Book: Shattered Sighs

Get Your Premium Membership

Poetry Forum

home recent topics recent posts search faq

Forum Home » High Critique » Something feels missing with this one

For poets who want unrestricted constructive criticism. This is NOT a vanity workshop. If you do not want your poem seriously critiqued, do not post here. Constructive criticism only. PLEASE Only Post One Poem a Day!!!
5/20/2017 6:09:48 PM

Ekso Ekso
Posts: 1
Hey all, first and foremost I appreciate you taking your time to form an evaluation. Without further ado, the poem which is called "I Swim with Sharks":

What loosens the knot that kept together
hair in a bun from falling asunder? Beats me but
the sea blows wind that sets me at ease,
I dip a toe in the water in reply to the tease,
on the edge, considering what benefit is release
if my one whole piece dissolves in the fluid fleece.

I dive in, more like throw in
my regard for safety sinking to the ocean floor in shreds
while my need for the same into deeper water treads…

I swim with sharks.

I left my caution by the door,
swimsuit and virtues by the shore,
What could I ever gain from this chore?
So the fear calls my name no more.

My compass points the needle without a clue,
so I dance around the teeth that nip the blue
but will rip my muscles so I stay for the stew.

My life that bleeds and feeds the ocean hue
leads the predators to prey, but who is who
when the sharks know I pose a danger, too?


I swim with sharks.

I left my caution by the door,
swimsuit and virtues by the shore,
What the hell do I do this for?
So the fear calls my name no more.

Till then, I answer.


Something feels missing, especially around the end. My intent with the last line is to be a potent, short and sweet one-liner, but I'm not sure if it fell short. In addition, I would appreciate feedback about the other aspects of the poem.
permalink • reply with quote
5/22/2017 4:32:52 AM

Tony Devers
Posts: 7
I think the last line works well. It leaves an absence - what, or who, do you answer - that pulls the reader back into the poem, and thus into the shark infested waters.
The use of rhyme adds emphasis and reinforces the drive of the poem. Perhaps be careful of over doing it though.
As for something being missing - perhaps trust the reader to fill in the gaps?
edited by Tony Devers on 5/22/2017
permalink • reply with quote
5/23/2017 1:21:49 AM

Carole Duet
Posts: 2
I would change the last line to: "Til then, I swim". But, that's just me.

--
Carole Duet
permalink • reply with quote

Forum Home » High Critique » Something feels missing with this one




Powered by AspNetForum 6.6.0.0 © 2006-2010 Jitbit Software