This week: Sticks and Stones Edited by: b.meridith
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| According to Wikipedia, Poetry (from the Greek word poiesis, "making") is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, literal or surface-level meanings. Thank you for reading this NL. |
Sticks and Stones: Reviewing Poetry as Art
When reviewing poetry, it can be tempting to let your personal preferences guide judgments. However, a thoughtful review should really consider the artistic goals of the poem itself. Some may say that's hard to discern if you do not know the author. That's not entirely true. Instead of asking, “Do I like this?” a more meaningful question is, “What was this poem trying to achieve?” By shifting your perspective, you open yourself up to a deeper appreciation of the author's intention behind the words. By extension, if after reading, you can't figure out what the poem's goal was, well, that says something too. Doesn't it?
What I'm trying to say is, a poem may not align with your tastes personally, but that doesn’t necessarily diminish its artistic value or the effectiveness of its execution. The real challenge in reviewing lies in determining whether the poet successfully conveyed their intended message and emotion to you, the reader. Was there a better or more subtle way to share their idea? Did the imagery, rhythm, and structure properly serve the poem’s purpose? By focusing on specific non-personal questions, we honor the poet’s creative vision and engage more thoughtfully with their work.
Ultimately, reviewing poetry is less about passing judgment and more about engaging in a conversation with the art itself. When we prioritize artistic goals over personal taste, we not only become better readers but also better poets. It helps you to recognize and celebrate a broader spectrum of poetic expression.
 What emotions or thoughts does the poem evoke in me?
 What is the central theme or message of the poem?
 How do the poem’s structure and language contribute to its meaning?
 Are there any literary devices (such as metaphor, simile, imagery) used, and how do they affect my interpretation?
 What is the tone of the poem, and how does it shape my experience?
How does the poem relate to my own life or personal experiences?
What questions or mysteries does the poem leave me with?
How does the poet’s choice of words influence the mood and rhythm?
What historical, cultural, or social context might inform my understanding of the poem?
Does the poem challenge or reinforce my perspectives or beliefs?
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| | | Fracture [E] #2355051 Endurance isn't seamless. || Originally written July 12th, 2025. |
I am the crack
in the vase placed
carefully
on the shelf.
positioned just so,
so no one sees
where I broke.
~ ~
Last year the shadows stretched long—
illness settling like fog over my body and my father's,
each breath a quiet battle,
each day a test of holding on.
~~
| | | Catching Memories [E] #2354590 Life happens so fast you can't keep up or slow it down, so savor each moment. |
Life is full of precious things,
snapshot moments, paper rings.
Grass stain jeans, crayon cards,
homemade ornaments, old postcards.
~~
The six-year-old warns
his little sister of a speeding car,
takes her hand crosses the road.
“with a little care you can go far.”
~~
| | | Time [13+] #1976057 time goes by without rhyme nor reason |
There are moments we would hold fast,
But they slip quickly from our grasp,
Leaving pictures in our minds,
Of precious moments left behind.
~~
| | Afoul [E] #2335304 We often see beauty, but miss what lies beneath... |
Thinking I'd found beauty,
I called the neighbors to this rare find--
no rain for weeks, no grain, corn a forgotten dream:
and now this one wild rose.
~~ |
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Poetry: February 25, 2026 Issue [#13611]
