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X Q poet
Junior Member
since 2003-03-25
Posts 47


0 posted 2003-12-21 10:52 AM



Reclining on a bed of nails,
I sleep, but cannot rest
Drawing from my age-old well;
I'm scared you only jest

My pessimistic world-view is
Exactly what I fight
When dealing with the careful smile
That set my heart alight

Outstretched upon my pallet I'm
Preparing to be crushed
By the very entity
My spirit gently brushed

Feeling like a stranger I
Unravel something new
I look towards my future, and
I hope I look on you

http://www.xqpoetry.com <-- poetry, philosophy, journal and discussion

© Copyright 2003 Andreas Chernus - All Rights Reserved
cynicsRus
Senior Member
since 2003-06-06
Posts 591
So Cal So Cool!
1 posted 2003-12-21 02:34 PM


quote:
…a bed of nails…


This is on track to become the most overly used poetic phrase in PIP’s short history. (and I would dare to guess 90% of all the other poetry sites on the web.)A simple “Smart Search” will show you what I mean. It almost makes me wince and I find it difficult to read beyond this line for that reason.

I still don't tire of U2’s version however.

Sid @ www.cynicsRus.com
www.primerhymeetc.com

X Q poet
Junior Member
since 2003-03-25
Posts 47

2 posted 2003-12-22 01:10 PM


Hmm... Don't think I've seen it used before...

I would be happy however if someone would give some more critique other than not liking that one phrase...

http://www.xqpoetry.com <-- poetry, philosophy, journal and discussion

gourdmad
Member
since 2003-12-01
Posts 136
Upper Ohio Valley
3 posted 2003-12-22 04:40 PM


Although I'm new to this site,PIP,
been on others for a while
never seen "bed of nails" elsewhere
thought it is makes me smile

whether it is cliche I doubt
but for herein stipulate
that it may be for someone else
though the proof is not great

sometimes cliche may be employed
certain button pushes
why beat around the detail bush
ambiguity it mushes

:-)



cynicsRus
Senior Member
since 2003-06-06
Posts 591
So Cal So Cool!
4 posted 2003-12-22 08:02 PM


quote:
Hmm... Don't think I've seen it used before...


So you feel this is an original line? I hardly think so.

Back to the “Smart Search”…I came up with 5 prior uses in the last year alone—three others in the prior two years. I’ve seen it numerous times on other sites that I’ve visited as well.

quote:
I would be happy however if someone would give some more critique other than not liking that one phrase...


OK:
In, S1: I’m still calling L1 clichéd.  L4 is forced.

In my view it would make more sense to put S2 before S1 in order to set up the premise.
Breaking the line with “it” causes an abnormal pause. (You have the same problem in S3-L1 and S4-Ls1&3.

In, S2: It makes no sense to me to use “world-view” unless you’re actually trying to expand the subject of the poem. In this case it feels hastily tacked on, to maintain the meter.
Your rhymes sound forced in this stanza as well.

I know you’re attempting a serious poem here, but the lines feel a little too short and monotonous, metrically speaking, to give it an entirely serious feel.

Sid @ www.cynicsRus.com
www.primerhymeetc.com

thinktwice
Member
since 2003-12-23
Posts 125
United States
5 posted 2003-12-23 10:30 AM


not to be harsh. i just felt like i had read the poem somewhere before. can someone back me up there? i just felt it had been said using the very similar verbage. of course, if anyone reads my quote, who am i to say it isn't a masterful piece of writing. it's only my opinion. nothing more.


-Adam

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
   -Finger Eleven

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2003-12-23 11:31 AM




That same poem is found here,
http://www.xqpoetry.com/poem.php?in=84

but with the given name, I will have to ask the inevitable, is the X Q Poet here the same as the XQPoet in the link?

thinktwice
Member
since 2003-12-23
Posts 125
United States
7 posted 2003-12-23 11:41 AM


lol. it didn't mean he copied...i was speaking in the broader sense of what he was saying and the words he chose.
though, at a second look, i like it more. not to say that i didn't before.
And as my quote conveys (i hope), it dosn't matter what i think as long as someone else feels something when they read it.


-Adam


"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
   -Finger Eleven

Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
8 posted 2003-12-23 01:23 PM


How about it XQ? Are you one and the same?


Always Lisa
Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 133

9 posted 2003-12-23 03:07 PM


The mail address on that site is the same one offered here. It's the same person.

Lisa

Always Lisa
Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 133

10 posted 2003-12-23 03:50 PM


Funny how some writes have the mechanics but the poetry can be pretty gosh bang dull or even worse...

Andreas from Norway?

I thought that this poem was sweet as greeting card writing goes Too much cheese makes it so (in my view). Still, this reader feels that you, the author, knows a lot about this art... In reading this poem though, I feel that you, the author, had the beat, but beat out age-old sentiment in the most (pretty gosh dang good) boring way.

I'm not saying that this poem is bad but what I am saying is that I see a poem written by someone that has obtained skill but had trouble finding a more creative voice. I've read some of your other work (2 poems) and feel the same about those. Your work falls short of creative modifier, etc.

The only advice that I have for you, the author is to dig a bit deeper for that creative voice. Last but not least, I've heard the words, "bed of nail" umpteen times in my life in reference to sleep or the way one slept. I recall reading those words used twice in poetry this year alone. Is it clinched? I think that it looks like more a cliche when one factors in the rest of the poem. It would have worked fine if the poem has more balance; more creative thoughts to compliment. I love cliche if used with something more profound

Saying something in a fresh new way is hard indeed. That is one of the things that I tell myself every time I ask myself what makes me and others a poet.

Regards,
Always Lisa

PS. I hope my words don't scare you off. After all, they are just my views and mine alone... You write pretty dang well but it just didn't have that kick that knocked me over in my view.

[This message has been edited by Always Lisa (12-23-2003 06:11 PM).]

X Q poet
Junior Member
since 2003-03-25
Posts 47

11 posted 2003-12-23 05:47 PM


Thanks for all the comments guys!

cynicsRus: I didn't mean to say that it is an original line, I just said that I haven't read it in a poem as I recall...

I do disagree with you a little on the linebreak thing, but thanks for the comments anyway! On the fact that the rhyming is sometimes forced etc. I agree...

Sunshine: Yes, that is my page, and my poetry... That's not a problem is it?

Always Lisa: Yes I am from Norway... Why?

Once again, thanks for all the comments! I appreciate it!

http://www.xqpoetry.com <-- poetry, philosophy, journal and discussion

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