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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Critique/Review (for writers) (05/06/10)
Red ink runs rampant over my precious piece.
I let loose my heart with fine words and phrases,
Thought through every dash and semicolon;
Wrote short sentences and long,
Carefully concerned about rhythm and flow,
Yet here it sits,
Bleeding on my desk,
And I am broken.

Oh, what power a reviewer’s pen holds!
A brutal weapon, it wounds a hopeful heart.
A magic wand, it buoys the eager ego
And makes a party for the exulting soul.

We are our writing.
To write a line and expose it to the world
Is a fearsome and courageous thing.
To admit, “I wrote a poem”,
Or “I want to write a book”
Makes us fragile in a frightful way.
To offer it up for review is terrifying.
And we hold our breath
Until the verdict comes.

Am I worthy or am I not?
Is my gift real or only desired?
Do I move forward, or kill the dream?
The reviewer holds the key,
Not just to future work,
But to my very self.

Yet I must write, to be myself.
God gives a gift for kingdom use.
I cannot bow to damaged pride
And leave it on that pile of broken dreams.
So use your weapon or use your wand.
Be honest and be kind.
My God will heal the wounds
When he sees fit
And use the gift he gave
as he had planned.
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This article has been read 924 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
AnneRene' Capp
05/13/10
Great Poem, Great Job! You spoke the heart of every writer. Especially liked your phrase: cannot bow to damaged pride, which will continue to carry you up the ladder to successful writing.
Terry Lee
05/14/10
I loved this! You captured the writer's critique angst beautifully. I was amused throughout the entire poem, which held clever lines like, "bleeding on my desk"

In answer to the question, "Do I move forward, or kill the dream," I say Wagons Ho! Keep the dream, and your talent alive.
veronica cressey 
05/15/10
A wonderful, heartfelt article, indeed! Through your clever writing, you possibly expressed how we all feel when our work is up for critique.
Well done!
PamFord Davis 
05/15/10
Beautiful images into the heart, mind and spirit of a writer...
Maria Egilsson
05/16/10
My favourite phrase was:

Is my gift real or only desired?

Yet, not matter what the answer there is still the compulsion to keep writing. What a dilemna!
Great job.
Avigail David
05/16/10
Well done in your writing, fellow writer! I can identify with you with this line: cannot bow to damaged pride, which will continue to carry you up the ladder to successful writing. God bless you richly in your writing to magnify our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you.

Mildred Sheldon
05/16/10
Beautifully written and so true. I enjoyed this very much.
Kate Oliver Webb
05/20/10
A really lovely piece here; you expressed emotions all of us have felt, but I doubt I could have said it as well as you have. Excellently done and very impressive.
Dusti (Bramlage) Zarse
05/21/10
I honestly don't know much about poetry, but what I do know is that as a piece of writing I loved this! I loved the emotion behind it. I loved the word pictures. I loved the vulnerability. I loved it!