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Jan 09, 2025
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Psapfo 290
…Late-summer-bride
A rare and cultured jewel
My body’s opposite
The perfect mirror
Of my flesh…
About This Poem
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 - rough draft
Comments
neopoet
6 months 1 week ago
Neopoet AI 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
The poem "Psapfo 290" evokes a sense of beauty and reflection through its imagery and concise language. The use of "Late-summer-bride" sets a specific tone and time frame, creating a vivid setting for the reader. The comparison of the speaker's body to a "rare and cultured jewel" adds a layer of elegance and uniqueness to the description.
The line "My bodies opposite" introduces an interesting concept of duality or contrast within the speaker's own being. This could be further developed to explore internal conflicts or different aspects of the self. The idea of the body as "The perfect mirror" suggests a deep connection between physical form and identity, inviting reflection on self-perception and self-awareness.
The poem concludes with "Of my flesh," emphasizing the physicality and embodiment of the speaker's experiences. This line brings the focus back to the tangible and sensory aspects of existence, grounding the more abstract imagery that precedes it.
Overall, "Psapfo
Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact
Lavender
6 months 1 week ago
Psapfo 290
Hello, John,
Beautiful language and imagery. I can envision her elegance and grace. I would love to know if there are elements here regarding her life - I try to educate myself further, but find nothing on the reference of "late-summer-bride." Those last three lines are so wonderful - they speak not only of flesh, but soul, too. Very lovely.
Thank you,
L
Dalton
6 months 1 week ago
Hi Lavender
Hope it’s not too weird but the “late-summer-bride” was a technical phrase I invented to portray a woman of mature years who is more beautiful than her younger adversaries in love younger women. Though little is known of Sappho’s physical attributes. Socrates referred to her as the “beautiful Sappho” but that was more to do with her essential nature her intellectual beauty as Homer was described as the Poet and herself as the Poetess. In this instance though Sappho was described as being short and dark my description is of a woman who flowers into her beauty with age and maturity also of course a mature woman has learnt to treat a man and relax him which is a fine quality as well as cultivating her inner self. Also women reach sexual peak in their 50s and men 19-20s an absurdity but that’s life. I might employ the word cougar but that’s cliched and denies the other elements that I wish to portray outside of sexual attraction itself which of course is necessary but not the only interest in a woman of course. Thanks for your interest regards John xxx
Lavender
6 months 1 week ago
Hello, John,
That explains so much, and blends with what I've discovered online. There is much depth to Sappho, and I am pretty ignorant of her extensive poetry, especially realizing now how important she was to the art.
Thank you!
L
Dalton
6 months 1 week ago
Hi Lavender
Really there are few complete translations of her poetry and new versions seem to surface from time to time. The best version is by Willis Barnestone I think you’d enjoy him. Though as she was a woman poet writing about a woman’s experience and viewing the world as a woman reviewing for example the concepts of classical language and epics like the Iliad of Homer as a woman and referring to the female gods of the Greek pantheon irregardless of her sexuality she may or may not have been a lesbian, a teacher some have even referred to her as a prostitute though much of this is due to misnomers and the analysis of her by misogynists. Even though Plato centuries later referred to her as the tenth muse he also described her as being short and dark and therefore ugly. much of her work was destroyed by puritans. From the women of her time to Latin classic writers such as Catullus through to modern scholars and poets Sappho has been saluted as a jewel of world literature
Lavender
6 months 1 week ago
HI, John,
All of this helps me understand and value your poetry more. The subject of Psapfo is very engaging, and I can tell you have admired her poetry for some time. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
L
Dalton
6 months 1 week ago
Hi Lavender
It’s part of a Covid project that I’m enjoying as I said they’re all saved to All Poetry though some of the more sensual erotic pieces you may not enjoy. I’ll be posting the more palatable submissions here in the near future. Be well and may you enjoy an enriching inspiration in your life and poetic future
Lavender
6 months 1 week ago
Hello, John,
I share in your sentiments regarding Covid - what would I (and many of us) have done without poetry? I look forward to reading more of your work. Thank you for your tender, kind words, and warmest regards to you.
L
Dalton
6 months 1 week ago
Hi Lavender
My Mummy died last year the worst thing that ever happened in my life poetry and family and friends have been my saviour and of course our loving God
Lavender
6 months 1 week ago
Hello, John,
The loss of our Mothers is deeply felt. It does help to have the love and support of family, friends, and God. And in the mix, poetry is a blessing, too.
L
Dalton
6 months 1 week ago
Hi Lavender
Thanks dear poet
Dalton
6 months ago
Hi Lavender
My Dad looks after me well and I do himself I hope and pray
Love John