The Table Next To Mine

To be perfectly honest, I do not often read other peoples work and as a relative novice to writing, I do not feel qualified with any expertise in regard to form or construction. However because poetry is subjective, I obviously have a view in respect of being the reader of your poem. I'm a simple person and for me when I read or listen to something I needs to do several things; hold my attention, be understandable and paint some form of picture in my mind. Your poem delivered all of this, to the extent that I felt as if I was sitting at your table observing them with you. Below I offer my understanding verse by verse of your poem. I don't know if this counts as critique or not as I've never critiqued work before. Verse 1 - Right from the beginning, I had a very clear image of them sitting in the corner, seeking minimal contact or interaction with others. Verse 2 - I could sense his self imposed fight against the world. Verse 3 - The smallest insignificant of things evoked an internal, deep rooted, anger within him which he struggled to fully contain. Verse 4 - Her silence appeared to be the indifference of familiarity to his ways and mood, that she had long since given up on. Verse 5 - This asked questions of why and posing potential answers. Verse 6 - The lack of garnish or extra spice, painted a bland metaphor of where their relationship has reached. I guess in time gone by the food of life served them a richer more exotic vibrant diet. Final Verse - My thoughts on observational subjects, people watching, is that we never know their true story. Comment - for me you have captured a relationship that has run its coarse yet remains, even if in name only. It appears they have had a lifelong test and faltered, too tired to answer the final few questions. With your final line, I was left with the thought that sometimes hearts do not break, they simply drift apart. I very much enjoyed this work and it has opened my eyes that I should read more of other people's work.