For The New Contrarians

[Charlesjoseph]

Hi Charles. I like it, I like the (I don't know what you call it) declarative tone, sort of like an old heroic couplet (sort of, please don't quiz me ). Perhaps add some complication to it though, maybe a bit of irony or absurdity somewhere. After all, if it were to be taken at face value, some of this advice would be very impractical to live up to. Or rather, I like the sureness of it, but I can't read it without an air of implied uncertainty and failure on the part of the narrator (but perhaps I've very pessimistic). Hope that makes sense!

I would say that you are correct with your air of implied uncertainty and failure comment. Words are easily spoken but in the end it's our actions that display who we really are. Perhaps this is my serenity prayer who knows.
Chazz

I understood this poem as a voiced mission statement by an "older" contrarian to the younger crowd. AKA: what I would like to scream at every scraggly-bearded, corduroy wearing 20'sum on a fixed-gear.

I like it-- it's simplicity. Personally, it made me ache for some word like "resign" near the ending bits. "or resign yourself to silence."

I wanted this precisely BECAUSE the poem is nostalgic in its address of "future" contrarians..... it begs for some "remorse" or "giving up or giving in" or "don't fade out" moment.

The only other hang up was the length of the line including "never" and I don't suggest 'n'er' to writers.... so I wouldn't know what to do about the line.

I liked it. I'd like to drink a beer and read it off in a bar..... that sort of thing. Cheers.

Hey there,
Thanks for your critique, i will use/think over your comments when i decided to edit this.
cheers
Chazz