Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Rat Race

Why the rush?
Why the hassle?
Why the frown?
The discontent

What are you after?
Where are you going?
Is it to a place
You don't want to be?

Is it for money?
Is it success?
Or is it some sort of
Sacrifice?

What are you after?
Where are you going?
And why do you look
So unhappy?

Editing stage: 

Comments

Welcome to Neopoet. I hope that you will avail yourself of all we have to offer, and become engaged in the process of becoming a better poet.

I see that you have not asked for any level of criticism, so I'm going to assume that you want the raw truth.

This poem is not bad for someone who, according to your previous post, is brand new to poetry.
I like the in-your-face brevity, the directness, and the implication that what is seen through observation by the narrator is the exact opposite of how things should really be. That's pretty clever, I think.

My biggest criticism is that your poem is a little monotonous, and a little by rote. When read aloud, it sounds a little contrived, more like a list of things, than the words of someone speaking with emotion to another person. But I think a few adjectives scattered here and there, and some variation of existing words, would change this.

So, that's my criticism. I would very much like to see this developed further, so give it a try, if and when you feel so inclined.
And take a look around the site, when you have the time. We have workshops, mentors, and not a few really good poets here, who can help immeasurably.
Again, welcome to Neopoet.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

Hey... thanks for the comment...not meaning to be rude but it felt like a bollywood movie...long, dramatic and boring...

Kahan

author comment

For me this could be a song lyric. Lyrics are a type of poetry, as are there many types, as any other art- (painting, drawing, etching,lithograph, just different forms) Lyrics are most often direct, and do not have layers of meaning relying o the magic of words. Lyrics do not rely on the tools of the craft of poetry- metaphor, imagery, symbolism; They have music, very often with percussion so there's beat, and there's the art of performance.
You must be true to yourself and write what you have to write. I agree with the above view, and hope you continue to evolve in this craft of poetry.

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

Haha...if there's music to these words it would sound like a jingle...and jingles are annoying

Kahan

author comment

than your rather insulting one to Jim's insightful and useful critique.

You might not like what you hear here. I assure you it will always be meant with the best intentions, with varying degrees of informed response and insight. There is never any imperative to change anything based on critique, though the whole premise of the site is a poetry workshop- we are all here to improve our 'art and sullen craft'.

I very much look forward to your critique given to others.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

(c) Neopoet.com. No copyright is claimed by Neopoet to original member content.