03-26-2017, 02:28 AM
(03-16-2017, 10:27 AM)CRNDLSM Wrote: Edit 2Overall, it needs more show and less tell. It's a tough topic to do, love and loss, without sounding cliche. But, you can do it.
I've seen so many things. -- do you need the vagueness of 'things'? Is there anything specific you could substitute with?
I see her face and need to scream.
These vicious dreams will never end - --is the seeing her face and screaming part of a dream? I'd make that clearer if it is, otherwise it makes no sense to lead with 'these' if you're not referring back to something.
I want to say I loved her.
I've seen without relief. -- this line adds little for me. I'd cut it.
Everyday, I trace her memory
in melodies she'll never sing -- I like tracing with melodies
because I couldn't save her. -- I agree with Todd that this steals energy, especially so close to the beginning. This could perhaps work as a closing line.
I heard a little bird crying
so loud it filled the whole Earth.
When it stopped I tossed and turned. -- tossed and turned is a cliche
It seemed absurd that no one else had stirred. -- again, this is my favorite line
Maybe now, if I sing
she can forgive meĀ
for everything I never did. -- good line
Maybe I'll finally
get a full night's sleep. -- condense to "maybe I'll finally sleep"
Maybe I'm breaking or waiting -- where did 'breaking' come from? Waiting to see if it's working makes sense.
to see if it's working, if she hears.
Maybe you wouldn't have said -- all of these maybes is making me want something solid. I don't like the constant repetition.
anything either, though, but know:
being ignored when you need someone
might as well kill you, it's vile,
and feels worse than pitiful.
If she had said something
it wouldn't have ripped us apart. -- what wouldn't have? This line is not adding anything.
We can't get back together,
and there will always be a hole -- hole in the heart is cliche and done to death; I can't empathize with the speaker if I feel like the same thing is being said that's always been said by everybody else who's lost someone, I just tune out.
in my heart.
Cheers, Crundle.
Lizzie

