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The Point Of No Return

As climate shifts around the world
Have we passed the point of no return?

As hunger seeks its victims
Have we passed the point of no return?

As religions fight to prove they're right
Have we passed the point of no return?

As conservatives and liberals clash
Have we passed the point of no return?

As the rich and poor leave no middle class
Have we passed the point of no return?

As the homeless seek to sleep each night
Have we passed the point of no return?

As violence reigns on every continent
Have we passed the point of no return?

As civility and decency no longer matter
Have we passed the point of no return?

Soon we might know the answers
And wish some lessons we had learned.

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I don't pretend to know the answers, I just know the questions must be asked.
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The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

The poem effectively utilizes repetition to emphasize the theme of reaching a critical juncture in various aspects of society and the environment. However, the use of rhetorical questions in each stanza could benefit from more variety to avoid redundancy.

The poem addresses a wide range of issues, from climate change to socio-economic disparity. While this breadth can be seen as a strength, it also risks diluting the impact of each individual issue. It might be beneficial to narrow the focus or develop each issue more thoroughly.

The final two lines introduce a new idea, suggesting that there may be regret about lessons not learned. This shift in tone and perspective is a bit abrupt. It might be more effective to gradually introduce this idea earlier in the poem or to provide more context for this shift.

The language used in the poem is straightforward and accessible, which makes the poem's themes and concerns easily understandable. However, the poem could benefit from more vivid and specific imagery to create a more immersive and emotional experience for the reader.

Lastly, the poem's rhythm and rhyme could be more consistent to enhance its musicality and flow. For example, the line "As civility and decency no longer matter" is noticeably longer than the other lines, which disrupts the rhythm. Adjusting the syllable count or phrasing could improve the poem's rhythm.

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Hello, William,
A very compassionate poem filled with timely questions. I tend to agree that we know the answers, or at least the direction in which life seems to be heading. But, as a J.R.R. Tolkien fan, and an admirer of an inspiring quote by Samwise Gamgee, "...there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." Hope!
Thank you for this poem that makes me reflect on my own actions.
L

Thank you Lavender. Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. There is lot of good in this world, and it darn sure is worth fighting for. Keep on fighting! - Will

author comment

Very valid questions that I don't think anyone has an answer to. All we can do is what we think is right, and nobody can even agree on that. Alex.

Hi Alex.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, I appreciate it. Sad but true, if we can't agree on the simple things, how can we work towards resolution on the other challenges. Best wishes. - Will

author comment

the questions you ask are on my mind too...I feel that the people that run my country are greedy. they are willing to sacrifice the lower classes needs and wants for their grasping powers. sometimes I feel that the human race internal clocks are set on self-destruct. it makes me feel vulnerable and small, without a voice. I am sorry, I am having a very bad day. maybe I will have a better day tomorrow. your poem is brilliant and asks all the right questions. thank you for posting this.

*hugs, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

Hi Cat.

Unfortunately, we are on the same page. I will always hope that we can be the better us, but each day I question if most people even give a damn. Politically I am fed up with old males dictating what we need to think and do. It's time, in my opinion, for a younger generation of forward thinker to step up and be heard. Hope you tomorrow is fantastic.

author comment

I think your poem, in our moments of silence asks the questions we are asking ourselves. The links between each question occur naturally, cause and effect.
"Have we passed the point of no return?" I think we have in so many ways that as individuals we cannot predict the future as it will always change and because we are human, we tend to look backwards to perceived better times.
Your poem was thought provoking. Ruby :) x

Give and grow - let's raise our verses together. I'm happy to comment on your work and appreciate a comment on mine.

Hi Ruby.

I think your observations are absolutely correct. Because we can not predict the future we do tend to look back at better times. I hope that many of us are asking the questions of ourselves and each other. I hope that we will continue to ask the questions and do our small part to work towards solutions, as impossible as it seems that one small voice can make a difference. Perhaps a collective voice might achieve a more suitable outcome on many of the issues at hand.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. All my best, Will

author comment
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