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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>8-31-23<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Critique Group-2<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Valerie’s piece:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is a story of loss, betrayal and ultimately death. I am not absolutely sure who’s story it is but upon rereading, I think it is probably that of Anne Frank. If so, it accurately captures the profound questioning and the emotional anguish of a young girl determined to survive in a precarious and extremely dangerous situation. Her conclusion that people are “good at heart” has always baffled me. For what it is worth, I believe that people aren’t good or bad, it is the choices they make that define the quality of their character. The piece demonstrates the enduring impact of the protagonist’s diary on the poet. It is unfortunately, more applicable to our post insurrection America than ever before. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. Sandra’s piece:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>An acrostic expression of the poet’s profound difficulty navigating a life episode requiring personal adjustment to vast changes. Her first step: “I accept the breaking down, not yet noting reconstruction.” With intense weariness, “marking off days of progress small and slow.” However, there is hope as after much emotional turmoil: “Tears flow, absent, intrusive gatekeepers:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ambulating Halls of polished, dark-hued wood, I<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Train weary eyes on love’s advancing censer,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Inextinguishable . . . inviolable . . .” The poet captures the infinitesimal process of acceptance and growth, subsequent to unexpected, enormous personal loss. A very powerful poem! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Joan’s piece:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A beautiful evocation of an episode of profound youthful transcendence. Perhaps for the first time? I can’t help thinking of my own poem in which I call such experiences “invaluable treasures.” Here we have clear recollection as the impact of this epiphany is not lessoned by time but rather: “One with her name.” Would that they all could be so! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. Leonard’s piece:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>This piece admirably captures the frustration and rage which frequently results from dealing with unnecessarily complex bureaucratic systems in our 21<sup>st</sup> century technological wonder world. I absolutely love this description: “We want to talk to an agent,” we said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>“Do you want to talk to an agent?” the mechanical man asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>“Yes,” I screamed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Then they put us at the beginning of the contact torture chamber again. This is just so accurate! Such experiences can get one to the point of wondering if we are crazy. NO, it is the dam systems. Bob Marley said: “systems, cause all de problems!” I have been in many such situations and applaud the familiarity of this recounting. So, I have to ask, did it ever get fixed?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>