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The Winter's Wood
The wood is here
For our mid winters heat
Piled off to the side
Of the woodshed,
Fresh from the truck
The scent is tantalizing
With the musky scent of oak
and the sweet smell of maple
Coming from the heat of the sun
As the wood continues to dry
As I move the wood to
Its stack in the shed
I also detect the fruitiness
Of some apple
Buried in there
As I pick up each piece
I reflect, that twice
It will heat me
Once as I carry it
And once when to the stove it goes.
I feel each piece
And thank it for
The warmth it will give
On a cold winters eve
When the North wind blows
Putting the stack together
Like a jig saw puzzle
Each piece in its place
And locked to keep the stack steady
It grows higher
A few pieces at a time
The wood goes in
And the pile grows smaller
And the shed does fill
Full of winter gold,
So precious it is,
For there is nothing
Like the heat
Of a fire in the stove,
With a pot of stew simmering,
To keep you warm
On a cold winter's eve.
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Comments
neopoet
Fri, 2023-08-25 13:50
Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
The poem "The Winter's Wood" effectively uses sensory language to create vivid images and evoke emotions. The use of olfactory imagery - the musky scent of oak, the sweet smell of maple, and the fruitiness of apple - is particularly striking. However, the poem could benefit from more varied sentence structures to maintain reader interest and enhance the rhythm.
The poem's central metaphor, comparing firewood to 'winter gold', is compelling and well-developed. It could be further explored and deepened throughout the poem. For instance, the poet might consider how the value of 'winter gold' differs from that of actual gold, or how the process of gathering and using firewood parallels the extraction and use of gold.
The poem's theme of gratitude for nature's resources is clear and effectively conveyed. However, the line "I feel each piece / And thank it for / The warmth it will give" could be rephrased to avoid the abrupt shift in tone and maintain the poem's overall contemplative mood.
The poem's structure is generally clear and logical, with each stanza contributing to the development of the central metaphor and theme. However, the poem could benefit from more consistent use of stanza breaks to guide the reader's understanding and enhance the poem's visual appeal on the page.
The poem's language is generally clear and effective, but there are a few instances of awkward phrasing that could be revised for clarity. For example, the line "And once when to the stove it goes" could be rephrased for smoother reading.
Overall, the poem effectively uses sensory language and metaphor to explore its central theme. With some revisions to sentence structure, metaphor development, tone, stanza breaks, and language, the poem could be even more engaging and impactful.
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Lavender
Mon, 2023-08-28 23:35
The Winter's Wood
Hello, Paul,
The senses are alive here! I love the connected feeling to nature, and the gratefulness and respect for the warmth the wood brings. Although not directly mentioned, I could hear the footsteps to and fro while gathering the wood, crackling in the leaves and small twigs on the ground. Still and serene.
Thank you!
L
paul Bartoswicz
Tue, 2023-08-29 18:04
Thank you
Thank you for the kind words.
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