Greetings Joy !

I am currently reviewing as part of the tasks set by the "Game of Thrones" . I especially visited your port to dig your most precious gems then this piece appeared. In this review, I mainly focus on the positives of your piece and I may point some Areas for Improvement if found any. Without much a do, here are the things I noticed after delving deeper into the contents:


"Repeat Performance" takes us on a melancholic journey through a character's revisit of a familiar city, likely New York City. The poem excels in its use of vivid imagery – a "foxy city" with skyscrapers "bonding" to moods, bridges "leaping" over the East River, and the smoky aroma of a pastrami sandwich assaulting the taste buds. These details paint a picture of a bustling metropolis, brimming with life and sensory overload.

However, nostalgia in this poem is a double-edged sword. The speaker seeks comfort in familiar haunts like Roxie's deli and the piers, but the past also brings a deep well of sadness. Phrases like "jumbled feelings" and "a soft center" hint at past hurts, while "barbaric nostalgia" suggests a painful longing that may be better left untouched.

The poem's strength lies in its ability to weave contrasting elements. The city's vibrancy, with its "free-floating moods" and the joyous sounds of an impromptu jazz performance, stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities of "preachers' shrieks" and the speaker's own memories of "acidic deeds" that have left lifelong scars. The deliciousness of a hot pastrami sandwich coexists with the ruthlessness of Wall Street, where people are "recycled" by the "creditor class." This juxtaposition creates a portrait of a city that is both captivating and unforgiving.

The ending of the poem is particularly striking. The speaker contemplates another "betrayal," hinting at a past escape that may have caused pain. The metaphor of a comet "escaping from the sun" evokes a powerful sense of desperation and a yearning to break free from a cycle of negativity. This final image leaves the reader pondering the nature of the speaker's past and the difficult decision they now face. "Repeat Performance" is a thought-provoking exploration of nostalgia, regret, and the ever-present desire to outrun the shadows of the past. Thank you for sharing this. Write on!

Best regards,
Gervic