Hope Is a Creature Comfort

[Todd]

Hi Jack,

Here are some comments for you:

"the worst of anyone
can be, finally,
an accident of hope." - Anne Sexton

The simple beauty of souls,
the idea of them I mean,
flicker so among the wine.--Absolutely love this image.
As though two lights
are present there, one outside
the green bottles, one trapped--That there are two lights and they are seperate (trapped in a sense like a genie) makes me think of a disconnect between the material and spritual. Minor suggestion: maybe make bottles singular. I can see why it could be plural but making it one interaction that represents more seems better to me (though it's probably just my OCD ).
above the liquor dregs.--dregs is a great word. I was tempted to cut liquor since you already introduced wine but I reconsidered. I like the reminder. The image also makes me think of the idea of creativity found in drink.
They tempt me like a nude woman.--for those that have read you. I may take this to mean they tempt you not at all. I may read this more ironically than if I had written it.

I would believe in dark clearings,
empty deserts, blind seasons,--great phrasing here
repeating themselves
like a washing machine,--not a real fan of this line. I don't think it's necessary (imo) but I could be missing something
a bicycle wheel on the road to stasis...--this though I like this image. I think why I like the bicycle wheel and not the washing machine might be because one is simple and the other is complex machinery. It's like the poem seems to be pointing at philosophical truth and the washing machine to me feels out of place and cumbersome--not sure if that makes any sense at all.
But hope is just as rational
as anger and despair,
the bed more comfy than the floor.--maybe softer instead of more comfy. Though that could just be a style choice.

I think this one works mostly because of it's solid images. It was a good read Jack. Thanks.

Best,

Todd