For Mary Oliver and Poo-tee-weet

For Mary Oliver: I like that instead of creating a series of similes in order to compare, you created them as a contrast. My favorite line of this poem "the loose sequin leaves of cottonwood trees who shimmy like jazz dancers" gave me the best mental image. It made me think of the beginning of fall, right as the leaves are changing and how the slightest breeze can shake them from their branches and they appear to glitter, much like sequins which you had mentioned. I like how you pose a question towards the end "why this endless translation?" followed by "the best writing is only an impression", upon looking at the bigger picture, everyone takes different meaning from the things that they encounter. Nothing is ever what at seems, at least depending on the person. I know you said be critical, but I feel that this poem was beautifully written. I would consider capitalizing the beginning of each stanza, I think this would make the poem feel a bit more finalized and complete.

Poo-tee-weet: I like that this poem is addressing a particular person, and in doing so you have painted an accurate portrait regarding the media and the realities of war. The truth is that in times of turmoil and despair, there is talk of tactics and strategy, but there is never any talk of ways to avoid such tragedies. The truth is, everyone knows, but speaks out when it's too late. You have addressed current events in a poetic and saturated way. The line "the bbc host recalls casualties like a grocery list" particularly stuck with me for it's sheer truth. I love that you compared the names of casualties to that of a grocery list. A grocery list generally doesn't carry any meaning or importance, and people, people who had lives, families, friends, jobs, dreams, people that had significance and substantial presence are now marginalized to a piece of paper. "Who will save them? Who will stop talking and save them?" These two lines, I felt, were the most compelling. It made me examine the world's situation, the way in which most do not look past their pseudo-intellectual robotic babble to understand the realness of these situations. I like that you incorporated footnotes to help the reader better understand and clarify any questions they may have initially had. Again, the only problem I really had was with capitalization I think it provides a solid and concrete point of view.