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the poet’s barren tale

They came for the feast of phrases,
gathered ‘round the wordless flame.
Empty cups clinked, unsated,
as the poet shrugged—his muse unspoken.

“There’s no story here,” he muttered,
his mind a drought-struck desert.
And so they sat, grasping shadows,
a poem promised but never served.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: … this little one being in part inspired by the song: “Pub With No Beer.” Hope you enjoy “clink”

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: West Moreton, AUS

Favorite Poets: There is nothing quite as boring as a life completely devoid of shadows.

More from this author

Comments

neopoet

neopoet

3 months 3 weeks ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

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

This poem effectively captures a mood of creative barrenness and the frustration of unmet expectations. The central metaphor of a "wordless flame" and "empty cups" conveys a vivid image of a gathering anticipating nourishment that never arrives, which aligns well with the poem’s theme of poetic drought.

The diction is carefully chosen to evoke desolation—phrases like "drought-struck desert" and "grasping shadows" reinforce the sense of emptiness and longing. The poem’s structure, with its four quatrains and consistent rhyme scheme (ABAB), provides a steady rhythm that contrasts with the thematic barrenness, enhancing the tension between form and content.

One area for further development might be to deepen the emotional resonance by exploring the poet’s internal state more explicitly. For example, expanding on what causes the muse’s silence or how the poet feels about this creative void could add layers of complexity. Additionally, the phrase "a poem promised but never served" is a strong closing line but might gain impact if rephrased to avoid the passive voice, thereby making the ending more immediate and active.

Overall, the poem’s imagery and metaphorical framework are compelling, and with slight elaboration on the poet’s inner experience, it could achieve greater emotional depth.

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

Geezer

Geezer

3 months 3 weeks ago

Wow!...

I was surprised to find that this didn't rhyme!
The words were laid against one another so carefully
that it was surprising to see that there was no rhyme.

Excellent!  ~ Geez.
.

Roscoe Lane

Roscoe Lane

3 months 3 weeks ago

Excellent,

Excellent,  we've all been to the empty cup. But i never thought about writing about it.

                                                                                                      Regards Roscoe.....