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Critical Analysis #2
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shatteredsilver
Member
since 2005-03-31
Posts 63
middle of nowhere

0 posted 2005-04-13 04:45 PM


I turned this in for an english class and now need to revise it for the same class. I am having difficulties changing it, so any suggestions would be very welcome.

Bonfire Night

flicker
flicker

there are spirits in our fire
flicker, flicker
and dancers in the smoke
flicker, flicker
ash snakes weeping
madness reign is keeping
flicker, flicker
as the flames do grow

Listen

Watch the eager hungry
flames grow greater.
Watch the wood
burn hot and bright.
Watch the kin come
hastening, crawling, creeping.
Watch the dreamers
as the dancers sing.
let go

There are spirits in the
wind whipped tresses of our fire,
dancers waltzing
and cavorting in the smoke,
ash snakes weeping fiery tears
for the beauty of your sins,
as the cloaked and hooded
flee the dying embers.

Catkin demon kind
lurking at the edge of eyes,
willow wisp death lanterns
guide lost and wandering souls.
Give away and lose yourself within the
mesmerizing, hypnotizing rhythm music
as the earth tilts, watch the world
move as you drift away.

Grey moth wing whispers
of weathered plucking limbs.
Salvation searching in the air
for circle light and soft notes fluttering.
Sky is diamond pinpricked
with the god’s bone dust remains.
Madness claims it’s reigning tithe
as it stalks unwary in the realm of night.

Snared and captured, bound
truly as those who dwell in cages,
compelled to stay by flickering light
and broken whispered promises.
Watch as your dreams come coursing
harried by your own inner demons.
as the liquid silver disc of the moon
floats to the bright side of nothingness.

Bristled arched cat hisses fury as
the wasted dying flames sink earthward,
spitting lies like honey as they come
to tell you truths you never knew or saw.
Taste their tempting bitter poison and
brew your one true witching potion,
as failing fading inferno chants
it’s last – listen it’s song of glory.

flicker
flicker

there are spirits in our fire
flicker, flicker
and dancers in our smoke
flicker, flicker
ash snakes weeping
madness reign is keeping
flicker, flicker
as the flames do sink


Within the sound of silence...

© Copyright 2005 Katherine White - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2005-04-13 08:42 PM


I am not sure if this is the kind of revision you wanted, the poem is amazing and definately you have posted this in the right place for help. The folks in CA are awesome. I just wanted to read this and then tried to help BTW, Welcome to pip!


Bonfire Night

flicker
flicker
there are spirits in our fire
flicker
flicker
dancers in the smoke
flicker
flicker
ash snakes weeping
madness reign is keeping
flicker
flicker
as the flames do grow

Listen

Watch the eager hungry
flames grow greater
Watch the wood
burn
burn
hot and bright
Watch the kin come
hastening, crawling, creeping
Watch the dreamers
as the dancers sing
let go
just let go

There are spirits in the
wind whipped tresses of our fire,
dancers waltzing
and cavorting in the smoke,
ash snakes weeping fiery tears
for the beauty of your sins,
as the cloaked and hooded
flee the dying embers.

Catkin demon kind
lurking at the edge of eyes,
willow wisp death lanterns
guide lost and wandering souls
Give away and lose yourself within the
mesmerizing, hypnotizing rhythm music
as the earth tilts,
watch the world move
as you drift away.

Grey moth wing whispers
of weathered plucking limbs
Salvation searching in the air
for circle light and soft notes fluttering.
Sky is diamond pinpricked
with the god’s bone dust remains.
Madness claims it’s reigning tithe
as it stalks unwary in the realm of night.

Snared and captured, bound
truly as those who dwell in cages,
compelled to stay by flickering light
within broken whispered promises.
Watch as your dreams come coursing
harried by your own inner demons
as the liquid silver disc of the moon
floats to the bright side of nothingness

Bristled arched cat hisses fury as
the wasted dying flames sink earthward,
spitting lies like honey
as they come to tell you truths
you never knew or saw.
Taste their tempting bitter poison and brew your one true witching potion,
as failing fading inferno chants
it’s last – listen it’s song of glory.

flicker
flicker
there are spirits in our fire
flicker
flicker
dancers in our smoke
flicker
flicker
ash snakes weeping
madness reign is keeping
flicker
flicker
as the flames do sink

netsky
Member
since 2005-03-29
Posts 148
Miami
2 posted 2005-04-13 09:49 PM


Hi Katharine, welcome!


Say, there's a lot to like in the poem. I ask you first: are you committed to keep it as long as it is at present?  It's quite full of metaphor and so many of them!  To what end?  Beautiful abstractions, to be sure.

Let me hear back more from you about your goals for the poem.  As you see, how a poem is taken is quite as individual as is the writer, and the reader.

no worries.. I just have some idea that your instructor may like better a bit shorter and tightly focused fire?  May be!

cheers,
reid

shatteredsilver
Member
since 2005-03-31
Posts 63
middle of nowhere
3 posted 2005-04-14 09:03 AM


SEA – thank you for the compliments! I liked some of the things you changed – esp. the breaking up of the line:
“as the earth tilts,
watch the world move
as you drift away.”

I may use that and even put it different places.

Reid – I would like to keep it about at present length. Almost every poem I have ever written is longish. Why is it so full of metaphors? I don’t suppose I really have a reason, that’s just the pay I like to write.

To tell the truth, I don’t have much I want to change, except for a few rough spots. The problem is with my teacher. We are supposed to revise these writings, but she gave me no comments. When I asked for suggestions from her, she told me “oh, it’s fine, don’t worry about it.” So I have no clue what she wants.

Within the sound of silence...

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
4 posted 2005-04-14 09:17 AM


my personal opinion is that if the teacher didn't specify, then she really can't complain if it isn't what she wanted. After all, you aren't a mind reader! You are very welcome, I liked this very much. I'm glad you liked the break up of those lines, to me- it read much smoother.
netsky
Member
since 2005-03-29
Posts 148
Miami
5 posted 2005-04-14 01:32 PM


I agree now with SEA and with you, yes.  There is no need to critique the poem deeper, then. SEA made nicer breaks for it.

thanks,
reid

shatteredsilver
Member
since 2005-03-31
Posts 63
middle of nowhere
6 posted 2005-04-14 02:02 PM


Once again, thank you to all. I agree, my teacher is not helpful. I'm going to try and talk to another teacher and I may come back with her suggestions. Till then.

Within the sound of silence...

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