Unearthed

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

The poem explores compelling themes of intrusion, exploitation, and the ethics of historical preservation. The speaker's voice is clear, consistent, and effectively conveys a sense of violation and loss. The imagery of being unearthed and displayed under glass is particularly strong, effectively symbolizing the tension between preservation and exploitation.

However, there are areas where the poem could be strengthened:

1. Consider clarifying the speaker's identity or historical context slightly more. While ambiguity can be powerful, a subtle hint or detail might help ground the reader more firmly in the narrative without sacrificing the poem's universal resonance.

2. The phrase "Death touches me again, its fingers poking me" is vivid, but "poking" feels slightly informal or awkward compared to the poem's overall tone. A more precise or evocative verb could enhance the emotional impact.

3. The lines "Your imagined trophies, and my life done" might benefit from a clearer connection or transition. The phrase "my life done" feels abrupt and could be expanded or rephrased to better integrate with the preceding image.

4. The final stanza effectively conveys a sense of resentment and critique. However, the rhetorical questions ("You call this preservation?") slightly disrupt the poem's otherwise consistent tone. Consider whether a more subtle or indirect approach might better align with the poem's overall style.

Overall, the poem thoughtfully engages with important ethical and emotional questions. With careful attention to word choice, tone consistency, and slight clarification of context, the poem's impact could be further enhanced.

Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact

this piece, it has all the earmarks of a good screen-script, or whatever they call them. Screenplay! that's it. Horror is always in vogue. If you can write a good character... who knows where that can lead? Anyway, you had me hanging onto the bedrails with this story. ~ Geez.
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Haunting and interesting perspective from the exhumed "artifact's" POV - well done RL. Really liked the "obscurity, haven of the unnamed." line - thank you!

Best

of those doing the digging? I think not! Your poem describes an invasion or rape of a life. I see it as a desiccation. food for thought... a good poem with an invitation for thought! thanks for this.

xxx Cat 

There was one episode of the Grimm TV series that sort of dealt with this.  If you've never seen the show, it won't mean much.  The episode title is "Once We Were Gods". It's premise is that a Wesen was mummified in the woged condition. People were trying to dispose of the mummy before anyone could find out about it.  That show, and others like "Young Sherlock Holmes", make me wonder what right we have to disturb the last resing place of those before.

Good poem, raising a valid question.

Steve