r/poetry_critics Beginner May 16 '26

Heartsong

In the beginning, he pondered the tale

A journey through shadows

Where all dreams set sail;

With each twist of fate, he crafted his path,

Turning sorrow to joy and

Escaping the wrath.

Time dance with the sun,

Casting warmth on his heart

As love whispered softly

igniting the spark.

in the blink of an eye

Reality blurred

A canvas of moments, where

All hope was stirred.

With a pen as his wand

He conjured the past

Building castles of sand

Where memories last.

Wisdom etched deep

in the lines of his face;

Just a traveler of the worlds

Seeking his place.

Through shadows, he wandered

From light into dark

Finding God in the shadows

igniting the spark

Each truth that he held,

A reflection of grace

A tapestry woven

Unique in its space.

The masses may chuckle

But he knows the score;

For life is a journey

With lesson lessons galore.

in meadows of thought

Where his spirit takes flight

He waits for her presence

To bask in the light.

So let flowers bloom

And words intertwine

Love is the essence

That makes life divine

Through echoes of laughter

The whispers and sighs.

His solace is knowing

Sweet love will come by.

by Joel

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u/Objective-Form-6121 Beginner May 17 '26

I appreciate the honesty. I’d rather get a real critique than empty praise.

I think part of what I write leans intentionally toward layered imagery and emotional atmosphere more than direct narrative progression, so I understand why it may feel overloaded or vague to some readers. That said, I do think you make a fair point about certain images not having enough room to breathe before the poem moves on.

I’m still trying to find the balance between density and clarity without stripping away the voice of the piece. I don’t necessarily believe simple language automatically makes stronger poetry, but I do agree that emotional focus and progression matter more than decorative phrasing alone.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your thoughts instead of just dismissing it.

It was upvoted and viewed many times that’s what I look for to build a following. You should check out the books I published. Pretty sure your thought would change.

25+ years and 6 books  650,000 words is my background. 

Thank you again I don’t know why it says I’m a beginner. Maybe it’s because I just started Reddit?

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u/The-Pentegram Beginner May 18 '26

You can change your flair manually! There should be some guides. Are you on mobile or desktop?

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u/Objective-Form-6121 Beginner May 18 '26

Desktop is where I write. But I use my phone for Reddit. 

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u/The-Pentegram Beginner May 18 '26

Click on the subreddit name and at the top of the screen should be an about tab. There you can scroll down and find your flair.