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

The poem "Sink or Swim" presents a vivid narrative of historical witch hunts, effectively using imagery and emotion to engage the reader. However, there are areas where the poem could be improved for clarity and impact.

Firstly, the rhythm of the poem seems inconsistent. The poem appears to be written in a loose iambic tetrameter, but there are lines that do not adhere to this pattern. For example, "Gullible neighbours called for my fate," has five stresses, disrupting the rhythm. Consistency in meter can enhance the overall flow and readability of the poem.

Secondly, the use of language could be more precise. The phrase "army of truth" could be ambiguous. If it's meant to be ironic, considering the witchfinder's "truth" is based on superstition and hearsay, it could be made more explicit. If it's not meant to be ironic, a different phrase might better convey the witchfinder's misguided certainty.

Lastly, the narrative could be more coherent. The poem jumps from the witchfinder's arrival to the narrator's drowning without much transition. Providing more context or details about the events leading up to the drowning could make the narrative more engaging and comprehensible.

In conclusion, while the poem effectively conveys the terror and injustice of witch hunts, improvements in rhythm, language use, and narrative coherence could enhance its impact.

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

Some brought false testimony against women they envied. Some to get her land and possessions. For whatever reasons it was shameful behavior. The sink or swim thing, if you sank you were still murdered !

I float in water I have to use weights to sink. and I am a witch, lol a candle witch! I sometimes get premonitions.

*Happy Yule, Cat

Of the Salem Witch trials and how many men and women were killed senselessly because of fictitious dilusions perpetrated by teenage girls. Cruelty disguised in the name of God and Christianity. Great write. I love how your poems make me think

Nicely done. This raises multiple feelings for me. It begins with my disgust for organized religion: It was originally used as a means to steal the property of another and/or remove them from a place of power. The collateral damage from it took many innocent lives.

After that, I see the similarity to our current politics of innuendo. We never seem to learn.

Poetry that can bring out such strong feelings is what I consider to be good.

I visualize witchhunts and war in this poem! I love the title sink or swim. The one's who swim can tell the truth about the events which might otherwise be falsified by tyrants. This poem made me feel like I was taking a walk back in midevil times. Awesome poem.