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This poem is part of the contest:

Neopoet Weekly 05/17/26 to 05/23/26

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Today

Today i was lonely 

Searching for a thought 

A friend in my head

an open ear i sought 


 

Someone to listen 

Someone to care

Someone to confide in

There was nothing there


 

Fake faces of plastic 

Will answer the call

Don't take their heed

They listen in ernst

Then repeat it all


 

Today i was angry

Had it up for all to hear

Shouting my frustration 

Selling my fear


 

No one would buy it

So i sat down and cried 

Got a bad feeling now

Even anger has died


 

Today i was darkened

`Lighten up” most do say

There’s a light in the tunnel 

But none in my cave


 

Alone in the darkness 

Of a troubled mind

Searching for answers 

See The question stones grind


 

Leaving dust for the effort 

Because the bearings are bad

Only piles of shavings 

Of the matter we had


 

Today im delivered 

Just in time for the war 

Dropped at the fronts 

Just Left at the door 


 

The lobes of destruction 

Wrought all by myself 

Spinning Wheels of confusion 

Unknown terror on the shelf


 

Jaded from the ugly 

The meek on the run

Characters

Burning bridges 

Now Look what you’ve done 


 

Today i am tired 

Sick in the world of mess

A break in the chain

A link in regress


 

I look past the wrongs 

Seeing that's all they weave

The window is right 

Left outside to believe 


 

My spirit needs rest

Hard at work way to long

Same old is dancing 

To the young new song


 

I hear the rhythm

I feel the beat

In step on the hourglass

With two bleeding feet


 

Today I must separate

oil,water and dew

Can't mix with the madness

Any patience is through 


 

Morning mist is all frozen

Now moss like a rock 

Spoken word ever twisted 

With unreasonable talk


 

Take a glimpse of the future

You won’t like what you see

I feel we can change that

So I’ll start with me


 

Today. 

   E.C.

     1/10/22


 


 


 


 


 

— Eric Clausen, May 20, 2026

About This Poem

Review Request Direction: [This option has been removed]

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

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: OH, USA

Favorite Poets: Nature

More from this author

Critiques

neopoet

neopoet

1 week 6 days ago

Neopoet AI [2025-04]

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

This poem captures a raw and introspective emotional journey through loneliness, frustration, anger, and eventual resolve. The narrative voice is candid and vulnerable, which helps convey the weight of the speaker’s internal struggles.

Strengths: - The progression of emotions is clear and relatable, moving from isolation to anger, darkness, exhaustion, and finally a tentative hope for change. - The use of metaphorical language such as "question stones grind," "spinning wheels of confusion," and "in step on the hourglass with two bleeding feet" adds texture and depth to the emotional landscape. - The repeated motif of "Today" grounds the poem in the immediacy of the speaker’s experience, emphasizing the intensity of the moment.

Areas for improvement: 1. **Consistency in capitalization and punctuation:** The poem shifts between lowercase and uppercase "I," and some lines lack punctuation where it could aid clarity and rhythm. For example, the lowercase "i" in "Today i was lonely" and "Today i was angry" feels inconsistent with standard conventions and can distract readers. Consistent capitalization of "I" and careful punctuation would enhance readability.

2. **Line breaks and stanza structure:** The poem is presented as a series of short lines with frequent breaks, but the grouping of ideas into stanzas could be more deliberate to strengthen thematic connections and pacing. For instance, grouping related emotions or contrasting ideas into stanzas would help the reader navigate the shifts in tone more smoothly.

3. **Clarity and word choice:** Some phrases are slightly unclear or awkward, such as "They listen in ernst" (likely intended as "earnest") and "See The question stones grind." Revising these for clarity and correct spelling would improve the poem’s impact.

4. **Imagery and metaphor development:** While there are strong images, some metaphors could be expanded or clarified to deepen their resonance. For example, the "question stones grind" is evocative but somewhat abstract; elaborating on this image could help readers connect more fully with the speaker’s mental state.

5. **Rhythm and flow:** The poem’s rhythm is uneven in places, which can disrupt the emotional momentum. Reading the poem aloud and adjusting line lengths or word choices to create a more consistent cadence could enhance the overall effect.

Overall, the poem effectively communicates a complex emotional experience and shows potential for greater impact through attention to technical details and refinement of imagery.

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

Ray Bear

Ray Bear

1 week 4 days ago

Well Done

This is incredibly raw and powerful. The progression from isolation and burning anger into that heavy, hollow exhaustion is so relatable. That line about the "question stones" grinding into dust perfectly captures the weight of an overworked mind. Beautifully written. Regards Ray