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2,871 Public Reviews Given
3,544 Total Reviews Given
Review Style
Read my reviews. Look at any other review. I see the good, with an eye toward potential. Will never be/play authority of someone else’s words, leave to the master of the work. I just reflect/react/review, a fuller perspective. Responses of my reviews are affirming. Do not credit me. Pay it forward.
I'm good at...
Poetry, shorter stuff. I'm mostly blind. I react and encourage with my reviews, suggest direction to make something better. I can be a friend. Trust went out the window. I break the conventional fourth wall. Not sure what it means? Ask.
Favorite Genres
nature, love, psychological, spiritual, inspirational, epiphany, emotional, drama, human interest, science, conspiracy, dystopian, fatalistic, speculative. Not cookie cutter fantasy realms or choose your adventure. Action/adventure. Unique, surprise.
Least Favorite Genres
Horror, fan fiction, some fantasy and sci-fi, or anything Lord of the Rings/Game of Thrones-ish.
Favorite Item Types
poetry, short story, essay/opinion/blog
Least Favorite Item Types
fantasy, horror
Public Reviews
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1151
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Review of Gone  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: 18+ | (4.5)
"Gone"  has smatterings of intriguing expressions about the maturation of one who finds happiness as a kept woman.

Found many references to darkness that got me thinking about forbidden love, but for certain, the mystery of this magical man who holds her.

The poem opened with this reaching in the dark for something greater than a dream. I wondered when you say...

Gently aiming passed dreams

...if you meant past?

Some of the expressions that helped this piece of writing include...

Gone are little girl ways..

...which suggests the loss of innocence before the maturity from the relationship.

I was also struck by the open...'Darkness sweeps her northern,' which I think could be interpreted different ways, and maybe that is the intent. I sense that this is the first suggestion of the forbidden.

'She is content in her entrapment' speaks volumes about this relationship. The kept woman. The blocked paths that suggest no other love will ever come between them.

An illuminating read with this poem.

Brian

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Review of Loss of a kiss  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.0)
"Loss of a kiss"  contains some pearls in its chaotic struggle for self-expression.

The title doesn't come into play, but I plugged it into the formula here to see this as a person struggling to overcome fear and/or failure at romance, but ultimately gives up.

One part that I really liked...

Definition that fought for creation
Returns to the void of ambiguity

This is showing promise, the return to fight to get back on this path. The ambiguity ironically is all to clear. Needed something more to appreciate this struggle.

Also...

defeated by mediocrity...

...seemed poignant, but a sudden turn. What happened? It's like some invisible forces are at work here.

What could use work is the symbolism and imagery. In that open, the 'path worn from years loses its flavor,' seemed an odd pairing. A couple of thoughts that could remedy that...'blossomed path' or have that trail darken, altered somehow.

Something I also liked was 'Worldly weeds' but thought there was a flaw in its argument. It seems to suggest wisdom from this unused path in life. It's my belief that experience is gained from the many travels. I would still keep the expression because it is a great expression. Just needs to relate differently somehow.

Well, I don't know how much good I've been rambling on. But, I do believe there is much at work here that can speak to the reader. I would try to push the subject out of the shadows to help this piece relate to its title.

Brian

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Review of Green Laughter  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | N/A (Review only item.)
Hi Susan!

I tried to imagine this scene with that open. I got the feeling that this was a child with 'tyke,' but then faeries were mentioned. With the second line, I started to visualize something like a flower before the focus moves away to the fields.

That's when it started coming together for me. I could imagine this as a nostalgic recollection of childhood, of children playing. I especially liked the line...

Imprints of green laughter..

...such a great way to show this indelable memory.

The only phrase I troubled with was 'copies of clover.' I assume you mean to infer the identical nature of the plant. The reference didn't seem to match the showiness of the rest.

Always a pleasure to read your work. Well done!

Brian

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Review of Broken Crayons  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (5.0)
The expression 'a crayon breaks' is powerfully emotive, suggestive and symbolic in its depiction of this child's memory.

Such a beautifully depicted little one with this poem. You paint the innocence in that open and had me thinking this was nothing more than a broken crayon.

The second stanza started to make me wonder about this voice asking if her pictures sing, which is very effective use of the interpretation of the beauty of this child. What's more, the stanza is beginning to show what she left behind, setting me up for the end.

The final stanza shows the dark contrast to all that has been visualized and felt in the opening stanzas. The crayon is used to represent the child.

You showed with this piece and I could feel what you were expressing, which I truly appreciate. I had to go through and reread, of course, after seeing this in a new light by story's end.

It shows that you put a lot of thought into the construct of "Broken Crayons" . With 'broken,' it suggests even more about how this child came to be, and leaves a space where I can color in my own social commentary.

Nicely done.

Brian

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Review of The End?  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.0)
Without the description line, I would not have thought this was a soldier's voice, but the voice of one who has been oppressed.

The word 'they' was vague...do you mean government, our leaders, the wealthy, big business...all or some? This was too general and didn't get a feel for the narrator.

To remedy that, you could focus on that person with some descriptions and/or background to give the reader a feel for this character before the monologue full of unanswerable questions. I think to personalize it, you could include references to where this person should be...home with family, helping victims of catastrophies, etc.

Some vivid imagery, especially in stanza three.

They save themselves to fill their homes
Laid on a mountain of scarred bones
On the money pile we are thrown
They let you know you're on your own

This is the essence of the piece and the greatest argument made here for being put in the position to give his/her life for our country. I would expand on that theme. Maybe even write several poems form the perspective of different people affected by war, something that could be part of a series depicting the various issues

You have a talent for composing some visually stimulating stuff and was impressed with the emotion that poured from this piece.

Brian

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Review of No Name  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.0)
I got the gist of this being an entity like God that the minds of many see differently, name differently. That we are victims of the unknowing fates of our unpredictable lives.

"No Name"  seems to suggest that people deflect blame from theirselves for the course of events, but say it is the will of something greater...be it good or bad.

I like the premise for this piece. It suggests that people need to take a closer look at their own behavior and the outcomes that we affect ourselves.

Giving voice to this entity would suggest that it might exist and doesn't like being the fall guy. There are a lot of questions in that third stanza and would have liked fewer or broken up, because it evoked too many thoughts to absorb. A more unified theme to those notions could keep this reader from being led astray from the main focus.

Like, "Who is the 'Almighty?'" That is suggestive of all these names, but it opens up another avenue for thought. The statement by the mighty one about not knowing is not consistent of what we believe of God, or any entity that controls the fates. It sounds like a pessimistic God.

Those were my only troubles with the poem. I like your tack and how you attempt to provoke a reader to think about these things.

Brian

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Review of SH!  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.5)
The directive for "SH!"  linked these stanzas in a way that holds my attention. The lines between the shushing deliver evenly and calmly, almost lyrical. I could see this as a mantra for onself like inner dialogue. But it could also to be spoken to another to ease their worries.

Giving sound to silence in the second line was a nice touch. It created contrast and another dimension to the auditory device to evoke a sense of what silence could bring, like harmony.

Brian

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Review of What if?  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.0)
Life and love on rewind in a tape deck?

In "What if?" , each brief stanza suggests the 'what ifs' of a relationship that never was, if one had a do over to make it so. Made me think of the Sandler movie 'Click.'

I didn't know what 'match' meant in the tape deck terminology. Do you mean 'splice the tapes of time?' That I could understand. It would fit with the statement of editing God's laws, which I don't think too many readers would be keen about. Speaks to morality in a vague sense and not sure of what you get at.

When I think about who this might be intended for, I imagine someone who is not considering this relationship now or in the past. Sort of sounds like an invitation to maybe pretend there was something in the past to start something in the present.

When I get to that last stanza, it asks a question that cannot be answered unless love's waters are intended to be tested. So in the end, it sounds like an invitation to try this thing now.

Erase, eject...the way they are separated made me think about erasing a past that never was...or the present thought of the past that never was...Probably my confusion there about that?

And the 'eject' part seems to suggest, should I drop this subject now and never speak of it again?

One blemish...In that first line, you should remove the apostrophe from 'lives.'

Overall, I like the metaphor. I think it needs to be tweaked to make this message clearer.

Brian

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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: ASR | (4.0)
A poem about writer's block that seems vague in description and repetitive as if on purpose to give that feeling when one searches to express, takes another tack, still doesn't work, and so on.

There is some imagery here that starts out looking like a scrapbook or photo album, but follows with this suggestion of needing to speak of hidden feelings, but how?

There is the confinement by this inability to express oneself before I reach...

Fragments weave themselves into places
but I can't seem to fill the empty spaces.

I wanted to look at those two lines specifically, and held back from analyzing them until now when I pasted them above. It was an intriguing line and held me for a moment with a sing-songy feel.

It made me think of the cognitive process, like we are entering the mind now. That maybe this mind is like an album or scrapbook full of memories with hidden agendas. It's just vague enough to make me wonder what the narrator is getting at.

And it becomes obvious, no great breakthrough is going to come of this. It is this expression of being unable to get past this point to find something to fill the gaps that can put this puzzle together.

Perhaps, the metaphors are mixed. We have an album of memories, a box, pages (pretty much unified so far); then, prison, cages and dams to finish. The title even suggests the imprisonment.

Perhaps, to remedy, this album could be something constructed within this confinement so the two metaphors don't butt heads. Or maybe I'm overanalyzing. *Smile*

I liked how this started out, a good premise. The conclusion is satisfactory, but felt "The Walls of My Prison"  could use unified imagery to send this one across that finish line.

Brian

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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: ASR | (4.5)
Hi Lexi,

I really liked the use of the movie titles with "Fighting For Freedom"  with primarily the Armageddon theme and doubt about how it will all play out with the message of God's promise.

It didn't seem forced and I liked the voice it suggests some innocence in this search for the final truth. Makes me wonder if this is what we are fighting for now and if what has happened so far is only a small sampling of what is yet to come.

This poem had a good pace, and I liked the message at the end. About the movie titles -- did you get to pick any ones you wanted, or did you have to choose from a list? I think it is challenging when you are limited, but it inspires creativity.

Good job with this.

Brian

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Review of A Simple Girl  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: 13+ | (5.0)
Would this be construction paper that was left in the sun or water damaged, or both? *Smile*

The physical representation of this person speaks volumes in its plain, down to earth manner. But pure, this one can dream and aspire with the ability to shine on the outside with the manner of pride and self-worth.

Such a useful way to express how to accept oneself as is and not try to compete or compare with others. Just be yourself, is what this says, and so much more. You can still dream, you can still put your heart out there and hope, take risks and be a survivor.

Such effective imagery in the midst of this poem, too...

My dreams are
folded in my pocket.
My inspirations are
written on my heart.
My fragile love is
hung on a thread,
and my naked mind is
complicated by
this intricate world.

Aside from the repeated stanza, this says it all in its romantic, dreaming way. I really enjoyed this one, Lexi.

Brian


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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: ASR | (4.5)
Visually, that third stanza captured my attention and made me feel it should have been the open to this poem. With the innocence and active imagery to tug at heart strings of readers, "The Faces on Milk Cartons"  opens the door to the cold, harsh reality that beautiful ones like this wind up on milk cartons and missing children posters.

You put a face on these unexplainable, inexcusable atrocities...perhaps, even trying to reach into the criminal minds of the perpetrators to claw at their consciences.

That opening is effective. But I would think it better used as a repeated hook to lace together several depictions of beautiful children, carefree, innocent, unknowing of what evil would befall upon them.

Very effective writing.

Brian

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Review of Aggression  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: 13+ | (4.5)
When I read this and imagined these stanzas as expressions for what parts of the storm represent, I was amazed at how I could imagine these just like what occurs before and during the storm.

The first stanza needs no explanation. I got to this descriptive representation of precipitation and imagine its might as it rains down.

The third stanza gets even more interesting and teases my auditory recollection of the sound of this heavy precipitation like hail slamming against the hard walkways and street.

The last stanza is the physical representation of the thunderous storm and claw like lightening. Of course, in my mind. But that is what I imagined as I read these very descriptive passages that were a pleasure to consume.

Brian

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Review of November Rain  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: 13+ | (4.0)
Hello Again, Kitti!

Now see, I would have got all the song titles, but you went and spoiled it for me. *Smile*

I could sense something taunting the musician, the unplayed instrument, memories of failures in life and/or love, or the inability to express the above through music.

The November Rain song title was a good start, and brought full circle with the artist trying to echo the melancholy precipitation (see how I avoid repeating the word for H20? *Laugh*).

Maybe, Paradise City seemed forced in that mix. But "November Rain"  aptly depicts this person with the blues, even if nothing from that music genre wound up in the mix! What's up with that? (There I go again *Smile*)

The Angel Army sent me. I'm just here so I can get my wings.

Brian

"Invalid Item" 
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Review of Touched By Love  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.5)
This is a lovely expression of love for another and captures it with some unique imagery and some melancholy in the process.

I was struck by these lines...

As if through rose-tinted glasses I see,
The sunshine behind drops of rain,
The greyest of skies still look blue to me...

This reads like a poem within a poem. You capture an image of radiance, colored and hiding behind tears. And with the last line suggests that even in the darkest moments, still beautiful. This was the highlight of the poem for me.

Brian
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Review of Last Walk  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: 18+ | (4.0)
Sounds like someone with a phobia. These unrealized fears, metamorphical and yet seeming unreal. Perhaps, even paranoia.

I could feel the confining, frustrating journey here and could relate to the hardships of life that can wear someone down in this way. I would think this imagery could be illuminated even more to show this struggle. Possibly, give more of a scenary to this metaphorical setting. Symbols that suggest the struggle. Obstacles that get in the way.

Does the ending suggest this person gave up on life literally or figuratively? Perhaps that is for the reader to decide.

Brian
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Review of Moonlight Legend  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (5.0)
"Moonlight Legend"  is such a thoughtfully constructed insight in to the mind of someone thinking about a friend/love who took those suicidal tendencies too far.

It opens in a way that puts it all in perspective, looking upon the night sky -- something that is unexplainable to many, to the naked eye, just as with this unnecessary, untimely death.

What you also show is reflection in a moment, trying to put this all into perspective and then give that deeper introspect about what happened.

These words were compelling, read fluidly and brought me to the melancholy the narrator depicts. It is extremely moving and saddening about how one, so damaged by life, needs to feel pain, feel life is by taking it.

I did catch a few minor blemishes...

...knife to(o) close...

...that she exist(s)...

This is such a welcome sight at Writing.Com and good to have some new members with a fresh eye for writing. You showed me something with this. I will be paying your portfolio another visit to see what else you have to offer.

All The Best,

Brian Keith Compton
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Review of Disloyalty  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.5)
This is very powerful and with the religious icons and their stigmas that are related to the human condition.

You've shown that despite the course of all those centuries, we still face the same obstacles. And convincingly.

This read so smoothly and delivered such a well stated message that leaves no doubt to the reader. It was a very satisfying piece of writing to consume.

I think the only thing I was thrown by was the order these characters were introduced...primarily the first stanza. The first thought went to my thinking, is this person comparing themself to Jesus. Reading the following passages diffused that notion. Perhaps, a different order would eliminate this hurdle for some who might have a similar thought triggered by that stanza.

Overall, just a brillliant and entertaining poem. Glad to have you here as a member of Writing.Com. I hope to read more of your work in the future.

Brian Keith Compton
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Review of Grown Up  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (5.0)
This is a beautiful revelation and a great epiphany put into words for others to see the honesty and realism.

This is well written and concise and is a great essay on the subject. Many might not think that it would take this long to consider themselves an adult, because they would say I can vote, I can drink, no discussion.

But to me, adulthood is in the way you perceive yourself in society and how you function within. No doubt, getting under a roof of your own, paying the bills and having all that responsibility gives one that sense that they can manage. And it sounds like you've got a great handle on it and are very comfortable with where you are. And you feel the empowerment, which is great, because you know you have clout and can use it to help with that survival instinct.

And hopefully, you know, you can always be as young as you want to be. It's a dual role! You can have fun now that you have taken responsibility. I say, if you work hard, play hard. It's a great feeling, and you're living proof!

Great job with this!

Brian
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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.5)
I like what you have done with this poem about writer's block. It shows you put some thought into its construction when you make reference to the writer shutting off the utilities, the sensory devices.

There is a sudden leap from this realization into the metaphorical court where you are the only witness, plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor, defender and judge. Kind of sounds funny when you put it that way. Kind of a kangaroo court. It's like you were your own posse, too. A lynching mob, no less.

With the realization of the writer's unwitting attempt to self-medicate away any emotional tendencies to loose the creative juices, the tough soon reign it in.

This is realistic in the way the mind carries out these thoughts and have often did this to myself, but it kept happening and I wanted it to stop. Little did I know, it would take a good therapist to show me that I needed to be more understanding of my tendencies to tune stuff out. I just had to coax myself back out, acknowledgment that these things happen and move on. And like shampoo, you need to rinse and repeat (a lot!).

Sometimes, the brain is trying to tell you take a rest. Do something to reward yourself, clean the slate. Then step back into it with a fresh look.

No one has solved writer's block. As someone once said (a sports metaphor) 'you can't stop (it). you can only hope to contain (it).'

Thanks for sharing this. I love writer's block pieces to analyze and give more thought to the process from the POV of others.

Brian
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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (5.0)
You don't write like no newbie I ever saw 'round here before. *Smile*

Your poetry is a welcome sight here at Writing.Com. This is so well written, you had me running for my Webster's before I could get half way through.

Some interesting word choices with their most unique definitions. I was able to piece this one together and got a greater appreciation for what went into constructing "The little stranger" .

The flower is a symbol of something beautiful and innocent that has little chance of survival, becoming hardened by life and dies alone.

Words that were uniquely devised here include fry = people or things that seem insignificant; stager = experience, old hand, veteran; and spleen = melancholy, low spirits...

It sort of encapsulates the melancholic existence...so much promise and yet nothing.

Excellent work. I will have to visit your port sometime and see what else you have to offer.

Happy New Year!

Brian Keith Compton
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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: ASR | (3.5)
This poem had a chorus and wondered if it was intended more like lyrics or if there is some for to this piece.

I get the image of the warrior in a battle for love as an extended type of metaphor. But I think this could be edited to speed the read and get the emphasis on some of the active language within that hold me as a reader.

That first line wasn't a good hook, cliche even. It's a statement and doesn't show me anything to start.

I think the repeated stanza should be used three times maximum, but beginning and end works just as good. Keep the focus on the fight and the imagery that can show us, help us imagine the fight in the terms you describe.

This piece shows some promise with some editing. Looking up now, I see this is an older item. So you may already be happy with the finished product, and I can understand that. But hopefully, my suggestions will come of some use.

Brian
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Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: ASR | (5.0)
What an unexpected surprise and pleasure to be recognized by the People's Choice Newsletter. And my entire port, no less.

I had to do some quick tidying up, in anticipation of all the company you have sent my way. Thanks for the extra exposure!

Brian Keith Compton
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Review of A Pearl in Gold  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (5.0)
So this would be loving someone from afar then. I liked the way this was portrayed as a lonely king on a throne with the use of light to crown.

It also seems to read like someone who is too beautiful to love. Perhaps, not daring to encounter for fear that this one could not compare.

That glance was returned. But nothing came of it. But that moment seems to be stored like the precious jewel because the dream is more likely greater than what could have possibly followed in this narrator's mind. To hold on to the paradise divine scheme and put the words in poem make it an indelible memory.

Well Done.

Brian KC
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Review of The Axe  
Review by Brian K Compton
Rated: E | (4.5)
So this is about a beheading?

Just kidding. I hope you don't get that a lot. I here it can happen, though.

Your use of imagery to deliver that blow to end the relationship is vivid and gives more of the feeling of how a moment like this must feel.

I read it twice and this is what I gather: He doesn't want the relationship to end. He has criticized that she doesn't do enough for herself (or them) and too much for others. And in a sense, he's suggesting she can't end it because she doesn't have it in her because it is in her nature. There is the contradiction in his mindset.

So was I right? I thought this to be well thought out and told in a way that left me no doubt. The ending could be seen as her freedom from a lifestyle that has burdened her and the axe had to fall there to make it happen.

Nice work for an underrated work. Hope I read it right.

Brian *Smile*
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