New York Pitch Conference Reviews, Algonkian Writer Conferences, and Poetry Forums

Nice one, Meenas. One nit: why is "Majority" capitalized? Did you mean to put a period after "set"? Or maybe you should tweak the last line to read "the majority fall in line."? It's an enjoyable poem...it has a nice flow to it.

Thank you, guys

Thanks, Billy

This is gorgeous, from beginning to end. I love it! The imagery is so imaginative, and the poem grows organically. A nom for sure. This poem makes my day!

Sipping Tea at the Fairmont I tried too hard, like a bellman crazy for tips. I’d have carried her bags up ninety floors in sweltering heat if she’d asked. She sat me down at the Fairmont and over iced tea calmly informed me we had to break up so she could meet someone new. I could have been drinking...

I find rhyming extremely difficult. Few poets these days rhyme successfully. If they do, it's usually with half rhymes. I'm an utter failure when it comes to rhyming. It's a skill set that requires years of working regularly with it. It looks much easier than it is.

I like the subject but look to say things simply...don’t sacrifice your poem to rhyme. Speak normally. For example, these lines performing the same old in small or large dose turns killing. and here... the 3rd line is troubling ... we would say conversationally “she who had a golden heart”... a trou...

Working with rhyme is a difficult skill set. I give you credit for taking up the challenge. I especially liked the coupling of “eventually” and “tally”. One of the things about The Second Coming is its strong and unusual imagery. Look to strengthen that part of your game as well. We can all improve ...

Mozart Dying Six weeks before he died, his eyes rust-red, he whispered that he was dying. He was exhausted, overworked and I urged him to put aside the Requiem , to write a cheerful piece but at some point he turned back to it, premonitions visiting him as frequently as debtors. Within weeks he was ...

Bob Bradshaw bobbybradshw@yahoo.com The poem is my original and unpublished work and I don't have a poem committed to represent another board in the current IBPC. Women Astronauts Leave a Dying Planet There weren't women on the planet, and we weren't obliged to play mothers and lovers to a populace ...

Thx, Ken. Michael, you mentioned "Women Astronauts Leave a Dying Planet" on your short list. Let me know if I should post "Women Astronauts...or "Would I Want to Know the Date...". Best, Bob

Thanks, Billy. I look forward to reading it. I know that it will be good

I nominate Billy's "The Way of Coyote", Ken's "The Hag" and Siva's "What if we do not go to the forest...". Siva, you should put "I" before "cannot" in the last line if you go forward with posting your poem.

Would I want to know the date of my death? No, I want to live as if death were a rumor planted by an unreliable source. Why count the moments as if they were a steady drip of a glucose bag? On the other hand I could plan my funeral: the casket, the music... " Jumpin' Jack Flash " revved up on the sp...

Well done. I like the tone throughout

Michael, Ken — thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

Just superb. My favorite lines are the Samson image as well. Kudos.

Michael, I have revised the poem to use your verb "scanning". Thx again

A Christmas Eve Story I slept in the attic under the clatter of rain. Whatever it was, something woke me and I eased myself quietly down the stairs. There was nothing at the bottom but a mess of shadows. Then I saw him, a large man snoring on the couch. There were no presents on the floor, but clear...

Poignant. The appealing touch at the end. Very strong piece.

I love this:
Toothless in the front,
a gap the size of the gates to hell.

The serpent image is also well constructed.

It’s the compassionate tone that speaks volumes, and draws us in.

Thx for the kind words, guys...

A couple nits: you should place a period after maram and capitalize “who”.

Also at the end put an “I” before cannot.

A very pleasing poem.

Another revision? Go for it!

Thanks, Ken

I like both versions. Both are so different in tone. Which do you prefer?