The Last Friday

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The Last Friday

The Last Friday is a poetry editing group. Once a month, we post a poem and then offer feedback to the other poems on the Forum. We're a friendly but honest group. We value each other deeply and desire for every poet to be published or become famous.


4 posters

    Am I overdoing it with detail?

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    dennis20
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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Am I overdoing it with detail?

    Post  dennis20 Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:55 pm

    December

    Barren trees blanketed
    in shawls of white.
    Power lines swag
    under icy limbs.
     
    Windows brightened
    by whitened hedgerow.
    Fireplace snuggled
    against amber embers.
     
    Two buckets of snow
    melt on the hearth
    in candlelight’s
    rhythmic flicker.
     
    “Black Queen.”
    And his eyes raise
    to the voice
    near the window
     
    where her silhouette
    takes him back
    forty years.   Electricity,
    flashing, shadows,
     
    fade in the din
    of melt dripping
    from the eaves.
    Fingers fumble for a card.
    tsukany
    tsukany


    Posts : 924
    Join date : 2011-05-21

    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty What about?

    Post  tsukany Tue Nov 26, 2013 3:49 pm

    Dennis,

    I think you have two poems.  I wonder if the poem's title is "Black Queen" and the rest of the poem follows in the order you've written it (maybe the very last line rests on its own?).  I really like the "Black Queen" poem.  I like it more after ever reading.

    Then you can add a tone word after "December" (e.g. December Waiting/Anticipation...use the following three stanzas as written; use present tense verbs) and you'd have two poems . . . both of which I like better than their combination. Smile
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    dennis20
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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Trying for two poems

    Post  dennis20 Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:42 pm

    Thanks Todd.  I tweaked them just a little.  What do you think?



    December in the Wings

    Barren bowing trees  
    in shawls of white.
    Power lines sag 
    under icy limbs.
     
    Windows bright
    in light of hedgerow.
    Fireplace sparks
     with amber embers.
     
    Two buckets of snow
    melt on the hearth
    in candlelight’s
    rhythmic flicker.






    Black Queen


    “Black Queen.”
    And his eyes raise
    to the voice 
    near the window
     
    where her silhouette
    takes him back
    forty years.   Electricity
    flashing.  Shadows
     
    fade in the din
    of melt dripping
    from the eaves.

    Fingers fumble for a card.
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    Dewell H. Byrd


    Posts : 385
    Join date : 2012-01-05
    Age : 93
    Location : Central Point, OR

    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty BLACK QUEEN... 2nd version

    Post  Dewell H. Byrd Thu Nov 28, 2013 1:00 pm

    Dennis, I think you have it in this second version.  Two poems.  There is a touch of elusivness in both poems.  Maybe rethink the electricity sentence in BLACK QUEEN.  I had some difficulty with that... what does it mean?...  Also, why are we melting snow in two buckets on the hearth?    I especially like the defined space in both poems.  Dewell
    tsukany
    tsukany


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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Can we defend a line or word?

    Post  tsukany Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:26 pm

    Dewell

    I like Electricity because of the dual reference to literal power and figurative relationship.  My two cents...  Smile
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    Don C


    Posts : 42
    Join date : 2013-09-24

    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Dennis

    Post  Don C Thu Nov 28, 2013 3:50 pm

    I agree with Dewell.  There must be a better wrd than electricity flashing.  Are we dealing with fallen wires? How is electricity flashing without fallen wires?

    Two nice poems.

    Don
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    Pat


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    Join date : 2011-09-12

    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Looks like I'm last to look at it. . .

    Post  Pat Thu Nov 28, 2013 9:57 pm

    and you have redone it, so I'm only looking at the edited work. 

    December in the Wings:  I'd drop Barren because they have shawls. . . .  I see the aftermath of a winter storm.  Buckets of snow will be water for flushing toilet?  heated for bathing?  That's what we do in ice storms:  we bring snow and ice into the bathtub and use it for everything except drinking and cooking. . . . 
    May want to make the 3rd line parallel the 1st one:  sagging power lines;  images good and clear

    Black Queen:  Electricity does not fit for me:   how about Lights?  I understand the double meaning.  Just not poetic to me.  I love the last line.   : )  Nice work.
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    Pat


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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Dennis, instead of electricity

    Post  Pat Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:32 pm

    maybe flashes?
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    dennis20
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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Electricity flashing

    Post  dennis20 Sat Nov 30, 2013 2:16 pm

    Thanks to one and all for the feedback.  Especially for the nudge toward two poems.  Electricity flashing referred to forty years ago when the "help" might not have been rec'd as calmly.  (temper--electricity flashing)  and the need for power now in the somewhat dark room.  Without power in the house we need the melting snow for water for 'most things.  I've noticed when the electricity is off we are most prone to either try to turn the lights on or the water.  Funny how that works.
    tsukany
    tsukany


    Posts : 924
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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty Dennis

    Post  tsukany Sat Nov 30, 2013 5:56 pm

    I see positive energy in this poem.  The persona remembers his bride forty years ago when the electricity/relationship was hot.  He gets flustered again as his memory takes him back.  Thanks for the fun.
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    Pat


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    Am I overdoing it with detail? Empty And what a nice surprise. . . .

    Post  Pat Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:13 pm

    you now have two poems instead of one.   Good titles too.  May want it to rest a day or two, but I think you have two good poems here.  : )

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