[Critique Group 2] sorry--belated, comments on July submissions

[sandrastreeter381 at gmail.com]

Hello, worthy colleagues,
 
I sincerely apologize for delaying so long in getting my written critiques
out; much going on here that is occupying extra mental real estate. Thanks
to all who've sent their August submissions early, thereby reminding me to
send my July thoughts!
 
 
-----Brad: "Feast of the Ancient Ceremony
An Experimental Poetic Nightmare"
As always, vivid imagery making the hour of disaster and people reactions to
it, as well as the ceremonial aspects,  palpable for the reader-truly,
setting up the nightmare! As with all the thriller fiction I gravitate
toward, I like the build from uncertainty to fascinated horror.
 
-----Joan: "Cloudy"
The power of negative rumination to strip away joy. Love the alliterative G
words in successive lines: guessing, gasping, grasping.
In contrast to my first thought: the power of the mind to focus on what is
beautiful, despite the darkness-it is a relieving, glorious overcoming.
 
-----Leonard: "Enigma Bird"
Contrasting with Poe's raven who "quote nevermore", this bird, upon
awakening, makes no answer whatsoever; it leaves the human protagonist, and
the reader, wanting, by its seeming dismissive flight.
 
-----Valerie: "Spirit Twins"
This poem brought the film "Steel Magnolias" to memory: vulnerability mixed
with grit and perseverance, a zest for life; the lacing of deep loss and
resilience-very apt imagery. Also, the mixing of transparency with
protection from pain. I also like the contrast between the singer shaking
her fist and weeping, weeping with silent need. Poignancy is threaded
throughout the piece-you have a knack for capturing that in your depictions.
 
 
 
Looking forward to our 8/31 session,
Sandra
 
Not everything that is faced can be changed.  But nothing can be changed
until it is faced.
(James Baldwin)
 
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