Did you mean to cut the first line in two? You have four lines in each verse after that. That said, I might have written this in couplets anyway, if just for the rhyme. There is a lot to like in ths. I like the last stanza, but I would probably drop "any" from the last line. The rhythm doesn't work for me. I also think you mean vain in the punultimate stanza, not vein. For me the 3rd and 4th stanzas are the weakest. In the third, there is something off with the rhythm, or possibly the repeat of over in the 2nd and 4th line. In the 4th stanza, I think true love/is so profound could be stronger. Your stanzas come in pairs, and that line should carry the punch of that pair.
That, in fact, makes me think that in addition to converting to couplets, you might pair the couplets into 4 stanzas instead of 8.
Shatterred mirrors and broken minds,
solace in life is hard to find
like a mirror, your mind reflects,
on future successes and past neglects
It strengthens the meaning and clarifies the structure. For me, that is, and you may have different thoughts entirely. Yes, my reviews should come with a hazard warning. I say what I think, and not what you probably hoped I would say. Of course, you can always take it or leave it.
Posted 1 Month Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
1 Month Ago
Thanks, Anne. Yes, I intended to type vain and not vein. Perhaps, my subconscious had momentarily sl.. read moreThanks, Anne. Yes, I intended to type vain and not vein. Perhaps, my subconscious had momentarily slipped back to my horror writing lol? You have reviewed this piece professionally, and I agree with just about all of your observations and thoughts. When I think through the actual rhythm, I don't always go with how it would rhyme naturally to most readers. Specifically, I linger on some of the words; as if pronounced more slowly or faster than people would tend to say those words in every day life. So, a bit like cheating to myself; in order to make the rhythm feel right. But, that's just a bad habit of mine; sometimes lol. Thanks again.
Did you mean to cut the first line in two? You have four lines in each verse after that. That said, I might have written this in couplets anyway, if just for the rhyme. There is a lot to like in ths. I like the last stanza, but I would probably drop "any" from the last line. The rhythm doesn't work for me. I also think you mean vain in the punultimate stanza, not vein. For me the 3rd and 4th stanzas are the weakest. In the third, there is something off with the rhythm, or possibly the repeat of over in the 2nd and 4th line. In the 4th stanza, I think true love/is so profound could be stronger. Your stanzas come in pairs, and that line should carry the punch of that pair.
That, in fact, makes me think that in addition to converting to couplets, you might pair the couplets into 4 stanzas instead of 8.
Shatterred mirrors and broken minds,
solace in life is hard to find
like a mirror, your mind reflects,
on future successes and past neglects
It strengthens the meaning and clarifies the structure. For me, that is, and you may have different thoughts entirely. Yes, my reviews should come with a hazard warning. I say what I think, and not what you probably hoped I would say. Of course, you can always take it or leave it.
Posted 1 Month Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
1 Month Ago
Thanks, Anne. Yes, I intended to type vain and not vein. Perhaps, my subconscious had momentarily sl.. read moreThanks, Anne. Yes, I intended to type vain and not vein. Perhaps, my subconscious had momentarily slipped back to my horror writing lol? You have reviewed this piece professionally, and I agree with just about all of your observations and thoughts. When I think through the actual rhythm, I don't always go with how it would rhyme naturally to most readers. Specifically, I linger on some of the words; as if pronounced more slowly or faster than people would tend to say those words in every day life. So, a bit like cheating to myself; in order to make the rhythm feel right. But, that's just a bad habit of mine; sometimes lol. Thanks again.
Nice use of rhyme & carrying the mirror metaphor throughout the poem. (= I particularly enjoyed the verse, "like the shiny glass, / and solid frame, / of a mirror built, / in virtue's name" Catchy, deep, beautiful. Nice job. :)
My first name is Julian. I'm a white male, straight, English and 51 years old. My email address is [email protected]. Writing is just an interest to me. My favourite writers include H. P.. more..