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

The poem "Still Hoping..." presents a vivid portrayal of the changing seasons as a metaphor for the passing of time and the speaker's experiences. The use of nature imagery, such as "the lonely lane", "trees have dropped their leaves", and "snowflake lands in my hand", is effective in setting the tone and mood of the poem.

However, the transition from the third to the fourth stanza is abrupt. The poem shifts from a contemplative reflection on the seasons to a critique of hypocrisy. This sudden change could be smoothed by introducing the theme of human behavior earlier in the poem or by creating a more gradual transition.

The poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme are inconsistent, which can distract from the overall reading experience. For example, the second and third stanzas have a rhyme scheme, while the first and fourth do not. Consistency in the rhyme scheme can enhance the poem's musicality and flow.

Lastly, the poem contains a few typographical errors ("Christens" instead of "Christians", "haterid" instead of "hatred") that should be corrected to maintain the poem's professionalism and readability.

Overall, the poem has a strong thematic core and uses evocative imagery. With some adjustments to the transition, rhyme scheme, and proofreading, it could be even more impactful.

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

A couple of misspellings:
* (1st line, last verse) haterid ==> hatred
* (3rd line, last verse) Christens ==> Christians
Also, consider the following re-write of the last line:
tho' acts of hatred have stained the day.

I find that, although I profess to never underestimate the power of human stupidity or their ability to think only of themselves, I still do have expectations that people are basically good and are trying to do the right thing. I guess I'm "Still Hoping" as well.

I doubt at "your age' your clueless to the world, only wise...and disenchanted by that knowledge. People are not in fact good, naturally, I doubt. My only regreat about your poem is that you separate Christians out to be the flawed. We are all flawed -- that's perhaps the primary claim of Christianity - but lets save that debate for later!. Great POEM! I especially loved the first 2 verses. I was with you there.

This poem gets better every time I read it --- like all good poems. I'm filling in my life. I'm wondering about yours. I love how the entire first phrase is all in (parenthesis) and...the (introduction) although, that isn't the title of the poem. You are just introducing something -- as if you are observing yourself from outside, then you go to the rest of the poem, which is your experience as you. Not sure if that is right, but it sure struck me that way, and I thought that was so cool!

then.. next thought: why is it one last Autum? are you okay? non of my business, but my mind takes me there. That is reinforced when you say "one last ramble ending Autum"....I'm so worried now.

Then...my favorite line..."years gone by and I am lost, not found" ....you broke my heart there. I know what you mean. It says so much. I could write a whole poem about that line. maybe a whole book!

then... a realization of some kind in the last versus .. that the game is hopeless in some ways. we are fighting such forces --human nature itself. the flaws of human culture, societies, who are these people anyway, are they us? who else?

Then... I look back at the title of your poem --- Still Hoping! despite all that...it is really beautiful to me. This is what poetry should do.

My other favorite lines: "at my age it shameful, being clueless to the world" -- that line got me too. I know what you mean... but in fact it's in those statements that prove you're not clueless. Such humility. And to demonstrate it to me in real life --- you just listened to my silly comment, took me seriously instead of arguing, though about what I said and changed the line to be more powerful to more people. Class act!

Also, I'm sorry for what ever has happened to you by that asshole when you were a kid.

Your poem is very powerful to me....I may be taking liberty with the interpretation, but I love it! even now as i end my comment, scrolling back up to make sure I didn't miss what I wanted to say, all I see are more ways that it works and is so good!

Cheers!, Captain

Hi! Sorry for the late reply. Wow, your childhood was incredible by any standards. Thanks for taking the time to share. It’s hard for me to imagine how that kind of abuse would have affected my life. I doubt I would have made it this far with that kind of burden to carry. It’s heartbreaking to imagine a small child enduring that kind of neglect and abuse from those that should be protecting her. I’m so glad your father was at least kind and trying his best to show you love. You show great resilience by being able to think so clearly about it know and making attempts to forgive.
Your experience with Reva, quoting scripture like a deranged person as if it was the only language she knew; and then being punished for just asking legitimate questions about the Bible, and being called the “devils spawn”! OMG…no wonder you have been traumatized by religion. That makes perfect sense.

It makes me realize that a certain percentage of people are always going to be seriously cruel, or at least selfish and narcissistic. With or without religion, they are just going to be present in every human institution, and it’s a shame that so many of them actually use the Church to cover their reprehensible behaviors. I hate that so much, and I’m disgusted that so many Christians in the past have not made better efforts to call out their own supposed followers. I’m so sorry this happened to you.

I was not raised in a particularly religious family, but I do have an Aunt who is very faithful Christian, and she has shown me nothing but love and kindness. So, I got to see someone practice what they believed and that has certainly shaped me to this day and has allowed a space in my heart to really examine religion in a balanced way – considering the good and bad aspects, and just being fascinated by it as sociological phenomenon regardless of its truth claims. The older I get, the more I realize there is something there.

I also think poetry is a great tool to help understand myself and others. I have to write it down – so I can work through what I actually think. I don’t know how anybody can sort things out without writing it down!

I’m glad that you are taking poetic license with your Autum. I had a feeling that was the case. I do that often – even though I’m only 51 I feel like its definitely my Autum….uhg…got to stop that!

I find it interesting that you regret giving Norma the satisfaction of being forgiven. Perhaps it was in fact the best thing? If you had to flip a coin, I'd say that was the best decision. Not because of what it does for her, but maybe because it allows you to take your power back from her. What do I know though!

Anyway, I am enjoying our conversation!
See you at the next one!

Captain