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Critical Analysis #2
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rOxXbabY391
Member
since 2002-12-14
Posts 71


0 posted 2003-01-18 02:35 PM


Second pick
Second face
Second choice
So second place
For once I want to come out on top
For once I want to win
Just once I'd like to be number one
Especially to him
I'll never be his first pick
I'll never be "the one"
I'll always be that one girl
He liked just for fun

"I don't think I can make it through one more night. 'Cause how do you answer "What's wrong?" ~ when nothing is right."

© Copyright 2003 Emily Calandrelli - All Rights Reserved
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
1 posted 2003-01-27 01:12 PM



Emily,
You have interesting idea at work here. “Second Face” it is a great image and you need to explore this further.

I think that you draw out the idea of being second too much, it becomes a bit repetitive,

“Second pick
Second face
Second choice
So second place”  

At the moment these lines reads a bit more like a list than as poetry. You need to flesh out your ideas a bit more. You could cut half the lines in the poem and still have the same impact. It would help if you gave the reader some indication why you will never be first choice for this guy, why it is so important for you to be his first choice. If you explore these emotions in a bit more detail, make more use of imagery and metaphor (like “second face) you will have a stronger and more emotional poem.

got hips like cinderella must be having a good shame talking sweet about nothing
cookie i think you're tame" The Pixies


hush
Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653
Ohio, USA
2 posted 2003-01-27 08:58 PM


'Second pick
Second face
Second choice
So second place'

I actualy like this set of lines quite a bit... I'm usually not much of a fan of repetition, but it appeals to me here... the word itself, 'second' lends a bit of a staccato pace... a good bulletting effect.

I think it would be neat if you started with this, and then maybe expanded each line in a seperate stanza of its own, and closing with the closing stanza you already have... you could get the elaboration Brian mentioned, while retaining your original idea...

Hope I've helped.

There are no Mr. Smiths in Washington.

Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
3 posted 2003-01-27 11:42 PM


Second pick
Second face
Second choice
So second place

   Nice crisp construction. Do you want to
   make it completely parallel by dropping
   the "So"? Something to think about....

For once I want to come out on top

   "on top" carries a lot of sexual freight,
   so be sure you want that kind of
   implication if you use that particular
   phrase. A girl who wants to be "on top"
   may have the kind of problem you're
   describing, but for different reasons.

For once I want to win
Just once I'd like to be number one
Especially to him
I'll never be his first pick
I'll never be "the one"
I'll always be that one girl
He liked just for fun

   The repetition here makes a nice poetic
   envelope as it echoes off the initial
   phrasing. I'd definitely keep that
   working.

   The last line works well, but it needs to
   be foreshadowed so it can deliver its full
   punch. I think the key to success with
   this poem will be to add an image that
   shows him thinking of you in that way --
   some little detail near the start that
   demonstrates it in an understated way,
   and prepares the reader for the coup de
   grace.
  
   You're off to a good start here. I'll be
   interested to see the finished product.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>

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