Rhetoric

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

The poem employs a compressed, almost staccato style that mirrors the subject of rhetoric—language that moves quickly, sometimes obfuscating meaning. The opening lines, “Volumes of thought race through / double tongued lips,” set a tone of duplicity and complexity, suggesting that speech is both abundant and unreliable. The phrase “double tongued” is effective in evoking political or manipulative discourse.

The use of enjambment throughout the poem creates a sense of momentum and fragmentation, which aligns with the theme of chaotic or overwhelming communication. However, some line breaks, such as “Communique sport a ravishing / trip,” feel abrupt and may disrupt the reader’s understanding. The word “communique” is singular, so “sport” should be “sports” for grammatical agreement, unless the intent is to use “communique” as a plural or collective noun.

The poem’s imagery shifts from the abstract (“rhetorical script,” “old school poitics”) to the concrete (“the river is rising up over it’s / banks”). The river metaphor is a strong visual, suggesting an unstoppable force, but the possessive “it’s” should be “its.” The transition to “desolations / foul stench” is vivid, though the phrase “desolations foul stench” could benefit from punctuation or rephrasing for clarity.

The final lines echo the famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty, but with a violent twist: “We’ll dash them to pieces with the / words that we speak!” This subversion is effective in critiquing the weaponization of language, but the exclamation mark may be unnecessary, as the content itself is forceful.

Consider reviewing line breaks for clarity and impact, correcting grammatical errors, and possibly expanding or clarifying the central metaphors to strengthen the poem’s cohesion. The poem’s tone and imagery work together to deliver a pointed critique of rhetorical violence, but tightening the language and structure could further enhance its effect.

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