{ pathetic.org }
 

A love poem

by Ben Evans

A million men and women talk
so never learned what silence taught

A thousand lives are lived in vain
just staring through the window pane

An hundred bodies go outside
and seek to take and not provide

Some tens of souls will turn within
not play at all; a greater sin

And we alone will find the bliss
that flows intact through Love's true kiss

10/02/2011

Author's Note: Iambic pentameter. Other possible lines; 2. 'So never hear their silent thought' 1. 'A million buy another's dream 2. thinking things are as they seem' I'm thinking of entering the Eric Gregory award, so honest (blunt) criticism on any of my poems will be really appreciated, thanks!

Posted on 10/02/2011
Copyright © 2024 Ben Evans

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Laura Doom on 10/02/11 at 12:41 PM

Strong concept, the inverse progression from universal to individual, and the IP is solid. A few thoughts...
Titles can be instrumental in 'shaping' a reader's approach; 'A Love Poem' might be regarded as an explicit guide to the theme, whereas a similarly relevant, but indeterminate title would allow the reader to explore interpretations without specific preconceptions.
The transition between the lines of that first couplet sounds (to my unqualified ear) somewhat contrived, and I'm not convinced that 'so' is an ideal start to a line anyway. I realize it emphasises the consequential nature of the relationship between those lines (cause and effect), but I'd be inclined to use 'yet', which is less prescriptive (draw the reader in/make him or her do some work :)
Second couplet: nothing technically wrong with this, though it is the most conventional of the piece, almost mundane -- which is, I guess, apposite in matching imagery with ambience.
Third couplet: perhaps avoid the and/and conjunction duet (and/but?). 'An hundred' could be regarded as an anachronistic convention, unless used in a context intended to evoke a 'classical' era of poetry, so I guess it's down to personal preference.
Fourth couplet is good -- simulates enjambment to break the routine without disrupting the rhythm.
Final couplet: my impression of 'flows intact' is one of redundancy, in that 'flows' implies continuity and integrity, so 'intact' is superfluous to the expression. It also contradicts 'flow' in terms of sonics (hard consonants), and nuance ('intact' suggests stasis?).
I hope that doesn't overstep the 'blunt' criterion Ben :>) Just my take on it -- others will inevitably see an entirely different poem :> The vital element is the underlying idea, which is not in dispute here...

Return to the Previous Page
 

pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 1 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online
All works Copyright © 2024 their respective authors. Page Generated In 1 Second(s)