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Vintage 1957

Divine Destiny hidden
in the cellar of my bones,
like vintage wine, saved
for a special occasion,

or perhaps, forgotten
under dank moldy memories.
Like crochet cobwebs, sins of failure
cling to the label: Not Good Enough.

My palate familiar with a heavy blend
of disappointment and fear;
the aftertaste bitter on my tongue,
I pretend to be numb.

Objectified by my impoverished identity,
I pour a cheap substitute: Shame.
Because once in the glass,
only I know the cost.

Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing stage: 

Comments

Very well written at first I was taken back thought there was mistakes but maybe that's just me ? Collective demensions to this intricate piece left to the minds eye a really good poem. Thank you for sharing

Mario Vitale

Thanks, Mario!
Could you expound on what you meant by "thought there was mistakes?" Thanks so much for your critique. Really appreciate it. dena

author comment

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thanks for serving us the Vintage Stuff....your profile looks like your wish list...i am sure most of your wishes will be found here - to learn, comment and improve...welcome to Neopoet which is a workshop site and a community of poets...here you will find workshops to refine your craft as also contests in which you would love to participate...

your poem does convey that you are creative ...will look forward to reading more of your poems...

keep posting your poems...read those of others and comment...
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raj (sublime_ocean)

I think it has some good images, language, sounds. It shows you have read poetry and understand the craft. Here's some ideas I'd like to share.
Capping "Divine Destiny" as the opening words immediately leads me to believe this is a religious poem, concerning the divine, the realm of god. But that I do not think is what the poem is about, in the end, it's clearly stated for us: Shame. So I feel the opening words are a distraction.

Just like Baudelaire stated in "to the reader" , he states at the end of the poem it's "boredom" that is his nightmare, his devil, like yours is "shame". It takes him a while to get there, he build up his case slowly. You tell the reader in the poem it is the shame from feeling "not good enough" . These are powerful themes for a poem, and and me need to be developed a bit further in the poem. Why you have this feeling of inadequacy, how did it evolve, this shame? We all have experienced this. It is a powerful statement and confession, but it is also universal. So I think the poem should be longer, with a little more digging into this feeling of not measuring up.

Among some very good lines, and stanzas

My palate familiar with a heavy blend
of disappointment and fear;
the aftertaste bitter on my tongue,
I pretend to be numb.

That's good stuff! reads nice, great sound. I feel this the weakest line is:

"Objectified by my impoverished identity",

It has too many multiple syllables, is too vague and abstract.

Lastly I do not get the title, as Vintage 50's is something I relate to as the style of culture of the time- the music, dress, car design, furniture etc. I didn't sense any nostalgia for it in the poem.

My take. Hope I am helpful.

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

earlier
on mummy
EARTH
here
He is no beginner but a born shiner
too early retirement
2018-1957==61 just ?

Thanks so much. Very helpful. I appreciate your honest, specific feedback!

author comment
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