Review for Jessica

Inmate 321324: This is quite different from the poetry I am used to, but I can really tell you put a lot of thought and feeling into this one. Inmates are given numbers, as if to dehumanize them, and despite the fact that you repeated this number throughout the poem, you gave this person life, personality, and substance. You have revealed the injustice which is everpresent in our society and the treatment of minorities i.e. "They hate to see a black man with something to stand for". I also liked your ryhme scheme, it was subtle yet substantial. As the reader, I could really feel the pain in the last line because it was made clear to me what it is like to be helpless in such a situation. The only thing I wish you did was maybe explain why he was in jail or the events leading up to it because I was left with these questions at the end.

Complete Me: I really connected with this poem, mainly because I often feel lost and confused, especially in regards to religion. I'm sure a lot of people feel this way, particularly when bad things happen, like the loss of a loved one. When something bad happens we are always left asking ourselves why and it is then we start questioning our religion, or asking for the help of higher being. My favorite line "Wishing I could rewind time Back to daddy's little girl and mommy's little helper" made me reminisce on my childhood and remember how easy life was and how as a child, you never do soul searching because you trust everything you are told. As you get older however, things start to change and you are always questioning your beliefs. I think that you perfectly expressed these thoughts. My only suggestion is to maybe extend the length of this poem by explaining why you are suddenly having these thoughts, what event triggered you to feel this way?