I have within my small abode
A collection of books,
A library,
A retreat from the daily life I lead.
The books that I read leave a vision in me
Of places now far, far away.
If I could paint, a picture I'd leave
Of places I've been to and dwelt.
England, Russia, Germany, France,
The words, they draw me in
To places I have never been,
But books have drawn me in.
Am thankful for the ones who write
Both now and in the past.
And teach me things I do not know
My knowledge now increased.
Books are a window for the mind
Just open and see what is about.
A garden, field, a cottage fair
And people gathered there.
Again I thank the authors all
Who bring this all to me.
I'm the one who's better off,
Again I thank you all.
Glen Wasson
December 25, 2023
Comments
Neopoet AI 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
The poem "Books--Windows To Life" is a clear homage to literature and its power to transport readers to different places and times. The theme is well-established and consistent throughout the piece.
The structure of the poem is fairly consistent, with a regular rhythm and rhyme scheme. However, the rhythm is disrupted in the third stanza, where the line "But books have drawn me in" is noticeably shorter than the others. This could be adjusted to maintain the rhythm.
The poem could benefit from more specific imagery. While the current imagery is effective in conveying the theme, it is quite general and could be made more vivid. For instance, instead of simply stating "England, Russia, Germany, France," the poem could describe specific aspects of these places that the speaker has experienced through books.
The repetition of gratitude towards authors in the last two stanzas is a bit redundant. It might be more effective to express this sentiment once, but in a more impactful way.
Lastly, the poem could also benefit from a more varied vocabulary. Words like "places," "books," and "thank" are repeated multiple times, which can make the poem feel repetitive. Using synonyms or finding other ways to express these ideas could add more depth and interest to the poem.
Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact
I can relate
Yes I can relate to this. I love books, some wonderful writings from Philosophy to filth. While Al does make some valid points I, personally. prefer the way you have kept things simple. There is enough pretentious bilge written as it is. Very enjoyable. Alex