In the cool,
of canyon breezes
sun shines down,
the wind it teases
insects flying,
round n' round,
above old toad,
who makes no sound
painted turtle falls
from mossy log
while giant swallowtails flutter,
far above
a jay hawk soars,
invokes a native prayer
as he inhales,
damp Missouri air.
Mar 19, 2024
A magical Missouri Spring!
About This Poem
Review Request Direction:
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft
Comments
Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
The poem effectively utilizes vivid imagery and descriptive language to create a picturesque representation of a Missouri Spring. The use of local flora and fauna, such as the damselfly, toad, blue bonnet flowers, aphids, painted turtle, swallowtails, cedar trees, and jay hawk, adds a sense of authenticity and specificity to the setting.
However, the poem could benefit from a more consistent rhythm and meter. The varying line lengths and syllable counts can make the poem feel disjointed and disrupt the flow. For example, the line "damselfly with toad, go round n' round," has a different rhythm compared to the subsequent line "along cricks of reddened clay."
The poem also seems to lack a clear thematic focus. While it does a good job of describing a scene, it could be improved by exploring a specific theme or idea more deeply. For instance, the line "invokes a silent native prayer" suggests a possible theme of spirituality or reverence for nature that could be further developed.
Lastly, the use of the term "telephone line" feels somewhat out of place in the otherwise naturalistic setting. If this is intended to introduce a contrast between nature and human-made structures, it could be made more explicit to enhance the overall meaning of the poem.
Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact
I like...
the theme, and your language use is okay,
but I think that you could use a little trimming of a few lines.
The use of rhyme is somewhat difficult without a good rhythm.
Check your lines for the pauses that occur with natural breathing.
Your vivid scene with the description of wildlife, is very good,
but it is marred by the way it is presented. You should pick a meter and stay with it.
Don't get too hung up on using and, the, and other words to explain the context of the line.
People can make the leap of understanding, if you eliminate these words when they aren't necessary.
Examples:
The damselfly and toad will play,
along the crick of reddened clay
The flowers release a heady spray
from stem and leaf, where ladybugs play.
Here, you could change the flow, by the use of a different word in the first line,
and the elimination of words that don't bring anything to the meaning.
All-in-all, a good poem, but let it shine.
~ Geez.
.
A magical Missouri Spring!
I spent seven years out in the mid west starting when I was eighteen.
I ran and frolicked in the countryside just to see what I could see. Somewhat
of a naturalist, I minored in zoology. I spelunked a tortoise graveyard and
scaled red rock cliffs in natural canyons where the Anadarko Indians once danced and sang.
Geezer
Is this a good revision? Please comment.
Yes...
a good revision. ~ Geez.
.
A Magical Missouri Spring
Hello, Leslie,
Your poetry is becoming so vivid and delightful! I felt the joy and splendor in all of this, but mostly, the reverence with the line, "invokes a silent native prayer." That's exactly how it feels to be out, thoroughly in touch with nature. The stillness in the line is beautiful.
Thank you!
L
Lavender
Thanks for reading. If you can think of a way to make it better please tell me!
Hello, Leslie,
I am one who goes for the feeling and emotion in a poem. I find myself frolicking right along with this. Very freeing and fun! The only suggestion would be to check your commas - there are a few places where they are unnecessary, and a couple places that may need a comma. Other than that, I really enjoyed this!
L