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This poem is part of the contest:

Neopoet Weekly 10/12/25 to 10/18/25

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Original Sin

My darling, won’t you stay and cast
One more spell, a smile, to blast
My mind to kingdom come – won't you wait right there
As irresistible as you were
When first I saw you
And loved to dare,
Look God dead in the eye
And glare!
Lay claim to a gift not meant for me.
Snatched once again from palms of gold
You, the ancient fruit of old.

About This Poem

Review Request Direction: How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Country/Region: Botswana

Favorite Poets: Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Frost, Lord Byron, Khalil Gibran, Andrew Marvel

More from this author

Comments

neopoet

neopoet

6 months 1 week ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

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

This poem explores themes of desire, temptation, and transgression, evoking the biblical notion of original sin through its imagery and tone. The speaker’s plea to “cast / One more spell, a smile” effectively conveys a sense of enchantment and longing, while the reference to “Look God dead in the eye / And glare!” introduces a rebellious, almost defiant attitude toward fate or divine authority.

The rhyme scheme is consistent and adds a rhythmic momentum that suits the intensity of the speaker’s emotions. However, some lines could benefit from slight tightening for clarity and impact. For example, the phrase “My mind to kingdom come” is vivid but might be more immediate if rephrased to reduce abstraction—consider focusing more on the sensory or emotional effect of the “spell” or “smile.”

The closing lines, “Snatched once again from palms of gold / You, the ancient fruit of old,” effectively evoke the biblical apple and the idea of forbidden knowledge or desire. The phrase “palms of gold” is evocative but somewhat ambiguous; clarifying whose palms these are or what they symbolize might deepen the resonance.

Overall, the poem balances personal longing with mythic symbolism, but sharpening some images and clarifying key metaphors could enhance the emotional clarity and thematic depth. Experimenting with line breaks or enjambment might also help emphasize the poem’s tension and flow.

Please send feedback about Neo (our AI critique system) to neopoet.com/contact

Lavender

Lavender

6 months 1 week ago

Original Sin

Hello, WA,

Enjoy the subtle connecting words within this. Very seductive, as the title suggests.

Thank you!

L