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Review #4753207
Viewing a review of:
 No Hero of the Mind Open in new Window. [E]
maundering
by inkerod Author Icon
In affiliation with The WDC Angel Army  Open in new Window.
Rated: E | (5.0)
Access:  Public | Hide Review (?)
A review of:
 No Hero of the Mind Open in new Window. (E)
maundering
#2306593 by inkerod Author IconMail Icon

Title Description: maundering

Hello inkerod Author Icon,

Been awhile since I opened this up, prepared to review back in January. Now I'm trying to get adjusted with lower vision to lend feedback on your poem. When I started to consume "No Hero Of The Mind," I was found myself struck by an introspective tone and a poignant exploration of creativity, isolation, and existential longing. Right from the opening lines, "They said he was no genius, / No hero of the mind was he," a somber tone is being set, inviting this reader to contemplate the struggles of an individual grappling with feelings of inadequacy and alienation. Through the evocative imagery and introspective narration, you impressed with how you capture the internal conflict and existential angst experienced by the poem's speaker.

Stylistically, I envision your poem to show a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, drawing this reader into the speaker's inner world. The use of short, declarative sentences and straightforward language enhances the poem's emotional impact, allowing your readership to empathize with this mindful journey of self-discovery and self-doubt. Your approach to the piece mirrors the simplicity and clarity of thought, characteristic of introspective reflection, which created a sense of immediacy that felt authentic.

Thematically, I came to realize your words explore the tension between societal expectations and personal aspirations, particularly within the context of creative expression. This is impactful for me as creative expression loses to the norm, is not value or incentivized but quashed by what's around us. The depicted struggle to reconcile one's own sense of worth with external judgments, highlights the universal desire we may all feel for validation and recognition. Although, hand-tied when told not to seek it. By juxtaposing the speaker's internal turmoil with the fleeting nature of existence, you underscore the urgency of embracing one's passions and pursuing one's dreams. It reminds that this is something preyed upon and easily manipulated when we are divided, alone and vulnerable.

Poetic devices such as metaphor and imagery are employed effectively throughout the poem, enriching for me, and imagine a reader's introspect of need of understanding and emotional engagement. The metaphor of "reaching for that shimmering moon" serves as a powerful symbol of ambition and longing, evoking a sense of aspiration and lonely wonder. The moon is a symbol of the only thing that sees or can absorb these feelings, given that it in night time when more likely to despair. Additionally, the imagery of the "blank page" and the "pen" as vessels for the speaker's emotions underscores the transformative power of artistic expression within our writing as a means of self-discovery and catharsis. It is through this process I find truth, or the closest thing to it.

In terms of suggestions, I usually suggest experimenting with varying a poem's line lengths and stanza structures for visual appeal or breaks that lend to a more natural read or rhythmic flow. I would also lean into words that can add sensory imagery that might further immerse the reader in the speaker's emotional landscape, allowing for a deeper emotional connection. The moon is a great symbol and could further be fleshed out. Or, for that next poem, when you think of images that arrive when connecting to those personal feelings.

Overall, what you have offered is a poignant meditation on the complexities of creativity, identity, and the human condition. Your adept use of language, imagery, and poetic devices makes this poem a compelling look inside what to me seems a universal quest for meaning and purpose with looming existentialism. Thank you for sharing and allowing me to read and react to it.

Sincerely,

Brian

WDC Angel Army Reviewer
Non-Animated Angel Army Signature

As I've said, I have vision problems. So, sorry if anything sounds off, from these stray fingers to lost or unformed thoughts in transition, to overcorrecting grammar and the editing process. It's the ADHD in me that nitpicks at all I write and display.


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