You asked for depth...it is what you shall receive. In return, though, I want the same depth when you review Wild-Eyed Circus.

The first half or so of the poem is littered with cynicism about what might be Americana or simply Western society, implying that it’s sort of a self-destructive, flash-no-substance paradigm. Then mingled within that same part there’s an outcry against war—within the poem there’s seemingly no distinction between (American) football helmet and a soldier’s helmet. Pop culture romanticizes war (“take a picture when they put their helmets on”; “sliced by Francois chandelier”) while war gives pop culture something to feed on (“champagne”; “luxury”). I get the image of a huge army regiment marching through the field during a football game, the spectators cheering them on, the game never ceasing. And all the while, the roof is caving in (“The theater is crashing in its own damned stadium”). Everyone is too preoccupied with the images to pay much heed, of course. All of this jammed into six lines: A worthy accomplishment.

But that’s just the first part.

Enter the emotion, and the whole thing becomes more complex. I see you reflecting on everything around you. There’s a sense of isolation (“draping from an alien”; “designation in a nation of jesters and fools”) mingling with the ever-present criticism of the world’s perception (“Badge of honour”; “haughty naughty feelings”).

In this last part your articulation seems to become more desperate. You spurt out more words, more rapidly, and your statements become bolder and more pronounced. The intensity goes up. And in becoming so intensely desperate, you bring yourself back to the opening line about the world caving in around you. By the end you’ve succeeded in both alienating yourself and vilifying everyone else. It’s a rather lonely idea, but it’s dark and I greatly appreciate that.

I hope this analysis is satisfactory, but if it’s not quite, here’s a list of minor things to fix: in the first line, “it’s” should be “its”; in the third to last line, “your” should be “you’re”; and in the last line, you missed an apostrophe in “I’ll.” That’s pretty much all I have to say.

-the Cobster

I've been reading threw all them and so far i think i might like this one best. But i love the first one also. It reminds me of somthing that i read or seen before thats prolly why im so drawn to it.

astounding.

Brett-

As always, your work is beautiful as it is tragic. I wish you would cheer up in your writing...I don't like you to be always sad. I miss you, and hope you're doing alright.

Gardens,Jesse

wow, another poem that takes my breath away.

~jess