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Critical Analysis #2
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b.costen
Member
since 2003-11-02
Posts 107
ontario, CAN

0 posted 2004-10-27 05:38 PM


after apples
i thought if i opened
my sister’s chest
i’d find seeds

its common to find life sprouting
but what i found was a tumour
20 years old and ready for the harvest
that’s the problem with cancer
you have to wait
well, there’s always more chocolate,
and the facts and sadness to follow
a season’s wilt

© Copyright 2004 ben costen - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 2004-11-22 01:22 AM


I'm not around a great deal these days. But even I, in my semi-absence, have noticed something about your writing. When you write lengthy pieces you seem to waffle on a bit (such as 'come back, as the wind comes back).

Then you go and write a shorter piece and often we get a bit of poetry-juice going.

Like this.

About the best thing I've read at pip for weeks (probably cause I haven't read much so don't feel too flattered rotf...)

Seriously, though, this is good b.

Very very good. But then, I really like plain poetry that doesn't rely on device, rhetoric.

I'd look at your comma's in the third to last line and figure a way around the poem without those - given the form of the rest of it.

its in the 5th line needs to be it's.

The last line though - I have a problem with that. That's the one line that starts bending into pure imagery and I don't think it really fits with the rest, and dissolutes the strength of the poem.

Thanks for the read, and the inspiration to reply heh.

K

hush
Senior Member
since 2001-05-27
Posts 1653
Ohio, USA
2 posted 2004-11-29 07:28 PM


I don't mind the last line. I think it works, since seasons are a theme in this poem.

I really like how the first section is very blunt- opening his sisters chest? Instant images of incest or stabbing popped into my head. And upon reading the next part, I got to thinking... is the narrator a doctor?

Cancer is a disconcerting subject to begin with -the idea of a tumor hijacking the body. You did a good job presenting it as such.

b.costen
Member
since 2003-11-02
Posts 107
ontario, CAN
3 posted 2004-11-29 10:22 PM


thanks you guys :)

so what's it going to be then, eh?

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

4 posted 2004-11-30 02:41 PM


Hush

quote:
I really like how the first section is very blunt


which is why I didn't like the last line - thinking it didn't stay true to the overall matter of factness...

K


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