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Run

The door is unlocked.

 

The house is quiet.

 

The kind of quiet 

That makes prey listen 

For a twig to snap. 

 

My chest is pounding so loud, 

I'm afraid he'll hear it

Through the wall.

 

My keys are heavy in my hand.

Cold metal forming to my palm. 

 

If I run now, 

I might have a chance

To live again.

— BlueSkies, May 13, 2026

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

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

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: GA, U.S.

More from this author

Critiques

neopoet

neopoet

3 weeks 1 day ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

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

This poem effectively builds a tense, suspenseful atmosphere through its concise and deliberate imagery. The repeated emphasis on silence—the unlocked door, the quiet house, the “kind of quiet that makes prey listen”—creates a palpable sense of danger and vulnerability. The metaphor of prey heightens the feeling of being hunted, which is reinforced by the speaker’s racing heartbeat and the weight of the keys in their hand.

The structure, with short lines and strategic spacing, mirrors the speaker’s cautious, fragmented thoughts and the urgency of the moment. The use of sensory details—the pounding chest, the cold metal—grounds the reader in the physical experience of fear.

To deepen the impact, consider sharpening the focus on the antagonist or threat, even if only hinted at, to increase the stakes and clarify the source of danger. Additionally, varying the rhythm slightly could enhance the tension; for example, shorter, more abrupt lines might mimic the speaker’s quickened breath or heartbeat. Finally, exploring a more distinctive voice or emotional nuance could make the speaker’s perspective even more compelling.

Overall, the poem succeeds in conveying a moment fraught with fear and the instinct to escape, inviting readers to share in the urgency and uncertainty.

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

Geezer

Geezer

3 weeks 1 day ago

I was caught...

 up in the moment;
I felt and heard my HEART pounding so loud, not my chest pounding.

I would take out the [My] out and use [the] instead, I thinks it makes it feel more like you don't have anything of your own. The cold metal, [warming] in my palm.
The suspense is definitely there. Make use of every trick to make it feel heavy.  ~ Geez.
 

BlueSkies

BlueSkies

3 weeks 1 day ago

Geezer,

Thanks for the feedback!  I like your recommendations!  

Frederick Kesner

Frederick Kesner

2 weeks 4 days ago

Most effective

Poetic justice expression of ‘run’ which takes the reader on a journey of mind and heart. 🙏🏻🕊️