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The Devil's Playpen

This World
The devil’s playpen,
Enduring it without
pressing “Undo”
is a milestone—

Pain,
a step on a ladder
that stretches
ever higher.

Jumping off
seems easy,
but why not
embrace the climb?

We are not
pain’s jesters;
we were built
to be crowned
as kings and queens.

Some nights,
doubt whispers,
“You are weak.”
But doubt
is merely a child
throwing a tantrum.

Each breath
bruises the devil,
and a simple smile
makes him sick.
When you believe,
his crown
becomes shackles—
and he,
your royal subject.

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 "The Devil's Playpen" presents a compelling exploration of pain, resilience, and personal power. The metaphorical language used throughout the poem effectively conveys the struggle of the human condition. However, there are areas where the poem could be improved.

The poem's structure is generally clear, but the flow could be enhanced. The transition between the first and second stanzas is abrupt. The poem moves from a broad, philosophical statement about the world to a more specific metaphor about pain. To improve the flow, consider introducing the concept of pain more gradually or providing a bridge between these two ideas.

The metaphor of pain as a ladder is a strong image, but it could be developed further. The poem could benefit from more specific imagery or examples that illustrate this metaphor. This would make the concept more tangible and relatable to the reader.

The final stanza introduces a new metaphor, with doubt personified as a child throwing a tantrum. This is an interesting idea, but it feels disconnected from the rest of the poem. Consider revising this section to more closely align with the overall theme and imagery of the poem.

Lastly, the poem could benefit from a more consistent use of punctuation. The use of punctuation in poetry can significantly impact the rhythm and pacing. In this poem, the punctuation is somewhat inconsistent, which can disrupt the flow. Consider reviewing the poem with a focus on punctuation to ensure it enhances rather than detracts from the overall rhythm.

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fly here; ladders and climbing.
Favorite lines -

Some nights,
doubt whispers,
“You are weak.”
But doubt
is merely a child
throwing a tantrum.

Great metaphors,
~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

For your words

author comment

You have amassed great wisdom. I know that it is true from the words written down. It is all so true and engaging, but hard to pull off and endure down the line. I like the words "embrace the climb"

All of God's children singing, holding hands in the rain!

For your words

author comment
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