Comment Topic: Comment on what you believe is the underlying message behind these poems.

The most beautiful thing about poetry is that it can evoke some of our deepest thoughts and emotions. There are many ways to analyze a poem and there usually isn't a right or wrong answer because we analyze poetry based on our own life experiences. Let's see where these poems take you.

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Poet #1: A7smarts

Book Link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/36926725-the-one-who-watches

Specified Chapter: When One Is In Need 6 (chapter 6)

Summary Thus Far in Book: One last chance to see her Watcher. One last chance to tell him that he is her Watcher so. If she does not tell him soon, she will have to let him go.

Author's Note: A Watcher is a higher, refined form of a guardian angel.

Genre: Poetry

Winning Comment: I'm not a huge critique of poetry so please hang in here with me. At first I was confused of what was going on so I went back and read the other chapters and they were really nice.

I found in this one you went away from the motif of the branches and moved to water which looking at a holistic approach confused me a little.

Although I found the line "The knowledge of his presence on it's way was the fuel that kept me pumping" rather poignant and summed up the chapter. I don't quite know what a watcher is but I'm assuming the meaning behind this chapter is they feel like they are losing the person they are fighting for hence all the swimming but they really haven't and the person is protecting them.

I noticed that you had a double spacing thing going on here which as a neurotic person slightly annoyed me but this is a personal choice thing.

I feel that the swimming is a metaphor for something but I can't work out whether it is a sink or swim thing or just something the person is doing.

(From this review you can probably see that poetry critiquing is not my strong suit...sorry I've been trying to gain some clarity but overall I'm confused. People a little more perceptive than me will probably get what you mean)

That last line really packed a punch and that was nice to read so good job :) - euphoriaseeker

Follow this Winner: euphoriaseeker

1st Runner Up: JovyLow6

2nd Runner Up: TheRecklessRebel

Final Author's Note: What a great round, this was tons of fun. Thank you everyone ^_^

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Poet #2: tamoja

Book Link: https://www.wattpad.com/159243252-poetry-strung-from-synapses-utopia-stained

Specified Chapter: Utopia Stained

Summary Thus Far in Book: N/A

Author's Note: Feel free to comment even a feeling you got while reading. I hope one came to you, that is, in my opinion, the only thing that makes writing good. Evoking an internal spark or connection of any kind. Thank you for your time.

Thanks for reading. Here are some thoughts I came up with for you amazing people!

Do you feel the poem spoke in declaration? Anger? Or hope?

Do you think the lover of utopian perfection can accept the new view by understanding it's purpose?

What do you think the wine and the tablecloth symbolize, if anything?

Genre: Poetry

Winning Comment: When I first read your poem, the most prominent image that came to mind was the "marring" of someone's innocent. The audience is someone who has idealistic thoughts about a particular subject-or maybe even about life-and that the speaker introduces alternate thoughts that stain that innocent/pristine mindset. Almost like when we find out Santa wasn't real XD hahaha.

Marring has such a negative connotation but I think in this instance, the marring is neither good nor bad. It just is. And that's where the remorseless tone comes from. I mean, sure, in some way, the loss of innocence can be a terrible thing, dependent on the situation, but I also believe that the introduction of thought is what you make of it-you can either grow and mature or you can remain stagnant and bitter, but you can never go back because by "covering your innocence with my stain...it will not wash".

With the introduction of the new thought or idea, the original thought and the new "melded and merged", becoming newness. The two thoughts combine to form something different, something more mature, and is no longer a thought and then another, but a "shading" between two ideas.

To answer your questions:

1st question: I felt like the speaker of your tone was neither hopeful nor angry but more remorseless and jaded.

2nd question: This is definitely a tough concept to have a singular answer for because there are so many factors. A person's ability to adapt, how open a person's mind is to alternate thought, etc etc. Imagine the uproar when they discovered the world wasn't really flat or any other controversial topic of today. They can either fight it, accept it, or rationalize to form a new thought-it really is based upon the individual.

3rd question: The tablecloth-based on my above interpretation-is a person's basis of thought, their innocent and untainted thought while the wine is the introduction of something new that may "stain" the tablecloth. - PipSqueeks88

Follow this Winner: PipSqueeks88

1st Runner Up: Holly_Gonzalez

2nd Runner Up: KaraMichelleBooks

Final Author's Note: Ok. This was incredibly difficult because so many (ok all) NBR participants are amazing and think at a much higher level than I do. One person even had me searching the dictionary lol. I can't believe how much this poem brought out in your thoughts and am star stuck that this whole experience happened. My greatest hope for all of you is that you realize poetry speaks to everyone exactly how it's supposed to. Whatever it says to you is what it's meant to say. Unless your in a class or an NBR challenge, just enjoy that inner voice and let the poem make you feel which is its only job. That being said, Dawn insists on a winner (against my judgement) so here is what I have come up with aside from sadness at not giving you all ribbons for making me feel so amazing :

3- holly Gonzales. Because when you said a new shade of being, an awakening I yelped. That is my poem in a nutshell

2-koramichellebooks - because you answered all the questions and stole my heart at your insight and kindness

Winning for me was pipsqueaks88. She answered every question presented, fully grasped the essence I had for the poem and spoke of "2 thoughts combining into one". Which is my greatest vision and reason for writing the poem at all.

Truth serum: I wrote this poem while in a fight with my husband. I was frustrated at his constant belief that he is always right about everything and I'm always wrong. So I thought, even if it were true as married people, he is automatically in the wrong and I am automatically in the right AND vise versa because we are joined as one. The ending was about me not being apologetic for who I am, for what makes me well, me.

Thank you all so much for your insight and time and amazing comments. Thank you Dawn for making me a part of your wonderful group. It was an honor.

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Poet #3: CaraMel23

Book Link: https://www.wattpad.com/57545777-alchemy-of-water-wattys2015-sandcastles

Specified Chapter: Sandcastles

Summary Thus Far in Book: N/A

Author's Note:

1. Which lines or images are the most effective in evoking the speaker's grief?

2. What do you think the sandcastles represent?

3. I have been contemplating changing the ending. How do readers react to the two closing lines? Should I keep the last two lines or delete them and why?

Genre: Poetry

Winning Comment:

This poem is open to various interpretations

Lovers lost, the cycle of life, attraction and its complications

For me, it seems to represent a futile love filled with loss and pain

She creates her castles of sand, her images of beauty, again and again

Yet the wave rolls in, fierce and beautiful, washing over and crushing

To me it is him seeing her, taking her, leaving her blushing

And then the wave sinks away, leaving behind ruin without a care

After getting what he wants, he abandons her to solitude and despair

Yet, she holds on to hope and doesn't surrender

Determined to live out her dream in total splendor

He comes back, because she is willing to take him

But he never stays, he cares not for her, leaving on a whim

He comes for the castles she builds with such care

These castles represent her beauty, her attractive flair

But, as a wave comes and goes

So does he, leaving behind tear-filled prayers and woes

That is how I read this, be it correct or not

This is a great poem and I'll tell you what

Though you may doubt its ending, perhaps question its conclusion

Cancel those thoughts, dispel this illusion

It is beautiful as it is now, at least to me

I say do nothing, leave it be

You have talent and you have skill

In the end, however, this work is yours, so do with it as you will

This was a great read, through and through

I only hope that this pitiful excuse of a reply does not offend you

- GreatGustav

Follow this Winner: greatgustav

1st Runner Up: wrightstory

2nd Runner Up:ktflynn

Final Author's Note: It was difficult to choose one winning comment from so many brilliant responses that I received on my poem. In the end, I decided that it would be fitting to choose a comment written in rhyming couplets for this round of critiques on poetry. GreatGustav did a great job in summing up the themes of my poem and he managed to do so in a lively and entertaining manner. The only thing I would change is his last line, because his poetic reply was certainly not a "pitiful excuse." It was original, creative, and a pleasure to read.

I enjoyed reading all of the comments, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to have one of my poems featured in