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ANOTHER ACT

Alone here in the growing dark
I try to let a muse appear
yet the page stays white and stark
the words just refuse to come near.

Instead my mind drifts randomly
to the past, future and even now.
To wooded hollows wild and free.
but words avoid me, still, somehow.

Until....I think of coming fall
and all the others in the past.
The first time I heard a wild goose call
as it led its flock southward at last.

All the deer which just "appeared" it seems
all the rabbits speeding by
all the anxious anticipatory dreams
and how the night before refused to fly.

And there it is
my muse for the night
I smile and grab my cheap Bic pen
then let it touch this clear white page.

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content
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Comments

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

The poem "Another Act" demonstrates a strong understanding of rhythm and rhyme, which contributes to its overall flow and readability. The narrative arc is clear, with the speaker's struggle to find inspiration resolving in the final stanzas. This structure effectively engages the reader and creates a satisfying conclusion.

However, there are areas where the poem could benefit from further refinement. For instance, the line "the words just refuse to come near" could be reworked for clarity. The anthropomorphization of words might be confusing for some readers. Consider a more direct expression of the struggle to find the right words.

The poem also tends to tell rather than show. For example, "all the anxious anticipatory dreams" and "how the night before refused to fly" could be more evocatively described with concrete imagery. Instead of telling the reader about the "anxious anticipatory dreams," show them through vivid, sensory language.

Lastly, the poem could benefit from a more consistent use of metaphor or other poetic devices. The mention of the "cheap Bic pen" in the second last line is a sudden introduction of a specific, mundane detail in a poem that otherwise leans towards the abstract and the natural. If this is a deliberate choice, consider introducing similar elements earlier in the poem to create a more cohesive whole.

Overall, this poem demonstrates a strong foundation in poetic structure and narrative. With further refinement, it could become even more engaging and impactful.

Please send feedback about Neo (our computer generated critique system) to https://www.neopoet.com/contact

Hi, Stan,
Love the day dreaming feel to this. Thinking of those things that we love gives us pause and reason to write poetry. Having read most of your other work, this really feels like a poem to yourself, affirming your true love of your time in nature. I'm wondering - after such wonderful abab rhyme, was it intentional that the final stanza was more like free verse? S2L4 I might be tempted to change to "...but words avoid me still, somehow." I personally really like the reference to the Bic pen - a bit of raw reality gives it character.
Thank you!
L

Glad you dropped by. And yes the change to free verse was done to mimic the change from no muse to having found one

author comment

Very nice!
L

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