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Things Change

I remember when I was young
and had so many years ahead.
Things change.

I remember when I got my first job
and fifty cents an hour seemed enough.
Things change.

I remember the war in Southeast Asia,
hoping this might be our last.
Things change.

I remember starting a career,
wanting it would last forever.
Things change.

I remember buying our first home
when one bedroom was all we needed.
Things change.

I remember thinking life was perfect,
as there were no obstacles ahead.
Things change.

I remember falling in love,
knowing it would last forever.
Some things never change!

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Comments

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:

This poem effectively employs repetition to underscore its central theme, which is the constant evolution of life circumstances. The repeated phrase "Things change" acts as a refrain, providing a rhythmic structure and a sense of continuity throughout the piece. However, the poem could benefit from more varied and vivid imagery to evoke the specific moments of change.

The final line, "Some things never change," provides a twist that disrupts the established pattern. This is an effective technique for drawing attention to the line and its sentiment. However, the impact of this line might be enhanced if the preceding stanzas more clearly contrasted transient and enduring aspects of life.

The poem's language is straightforward, which makes it accessible to a broad audience. However, the use of more nuanced or unexpected word choices could add depth and interest to the piece.

The poem's structure is consistent, with each stanza composed of three lines. This regularity supports the theme of change by providing a stable framework within which the changes occur. However, varying the stanza length or line length could visually represent the concept of change and add another layer of meaning to the poem.

Overall, the poem effectively communicates its theme of change, but could be enhanced by incorporating more vivid imagery, nuanced language, and varied structure.

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Hi Will, your poem flows well and I loved the intentional repetition within the lines. It's very effective in this instance.

The 4th verse/stanza doesn't really add much to the poem and has some unnecessary repetition with the final verse? It might work better if you cut the 4th stanza or use another familiar setting?

I remember starting a career
and wishing it would last forever.
Things change.

I remember falling in love
and knowing it it would last forever.
Some things never change.

This is the only thing I found.
It's a lovely poem with a sense of calm and a natural flow. I felt as if I had read your life story here. Well done, Ruby :) xx

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

Hello Ruby.

Thank you for reading and for your suggestions. I have edited the 4th stanza and I hope it works better. As always, I appreciate your suggestions as they are most helpful. Best wishes. - Will

author comment

Hi Will, thank you for acknowledging my comment, it is appreciated.
Your line: wanting it would last forever.
I think you should change it: wanting it to last forever.
Great read, really good, Ruby :) xx

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

second verse, second line: and fifty cents and hour seemed enough (an hour)) remove the "d" from the second (and)

verse four, second line: (and) one bedroom was all we needed. may I suggest that you substitute "and" for (when)one bedroom was all we needed. It feels smoother and reads well and avoids another filler word. we say "and" way too much at least I know that I do!

In this verse:

I remember thinking life was perfect add a comma after the word (perfect)
and there were no obstacles ahead. remove (and) substitute "as" or leave it off completely
and this "and" is unnecessary
Things change.

the last verse is my favorite, as it is the heart and soul of the poem:

I remember falling in love I remember falling in love (,) add a comma
and knowing it it would last forever. knowing it (it) would last forever remove second "it" and remove "and"
Some things never change add an exclamation point after (change)

I very much enjoy your poetry! the suggestions I have recommended will help the flow of the poem run more smoothly. but it is your poem and your decision. a really great poem!

*hugs, Cat

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

Hi Cat.
Boy, did I screw that one up. The actual version before I typed it to the stream was better but still had errors. I have made the corrections you suggested and I appreciate all of them. Bottom line, I need to slow down!

Thanks again and best to you and Steve. - Will

author comment

will produce fewer errors. Nice job though. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Howdy Geezer.

Thanks for commenting and for reading. My better half is always telling, or yelling, at me to "slow down". I know she is right but at 80+ I just have to hurry to get everything done before I croak. Well, I know that b.s. but it's the only excuse I can think of.

T h a n k s a g a i n . - Will

author comment

we get excited about an idea or something and we want to rush through it. I still do it on occasion. But Haste makes waste. LoL ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

The last stanza...how you knew falling in love would be forever and how it never changed...everything else changed and love remained the one constant in your life. Beautiful!

~RoseBlack~

Hello Rose.

Thank you for your kind comments. I'm glad you liked the poem.

Best wishes for a wonderful new year. -Will

author comment
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