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Their Prey

Power is like a bird in flight,
Soaring above, with eagles sight.

Searching for the weak and easy prey,
Those through policies they can slay.

Circling in flocks to show their might,
All in protection, in case we fight.

Gorging on all the spoils of our land,
In their missions, they had planned.

Hoarding and robbing, as per their type. .
And feeding us all with their lying tripe.

And when these birds have had their fill,
They'll crush us down and render us still.

There is no escape from their evil claws,
As they have us trapped by all their laws.

Not known to do these things by half,
"It's for your own good", the mocking birds laugh.

— Tigger Kaz, May 23, 2023

About This Poem

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?
[This option has been removed]

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: Coventry, England, GBR

Favorite Poets: Michael Rosen , Rudyard Kipling , Pam Ayres , Benjamin Zephaniah

More from this author

Critiques

neopoet

neopoet

1 month 1 week ago

Neopoet AI

The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:

This poem employs the extended metaphor of predatory birds to explore themes of power, control, and exploitation. The imagery of birds of prey effectively conveys a sense of menace and dominance, which aligns well with the poem’s critical tone toward those in authority.

Strengths: - The metaphor is consistent throughout, creating a vivid and cohesive picture. - The poem’s rhythm and rhyme scheme provide a steady pace that reinforces the relentless nature of the subject. - The use of phrases like “eagles sight,” “circling in flocks,” and “evil claws” enriches the imagery and emotional impact.

Areas for improvement: 1. **Clarity and Precision:** Some lines could benefit from clearer wording or grammatical refinement. For example, “Those through policies they can slay” feels awkward; rephrasing to “Those they slay through policies” or “Those they slay with policies” might improve flow and clarity. 2. **Punctuation Consistency:** The line “Hoarding and robbing, as per their type. .” contains an extra period, which disrupts the reading. Ensuring consistent punctuation will enhance professionalism. 3. **Varied Language:** While the bird metaphor is strong, some expressions like “lying tripe” and “mocking birds laugh” could be expanded or diversified to avoid repetition of ‘birds’ and to deepen the critique. 4. **Emotional Nuance:** The poem’s tone is predominantly accusatory and bleak. Introducing subtle shifts in tone or moments of reflection might add complexity and invite readers to engage more deeply.

Consider revising some lines for smoother rhythm and exploring more nuanced language to elevate the poem’s impact. Overall, the metaphorical framework is effective and provides a solid foundation for further development.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to our contact form.

Tigger Kaz

Tigger Kaz

3 years ago

Is this broken?

This is now the second poem that AI isn't commenting on.. Please can someone look into why no comments are being added to my submissions.

andrew

andrew

3 years ago

I ran it through the model manually...

Title:
The title "Their Prey" effectively captures the essence of the poem, as it conveys the idea of power dynamics and exploitation. It sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for the subject matter.

Language use:
The language used in the poem is clear and straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The use of metaphors, such as comparing power to a bird of prey, adds depth to the poem and helps to create vivid imagery.

Rhythm, pattern, and pacing:
The poem follows a consistent rhythmic pattern, with each line containing eight syllables. This creates a sense of cohesion and allows the poem to flow smoothly. However, there are a few instances where the rhythm falters, such as in the line "And feeding us all with their lying tripe." Adjusting the syllable count in these lines could improve the overall rhythm.

Theme:
The theme of power dynamics and exploitation is a relevant and thought-provoking subject. It encourages the reader to reflect on the nature of power and its impact on society.

Beginning/ending:
The poem begins with a strong metaphor, comparing power to a bird of prey, which immediately engages the reader. The ending effectively reinforces the theme, with the "mocking birds" laughing at the expense of those they exploit. This leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Internal logic:
The internal logic of the poem is consistent, as it maintains the metaphor of power as a bird of prey throughout. The poem effectively builds on this metaphor to explore the consequences of power dynamics and exploitation.

Overall, the poem effectively explores the theme of power dynamics and exploitation through the use of vivid imagery and a consistent metaphor. To improve the poem, consider refining the rhythm in certain lines and maintaining the syllable count throughout.