Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

C.S.Scotkin asked in Arts & HumanitiesPoetry · 1 decade ago

would you care to comment on this poem?

A BRIEF QUESTION FOR THE UNIVERSE’S CHIEF OF PROTOCOL

By C.S. Scotkin

When pain comes and visits

like a chain saw in a primeval wood

or like a flame thrower

in a garden filled with straw flowers,

is one obliged to be

a geisha with serenity

painted perfectly on her face,

ignore such dreadful manners

or should one ask the perpetrator

to leave…

Update:

You are right. A question mark would be better. You may teach me anytime. The more I learn, the more I find I have to learn. After a full 18 months of illness, surgeries, and finally retirement forced on me, I'll have the time to learn!

2 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Your "pain" similes illustrate the horror of physical pain for the reader. The final question, personifying the "perpetrator" needs a capital letter, in my opinion, as well as a final question mark, rather than an ellipsis, which indicates that you have more to say. I find that this poem says what it needs to say and therefore should have a final stop.

    I have said that I won't teach on this site, but since you and I are relatives, I make an exception for you. The poem is filled with metaphor and depth. Many newcomers will claim that they do not understand it.

    I am especially delighted at your title. I believe that a title is the "hook" to catch hold of a potential reader.

  • 1 decade ago

    very poignant poem Celina

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.