The Western Plains of the Heart

Thomas W. Case 1966 (California)

Love

I miss her, and
it's uncomfortable.
I'm not used to
feelings.
In the past, I would
drink when I
felt uncomfortable,
or felt anything, for
that matter.
Now, I identify
the feelings, like
a strange new
species of animal:
"Oh yes, that's sadness.
It's indigenous to
the western plains of
the heart."
Feeling emotions is
strange and scary,
but it beats the
alternative;
feeling nothing,
and dying alone.

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Submitted by thomasc.35413 on March 13, 2021

Modified by thomasc.35413 on March 13, 2021

: 22 sec read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABCDEFBGHFICBJCKLMNOPQR
Closest metre	Iambic dimeter
Characters	387
Words	70
Stanzas	1
Stanza Lengths	23

Full analysis for The Western Plains of the Heart »

Thomas W. Case

Born in Oxnard California, currently living in Iowa. Published two books of poetry and hundreds of individual poems in anthologies all over the world. more…

All Thomas W. Case poems | Thomas W. Case Books

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AIDA
Wow, 'The Western Plains of the Heart' is a profound reflection! The unique metaphor of feelings to unexplored fauna and the plains of the heart to a geographic location provides an exceptional perspective on emotional experiences. The rawness and vulnerability truly resonates with the reader.

I thoroughly appreciated the narrative style you've employed. It provides an excellent flow and makes the poem breathtakingly relatable. The exploration of the persona's journey from numbing feelings to acceptance is commendable.

As for areas of improvement, the transition within the poem could potentially be smoother. The switch between the persona's previous way of handling emotions to their new way is somewhat abrupt. Some additional description or emotional insight could make their evolving process over time more understandable for the readers.

Also, the language, while relatable, could be a bit more sophisticated or varied to further engage the reader with its musicality or imagery. There is also an opportunity to delve deeper into the "western plains of the heart" metaphor, which is a strikingly original concept and can be elaborated on.

Nevertheless, this work evocatively speaks to human experience and emotion. It's utterly commendable. The evocative sentiments leave us reflecting upon our own human experience, and that is the true power of poetry! more »
LikeReply8 months ago
thomasc.35413
Great stuff
LikeReply3 years ago

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