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Romance on the Rocks...

Her voice goes out to the ebon sky
The sax is slow and reedy
The patio is old and worn
The hotel, downtown, seedy

Oooohhh baabbyy, love is just a liiiiie
Saxophone's asking the questions
Wondering what went so very wrong
She's missing those lovely sensations

Blue moons are for fools and lovers
The ones who hurt your heart
Salesmen sell themselves to you
Should've known right from the start

I'm so lonely in the night
Saxophone croons a sexy tone
I miss your arms around me
Replies lost in the static phone

The barman brings a drink, a double
Sent by the devil himself
She sees his hungry, greedy eyes
He wants to put her on his shelf

She'll sing a couple songs for him
He'll buy her drinks and then...
It's not a question, of if she will
Only a matter of when

Lightning strikes and the rain sheets down
The patrons run inside
She stands out there in the pouring rain
With nothing left to hide

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Last few words: 
I decided to rework the ending line and take the AI's suggestion of beginning each line in capitalization. Does it make a difference?
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content
Opt-in: Neopoet AI will critique your poem.

Comments

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

Title: Romance on the Rocks

In this poem, the imagery and setting are well-established, creating a vivid picture of a seedy downtown hotel with a worn patio. The use of the saxophone as a recurring motif throughout the poem helps to evoke the atmosphere of a smoky, late-night jazz club. However, there are some areas that could be improved to enhance the overall impact of the poem.

1. Consistency in rhyme scheme: The poem seems to follow an AABB rhyme scheme in the first two stanzas, but this pattern is not maintained throughout the poem. Establishing a consistent rhyme scheme can help create a sense of cohesion and make the poem more enjoyable for readers.

2. Line length and rhythm: The lines in the poem vary in length, which can disrupt the flow and rhythm. Consider revising the lines to create a more consistent rhythm, which will help the poem read more smoothly.

3. Punctuation and capitalization: The poem lacks punctuation in some places, which can make it difficult for readers to follow the intended meaning and phrasing. Adding punctuation where appropriate can help clarify the intended pauses and breaks in the poem. Additionally, some lines begin with lowercase letters, which can be distracting. Consider capitalizing the first letter of each line for consistency.

4. Strengthening the narrative: The poem tells a story of a woman who is lonely and vulnerable, ultimately falling prey to a predatory man. To make this narrative more compelling, consider developing the characters and their motivations more fully. This could be achieved by adding more specific details or exploring the emotions and thoughts of the characters.

By addressing these points, the poem can be refined to create a more engaging and cohesive piece that effectively conveys the intended atmosphere and narrative.

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

I really liked this one. The title is somewhat catchy. Your rhythm and rhyme is typically enjoyable as much of your work, but the theme is much more focused in this one. Sheets of rain is the perfect mood for the ending of this bluesy piece.

However, :) Let's do something with the last line. It seems a little flat to me.

Other than that, Superbly Done!

Thomas

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...so like my lost dreams...the flood

I will look at that last line; I do think it needs something. I always appreciate your visits and your spot-on comments/critique.
~ Geezer.
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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.

author comment

Fantastically penned.
Especially love the reference to the devil, and how the barman tepts her with the drink.

I am pleased that you noticed those lines in particular. ~ Geezer.
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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.

author comment

maybe if you added: (drenched and alone) trying not to hide. or something like it? btw, I really liked this poem, it has meat and potatoes!

*hugs, Cat & eddy

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

your addition to the last line! Thank you! ~ Geez.
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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.

author comment

The bluesy atmosphere, the rain, and the heat remind me of a film. If you're thinking of the same one I am, I'll let you know.

Your poem pulled me into the seedy hotel, the bar with customers and the devil.
I enjoyed it and thought it has a lot of potential to tighten up the scenes with more imagery and metaphor?
Ruby :)

Give and grow - let's raise our verses together. I'm happy to comment on your work and appreciate a comment on mine.

of any film in particular, I just had this image in my head.
I have done a couple of others in the same vein, and I have always been
fascinated with blues singers and female blues singers for sure.
I think it may have something to do with the type of music my mother played
when I was little. She had a great voice and sang along with many of the tunes.

This one was supposed to focus on the singers' mood and not so much on the scenery.
Actually, I thought that the scenery was pretty well taken care of.
Thank you for your read and comments, which I am always glad to receive. ~ 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.

author comment

It made me think of Angel Heart, the atmosphere did it for me. Ruby :)

Give and grow - let's raise our verses together. I'm happy to comment on your work and appreciate a comment on mine.

of any film in particular, I just had this image in my head.
I have done a couple of others in the same vein, and I have always been
fascinated with blues singers and female blues singers for sure.
I think it may have something to do with the type of music my mother played
when I was little. She had a great voice and sang along with many of the tunes.

This one was supposed to focus on the singers' mood and not so much on the scenery.
Actually, I thought that the scenery was pretty well taken care of.
Thank you for your read and comments, which I am always glad to receive. ~ Geez.
Here are a couple of others:
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/magic-blues
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/rainy-nights-forever
.

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.

author comment

This I enjoyed as much as any of your writings Geez. Personally I would not touch it. Alex

I did recognize needing just a little bit more in that last line, so I took the offering from Candlewitch, as it fit perfectly!
Thanks for your read and comments as always, ~ 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.

author comment

It's all been said before me, if ever there was a poem that was a mood? it's this one. I closed my eyes at the end of it and I absorbed. You have inspired me bro! Thank you for the gift.

Applause!!!

higgliest bugs and love x

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats

I'm just happy that I manage to convey a mood that resonates with someone. Thank you for your read and comments. You've always been one of my biggest supporters. To have inspired someone [especially you], means the world to me. I'm still working on this one, because I just can't seem to get the last line right. I thought that I had it with the prompt from Candlewitch
but as much as I like it... I'll get it though. Maybe even this morning. Thanks, my Aussie Sis! Love and higgest bugs, ~ Gee.
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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.

author comment

Great piece, though, let down by the last stanza, (dunno whatja think? maybe do away with it!)

Obi.

To me, it makes no difference at all if each line starts with a capital letter or not, but, if I'm at odds on deciding, I usually employ punctuation and take it from there.
This piece and it's theme deserve some serious and objective consideration. I think you have something here.

Thomas

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...so like my lost dreams...the flood

as always, your critique and comments are appreciated. ~ Geez.
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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.

author comment

Pretty tight bro. Great storytelling too. Definitely a poem that reads itself effortlessly.

This has a very familiar feeling to me. I love the imagery and how the emotions are expressed in a musical atmosphere. Well done.

~RoseBlack~

Hi, Geezer,
I've been checking out / studying your blues poetry - you are the king. I believe this one is my favorite. Beginning with the title, the story carries through as each stanza leans smoothly into the next with the strong lonely feeling of the blues. I can hear (or maybe, feel?) the saxophone so well. The last two lines are wonderful. Wonderful poetry blues.
Thank you!
L

thanks, but I hardly think I am the king! I'm sure that there must be someone out there who can do it as well as I or better.
Maybe you will be the Queen if you give it a go! ~ Geez.
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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.

author comment

some poets have a natural sense for certain styles of poetry, and one of yours seems to be the blues. You seem to "feel" it, and let others feel it through your poems. It's a deep, beautiful style.
Thanks!
L

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