the narrative.
The poem's structure is mostly free verse, with varying line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. This choice complements the poem's theme of a parched environment, as the irregular structure mirrors the unpredictable nature of drought and the longing for rain.
One aspect that could be improved is the clarity of the poem's narrative. While the poem effectively conveys the atmosphere of a dry environment, the connection between the various objects mentioned and the overall theme could be strengthened. For example, the significance of the "spoon from your house" and the "blue glass blurred to softness" could be made clearer to help the reader understand their role in the poem.
Additionally, the poem could benefit from a more consistent use of punctuation. In some instances, punctuation is used to separate ideas or provide a pause, such as "the tank is nearly empty" and "else where a dingo howls." However, in other instances, punctuation is absent, which can make the poem feel disjointed. Consistent use of punctuation would help the reader follow the poem's narrative more easily.
Lastly, the poem's final lines, "the last / raindrop / dries," effectively convey a sense of finality and loss. However, the repetition of "the last raindrop dries" could be restructured to create a stronger impact. For instance, consider using a line break or enjambment to emphasize the word "dries" and create a more poignant ending.
Overall, this poem effectively uses imagery and a free verse structure to convey the theme of a parched environment. By addressing the clarity of the narrative, punctuation consistency, and the impact of the final lines, the poem could be further strengthened.
Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact
Lavender
2 years ago
The Last Raindrop Dries
Hello, Jenifer,
So sorry that you experienced this. Your title, language, and tone reflect the unthinkable devastation. I kinda agree with AI regarding the punctuation, there is some confusion without it. But I also understand and feel the dispersed thought process while taking in such a scene. The repetition of the final line lends to the visual of the parched landscape. Nice use of many of the senses bringing the reader into your poem.
Thank you,
L
Jenifer James
2 years ago
Thank you, Lavender. I really
Thank you, Lavender. I really appreciate your comments.
I find punctuation often annoying and distracting but I have read this poem aloud to people and then it feels right. However it something I need to stay aware of: otherwise poetry can become a little 'too clever', maybe?
I so look forward to catching up with your poetry, too!
Warmly,
Jenifer
scribbler
2 years ago
Hmmmm....
Hmmmmmm......Don't I sound thoughtful ? lol. For some reason I think the rain drops are not real rain
Jenifer James
2 years ago
Well, yes and no, I suppose..
Well, yes and no, I suppose...
the event was real, clearing and cleaning before enormous fires...
the last rain drop felt real as none of us were sure if it would rain again, or when...
yes, there were tears...
and when rain, proper rain came, the profound beauty and calm of standing in 'real' rain!
That fabulous, gorgeous, cold stuff...
Geezer
2 years ago
I think that the title is
I think that the title is good and makes the connection
at the very beginning, when the line, "the tank is nearly empty"
comes about. Right away, you get the sense that the water is precious and scarce.
I have raked leaves and found little treasures that mean something to me, and maybe no one else.
Here, I do agree with the AI that perhaps a little bit more punctuation might help,
as I had to read some lines twice to make sure that I hadn't missed a word or connection.
I'm not sure about the language of Aussieland, but I would push together the [else where]
without a space between.
The minimalist poet in me has accepted the [almost fragmented] lines, and I would say that
the last words are repeated as an almost prayer, or maybe resignation to the eventual drying up of the garden.
I look forward to seeing more of your work soon. ~ Geezer.
.
Jenifer James
2 years ago
Thanks so much, Geezer.
Thanks so much, Geezer.
From such a poet as you are, this means a lot. You are totally right about the spelling of 'elsewhere', it was not meant to be separated - my error.
I will take on board the comments about punctuation, too.
Warmly,
Jenifer
Ruby Lord
2 years ago
Congratulations on winning
Congratulations on winning poem of the week. Well done.
I enjoyed reading your poem. The images you created were familiar and I felt right at home in your words. Ruby :)
Jenifer James
2 years ago
Thank you so much, Ruby - I
Thank you so much, Ruby - I look forward to writing better and more.
It's interesting writing for an audience, isn't it?
Seren
2 years ago
Dear Jenifer
First off I want to congratulate you on poem of the week well done.
I am a little bit surprised no one has mentioned "Else where"? is one word not two lol
Like you I have lived through the droughts and wondered if the rains would ever come again, when we were buying water for the cattle just to keep them alive, and at one point there was a truck brought in with donated water for our community. Those were tough days, then the last two years I was wondering if it would ever stop? both times being flooded out and wondering if this was the next great flood lol. Neither time's are good but we always seen to have one extreme or another.
Well done I really love this poem!!
It's so good to have you back at Neopoet
hugs
Seren/Jayne x