05-28-2017, 05:06 AM
Hey Todd,
I only read the most recent critique, so I apologize if I repeat anything someone else said earlier.
Overall, I like this poem. It uses some nice metaphors throughout and is a strong piece. I'll attempt to critique below:
Nice work,
Richard
I only read the most recent critique, so I apologize if I repeat anything someone else said earlier.
Overall, I like this poem. It uses some nice metaphors throughout and is a strong piece. I'll attempt to critique below:
(09-25-2012, 04:03 AM)Todd Wrote: RevisionMy biggest suggestion would be to re-think your title. I get its meaning, but it just doesn't work for me. The images of black and white movies and old Hollywood don't seem to jive with the f-bomb. However, I feel like I'm just nit-picking with a lot of my points here because this is a strong piece.
I suppose we are like an old movie,
black and white,
without the cold complications -The "cold complications/of color" is an a wonderful image. One would usually imagine color as implying warmth, but you knock that tired idea on its side. As well, I think that the black and white indicates how old the speaker's relationship may be, or feels to be.
of color, reduced to tired tropes
for an unseen audience. -I can't help but wonder who the unseen audience may be. I feel like it's friends and family seeing this relationship in action. I'm sure others might think the audience is society in general or may be even god... This might be a point worth exploring more.
We become the closed bedroom door,
the giggle and glance
over breakfast,
in these intricate steps
to a slow dance
that implies nothing
more than a kiss in the backseat -I find this such a depressing image, but in a good way. This makes me wonder if the relationship is not as developed as the speaker thinks. Was this your intention?
of a Continental, the long drag
on a cigarette, which is still
only a cigarette,
and still fashionable
in the way of old Hollywood— -I love this line. I like it so much that I'm going to make a bold suggestion, which you are more than free to ignore. I think you should consider making this your title.
where these roles are style over subtext,
and the words between us
are captions written on a screen
I can no longer read. -I like this last image. It gives me the impression that something isn't right with the relationship though. May be the speaker is living in black and white, while his/her lover wants to live in color... Am I over thinking this ending?
Nice work,
Richard

