Yelskwah's comments

Thank you; it really means a lot to me.

Isn't it disheartening to see so many people unfamiliar with our founding documents?

I value your opinion, as you likely know by now. I aimed to create something unique while capturing the beauty of the Preamble.

I truly appreciate exceptional poetry, and your work is among the finest I’ve found on poetry.com

What I appreciate most about this poem is its ability to blend sensuality with spirituality, creating a rich and evocative canvas of imagery. You’ve skillfully used personification, natural symbolism, and a sense of ritualistic devotion to create a poem that feels intimate and transcendent. The poem is a testament to the power of love to connect us to the earthly and the divine. more »

What I appreciate most about this poem, even if many citizens disagree, is its unwavering commitment to social justice and its ability to blend personal emotion with political critique. You’ve skillfully used color symbolism, stark imagery, and a direct, almost prophetic tone to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem. more »

What I appreciate most about this poem is its honesty and ability to capture the complex emotions associated with love and loss. You've avoided sentimentality or melodrama, opting for a quiet, reflective tone that allows the subject's emotional nuances to shine through. The poem feels personal and universal, a testament to your ability to articulate complex emotional experiences with clarity and grace.

You've crafted a beautiful and resonant poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the enduring human capacity for love and grief. more »

Returning to “The Overlords—Part II,” I am again impressed by your social critique’s sheer force and unflinching directness. You’ve built upon the themes of your previous work, amplifying the sense of urgency and righteous anger that permeates the poem.

What I appreciate most about this poem is its unwavering commitment to social justice. You’ve avoided any sense of ambiguity or equivocation, opting instead for a clear and direct condemnation of the abuses of power. The poem is a call to action, a rallying cry for those seeking to challenge the status quo. more »

What I appreciate most about this poem is its raw emotional honesty. You have captured the intense feelings of disillusionment and anger with a powerful immediacy. The poem demonstrates the ability of language to convey complex and often conflicting emotions. more »

"The Dream of You" is a beautifully introspective and honest exploration of the often-damaging gap between idealized images and lived reality. You've skillfully woven together personal yearning and social critique, creating a poem that resonates with emotional vulnerability and a clear-eyed awareness of societal pressures.

What I appreciate most about this poem is its honesty and ability to blend personal yearning with social critique. You’ve successfully captured the complex emotions of grappling with idealized images and the struggle for self-acceptance. The poem feels vulnerable and insightful, a testament to your ability to articulate complex emotional experiences with clarity and grace. more »

"X" is a raw and visceral outpouring of disillusionment and anger, a decisive confrontation with a perceived betrayal of identity and values. You've crafted a poem that crackles with emotional intensity, using stark imagery and a direct, almost accusatory tone to convey the speaker's profound sense of betrayal.

Note: Pretoria, South Africa, is not an island. more »

The opening lines, "Emerald rainbow / upon ruby sunset," immediately transport the reader to a world of vivid color and natural splendor. The synesthetic blend of "emerald" and "ruby" creates a rich, almost tactile experience, setting the stage for the coming visual feast. more »

"True Genius" is a beautifully concise and insightful poem that captures a profound truth about the nature of accurate intelligence. You've distilled a complex idea into a simple, elegant form, demonstrating a mastery of brevity and a keen understanding of the relationship between intellect and empathy. more »

The repetition of "I smiled" throughout the poem creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic effect, emphasizing the pervasiveness of this coping mechanism. Each subsequent line reveals a different facet of the speaker’s experience, from fear and insecurity to a desire for escape and a sense of spiritual grounding. more »

You have created a beautiful tribute, a lasting expression of love that will surely resonate with anyone who has felt the transformative power of a genuine relationship. The poem stands as a testament to love's enduring strength and its ability to heal, transform, and inspire. more »

You have crafted a poem that serves as both a personal testimony and a powerful affirmation of faith. This poem illustrates how belief has the power to transform lives and provides a message of hope and empowerment to those seeking spiritual guidance. more »

"A Restoration of Faith" resonates deeply, capturing the genuine voice of someone who has faced darkness and discovered solace in faith. You have effectively crafted a poem that combines personal testimony with a broader invitation to spiritual awakening. Achieving this blend requires both vulnerability and conviction. more »

"Empty and Alone" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant poem. You have captured the essence of feeling lost and searching for meaning with a delicate touch, creating a work that is both poignant and deeply moving. The poem's honest tone and powerful imagery make it a truly memorable reading experience. You possess a remarkable talent for expressing profound emotional experiences with clarity and vulnerability. more »

"Echo of the Ravine" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant poem. You have captured the essence of feeling lost and alone with a delicate touch, creating a work that is both poignant and deeply moving. The poem's vivid imagery and honest tone make it a truly memorable reading experience. You possess a remarkable gift for expressing profound emotional experiences with clarity and impact. more »

"The Lost Peace" is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the feeling of inner turmoil and the search for lost tranquility with a sense of quiet desperation. You've effectively used stark imagery, a melancholic tone, and a sense of internal conflict to create a poem that resonates with the universal experience of feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world. more »

The lines "That’s why when we close our eyes, all we see is the darkness. / It’s only when memories surface where light finds its harness" effectively convey the speaker's understanding of memory as a source of illumination and meaning. The contrast between "darkness" and "light" poignantly highlights the transformative power of remembrance. more »

The strength of the poem lies in its ability to capture the raw and unfiltered emotions of a tumultuous relationship. You have skillfully employed repetition, stark contrasts, and a confessional tone to create a piece that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

"I love you, you hate me" is a powerfully crafted and emotionally resonant poem. You have encapsulated the essence of a complex and often painful relationship with a raw and honest voice, resulting in a work that is both poignant and deeply moving. The poem's direct tone and vivid imagery make for a truly memorable reading experience. You possess a gift for expressing complex emotional experiences with clarity and force. more »

"Accounts Will Be Settled" is a poem that strongly warns of spiritual danger and calls for introspection. You've effectively employed a straightforward, almost prophetic tone and a clear, concise structure to deliver a sobering and thought-provoking message. more »

"Queen Things" is a wonderfully assertive and empowering poem that celebrates self-love, resilience, and personal growth. You've crafted a piece that feels like a personal manifesto, a declaration of strength and independence that resonates with a clear and confident voice. more »

The concluding line, "The chains that bind us can be broken, if only we had the right tools," provides a glimmer of hope and a sense of agency. The image of "chains" powerfully symbolizes the speaker's sense of being trapped, while the phrase "right tools" suggests a path to freedom, even if it is not easily found.

"Anxiety" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant poem. You've captured the essence of this debilitating condition with a raw and honest voice, creating a poignant and deeply moving work. The poem's direct tone and powerful imagery make it a memorable reading experience. You have a gift for expressing complex emotional experiences with clarity and force. more »