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Hey, Ravena! This is Alex, here with the review I promised. I know it took me a while, I'm really sorry for that. You see, I was working on a short story idea for this fall weekend event. We'll see how that turns out, as I really do suck at short stories despite what my highschool answersheets might suggest. Anyways, enough with my nonstop yapping. Let's get the analysing!

I must say first that I loved the creative idea of substituting images for monotonous titles, I've never seen anything like this before! I was confused at first but it's such a unique choice, colour me impressed (though the images are black and white XD) already. I also LOVE the title, the alliteration and the aura it sets. It also goes along with the monochrome heading, complimenting the overall style really well.

So I'll take each poem separately to make sure I cover everything. Here it goes-

Noise

The contrast of arguments is extremely striking here. It's not turning a blind eye to the negative impacts of technology, while also acknowledging it's advantages. The paragraphs for both are clearly separated and well presented- that really helped make the structure tidy.

Knowledge and wisdom, passed on to the curious,
Warped truths and ignorance, passed on to the gullible

These lines were completely opposing, like inverted mirror images. It's a double edged sword and the similiar phrasing conveys that excellently.

A lattice of creativity, each a challenge to our limits
Beloved worlds and kin floresce from digital pages

This part appealed the most to me though. It's so figurative and metaphorical. 'Lattice or creativity' was especially innovative thinking on your part. The second line felt like it was an ode to YWS? at least that's how interpret it, there are a lot of heartwarming websites afterall.

Scenes that eyes would be lucky to witness, laid before us
Friendships and relationships, more possible than ever

These lines perfectly voiced the miracle that is technology. It shows us the world we miss and brings loved ones together- what is it if not magic?

Then in a flash, the bloom will wither into something wicked
A network of thorny roots, each trying to snag passing humans

The pace of the first line really caught me off guard as the change is depicted as quite drastic. The flower imagery with 'bloom', 'wither', 'thorn' and 'roots was particularly intriguing. I was surprised to notice you've skipped the flower altogether, and instead stated the bloom in itself to wither. I found it a very unique poetic choice to get across the feeling of ruin in a more direct manner. The metaphor lands so strong- the thorny roots in particular to signify how evil lies in the very foundation of internet.

Addictive patterns, designed to corrode our minds

The latent intentions are exposed in such crude language here. Its effortless simplicity makes it so much more effective.

All within a cold black sea, with depths uncharted

Very vivid! There's an eerie energy surrounding this scenery, as if something threatening to pull you in. 'With depth uncharted' really tells how we're oblivious to how bad things can really go.

We so often find ourselves surrounded by noise
But sometimes, I feel the desire to return to silence

Feels like we've been given a insider peek here. The narrator's choice feels rather conditional here. Are the choosing silence because they really like it or just because they're fed up with noise? I'm guessing it's the later and it so subtly suggests how they would've chosen the exact opposite if the tables were turned. It's not a desire of not admiration, but this specific circumstance. It becomes even more interesting how in the first stanza, their actions betray the said wish. They wang to return to silence but are not willing to put the noise away. Either they're chained in its shackles as well, or don't want to be the odd one out.

In conclusion, I think 'Noise' was a very straightforward piece of literature. It introduces us to its wonders and warns against its vice aspects. Both sides are argued equally well, from an impartial perspective. Though the narrator does add their own preference at last, of choosing the silence over this noise. As for suggestions, I did find the negative arguments were a bit difficult to comprehend due to the vast vocabulary. The points made also felt a little more generic if I compare them to varied aids of technology. But they're not much and probably just poor understanding on my part. In fact, a good vocabulary is actually commendable. I'm the one who should work on expanding mine instead.

The rivalry between knowledge and wisdom

Ah yes, the age old debate! Where I'm from we have a very similiar variant of knowledge v/s experience, but the reasoning is more or less the same.

They say knowledge is to know what is a true fruit,
Whereas wisdom is knowing which ones belong in a dish

The first line resonated so much! I remember learning just last year about false fruits and the concept in itself is so cool. Here are some examples- apples & pear (develop from thalamus), cashew (pedicel) and strawberries and pineapples (inflorescence, basically an entire bunch of flowers). It was just so fascinating to learn about! Personally, the second line felt odd? Like I know toadstools are poisonous, with genus amantia have the most deadly species- but this all heavily came from books and not self experimentation. How is one supposed to know something is not meant for the plate if it kills him in the process of checking? I'm just confused, there is a high chance I could be just misinterpreting now.

Wisdom, it seems to be a forgotten art
Misconceptions passed on from silver tongues

My thoughts exactly! Wisdom has been reduced to the inevitable window for scams. I agree, wrong words from famous people really go a long way in fueling existent superstitions. In my own opinion, the second line sounds better in the way I edited it but that's just my own preference. Your version does have more of a continuity in general though, so I suggest you keep it.

The accusatory stanza were astoundingly well written. They're such a great way to represent the distrust and hatred between the two sides. The points they make appear superficially logical, but are based on their prejudices.

The false and corrupt forms of both will go unchecked
The core of either will be lost in translation

I like how the result is in no side's favour. They've turned a blind eye to the validity of the opposing side and are bound to suffer because of it. Conflict of two equally great things has invited a fate of doom.

Overall, this poem explored a much series and deeper theme. With the help of arguments between the followers of knowledge and believers of wisdom, the reader is shown the destruction brought by a reluctance to compromise and unite. In a race to prove themselves superior, both sides have failed to bring the impact they should've. This actually reminded me of yet another one of your works 'Town's Boulder Problem'. They both have in common the stories of societal factions losing the purpose they started out with, in the heat of pulling those who don't agree with them, down. It seems to your speciality and makes these poetries so incredibly special. I don't have much suggestion for this one, you absolutely nail this particular type!

Timeless Truths

I'm guessing this reference is to late Queen Elizabeth? May her soul rest in peace. Being a 'baby in comparison' part was super relatable, both in age and wisdom. I don't know much of her but I saw a web series devoted to her and it really put her struggles and time into perspective for me. It could be that this queen you mention is not her, just some fictitious character. But I thought the implication was too obvious to ignore.

That is why this queen’s words, they spoke to me,
So many decades later, they cut through the noise
Of short-form content, rapid clicks, and doomist takes
All of it, noise—empty promises and shallow projections
It didn't compare to the message I had gleaned

I like how the narrative is almost going back to the previous poem- Noise. The overlap is very subtly executed.

I can sense how the narrator finds herself in the queen's shoes, even after all these years. As if all that the queen had faced back then, has returned to haunt the narrator. There's an uncanny resemblance in their mutual struggles with changing times and an upcoming new age. The queen appears a great front to voice and portray narrator's thoughts, rather indirectly.

I can see new ways being rejected without question
Just as I've seen old ways mocked and belittled for years

Again, I see a glimpse of the knowledge v/s wisdom poetry. All these poems are so amazingly connected in a surprisingly intricate manner.

But I can see youth, betrayed by new and embracing old
I can see a desire, to rediscover what we left behind

Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality of today. While people have a innate tendency to think of the other's side grass to be greener, there's no denying that humanity was in more alive some years ago. All these broken promises of a brighter future making the youth wanting to restore the earlier way of life is such a shattering idea to imagine.

And I've learned that old doesn't mean outdated,
That progress will come no matter what we do,
But when traditions are lost, our identity is too

I've always thought of biased narrators as a fascinating tool to explore complex themes. The narrative is clearly leaning here, but it doesn't completely erase the existence of the alternate opinions. I feel that is so difficult to inculcate in one's writing- to be neutral as you present both the sides but express your individual thoughts on the matter that align with a particular side. You've achieved this impeccably.

All in all, 'Timeless Truths' was a very original idea for a poetry. It uses the precedent of a Queen dealing with the changing tide to capture the narrator's present circumstance. Like the poem right before it, it talks about a timeless debate of 'keeping the old' or 'advance with the new'. The narrator is heavily drawn to one side but that's what makes the piece so personal. It's authenticity and logicality is really compelling. If I had to give some advice, it would probably be it could've been organised better. I see mentions of this queen sprinkled in a lot of the paragraphs and the arguments about the actual crossroads is also rather scattered. I think I'd have preferred it if the narrative was more focused. For example- one speaks of the queen and her speech, next talks about the present similiar situation and the other talk about the narrative's personal opinions on the matter. But that's just my own thinking, your style is obviously more natural and engrossing.

Unbridged Divides

The expert of prose also does splendid rhyming? This beautifully too, you're sure talented!

Sometimes, I can see the puzzle pieces
But the desire to connect them decreases

Hmm.. 'decreases' certainly does the job I guess but doesn't roll off my tounge that easily. It's not a perfect fit but maybe 'ceases' might sound better. It does not mean exactly the same though, so I'm not much sure of this suggestion. But I just thought I'd give you a choice, you can proceed with it however you like.

Between men, women, lover and friend
Reft from assumptions, no pity to lend

Did you mean rift? Because the google search says reft means to steal and I'm a little puzzled on how that fits here. I do have a very limited vocabulary though, so I'm sure you've used it right but I do need your help to get it XD.
Also, it felt odd than men and women used are plural nouns while lover and friend are singular forms. Just wondering if it wouldn't be more reasonable for the nouns' form to be consistent.

Between aged and young, new and old
Understanding is thin, and pity grows cold

To me, the repetition of the idea 'aged and young' and 'new and old' appears necessary. Taking in account they don't have a separate need their, they felt like filler words just to maintain the overall structure. This is just my take in on it of course, you're free to disagree. I also noticed that you have repeated the word 'pity' twice which makes it less impactful. I do have an alternate suggestion to consider-

Between the generations new and old
Understanding is thin, compassion runs cold

Between this party and that, red and blue,
Either loves to shame, bait, and words let skew

I think the word 'either' signals that only one of the party is being talked about here, but I think the behaviour shall correspond to both of them. Also the last three words look wrongly ordered. Here's my idea on how to fix it-

Between this party and that, red and blue,
Both love to shame, bait, and let words skew

Between walks of life shared, similar to compare

I feel the structure was altered to poetic but it looks like some part of it is.. hanging? I don't know how to describe it but I think this phrasing may bind it better -

Between shared walks or life, similiar to compare OR
Between walks of life- shared and similar to compare

Between family, sibling or parent, saddest yet
When concerns and fears are mistaken for a threat

Such touching lines! The vulnerability depicted is so delicate. A perfect depiction of- where there's care, there is bound to be worry. My favourite ones for this poetry, no doubt in that.

Sometimes, I wonder if I share in the guilt
God knows I try, but my resolve can still wilt

I like this vulnerable layer to the character very much. It sounds like they believe the burden of the the world lies on their shoulders. This feeling of being responsible makes them look pretty heroic. The closing lines couplet was awesome as well as it actually sounds ultimate, speculating the end.

In a nutshell, 'Undivided Bridges' really stood out from the rest of the series. The rhymes are soft, even if a little raw to serve. I don't think you've written much that rhymes so it was actually nice to see you step out your comfort zone, Ravena! The fresh glance into the narrator gives the character and added complexity. If I had to point out an area to improve, I'll probably say this piece could've used some more material to dazzle more. The ideas sounded mostly reiterative. I just think there wasn't much to say here, or perhaps it didn't get across. There is a possibility that I'm just overanalysing though, so go ahead and overlook this one if you yourself don't think so.

Assumptions

It feels like we hear what we want to hear
And assume we are righteous, no opposition exists

Humans are naturally self centred. To us, we're the only reality. It's understandable, in a way, as it is truly our own lens we use to see the world. But when the arrogance and superior gets to one's head is when downfall becomes inevitable. We crave support in our views and opinions. At a point, disagreement can look a lot like disrespect- weakening long standing bonds. These lines so easily capture the human want to be proven the only one right.

It feels like there are exceptions worth minding
Yet assume those exceptions are always the rule

I won't pretend like I could comprehend these lines completely. But I interpret it speaks of the destructive nature of generalizations. When we assume something, we cling back to what we know- some of them being stereotypes. The narrator mentions how assuming isn't always justified as things don't always fit our thinking of. Some things stand out and become the exception. But as soon as this possibility is introduced, the crowd to label everything an exception- which is also not true. So our assumptions are a mere mirror of our prejudices and generalizations are the dangerous batteries that power them.

The closing paragraph was so thought provoking! I loved how it took a philosophical turn. Assumptions are baseless without knowledge, something people don't often rely on and make them nevertheless. It was good the see the lines speak directly to the reader to establish understanding and explaining patiently with an example.

Summarising, this poem was a small treat thrown in with the others. I like how you use its short length to keep the theme more anchored. Taking a single idea and developing it from multiple sides, a classic you could never go wrong with. I do think the structure of this poem could've used a little more refining, but that's just some minor personal opinion of a nobody .

I must admit, I'm a huge fan of the prose you write. The huge vocabulary you posses plus the moving ideas make your work so special. Most poets use beautiful imagery to mesmerize the readers, but your stirring writing has its own way of engrossing us. I can almost tell from you're phrasing that poetry isn't your frontline form of expressing yourself. The longer sentences and story like elements are what make your creations all the more unique. Most of the concepts are easily to understand and adopt. The pieces where you use near political backgrounds to show dispute amongst factions ultimately end in no one's favour are my personal favourite to read as you certainly have a knack for writing them.

I apologise for the amount of time you had to wait for this. I genuinely wish that it is somewhat worth the while. Captivating poetry with flawless narration. It was my pleasure to review it for you. Hope I get to read more from you soon.