Dead Boy.

So this is the first poem I have read that wasn't created by a famous author, and I loved it. I have to admit that the images as I read your poem was amazing, so vivid and bright. I have only had this feeling with few poems, but this this was amazing it had warmth and colour. It also had the brisk chills that are needed in a poem. In other ways I am saying I love your poem and I hope I can read more of them in the future.

Yo, Willard! Since I've gotten into the habit of reviewing your poems, I thought there wouldn't be any reason to stop now. So, feel free to groan or criticize my exuberant optimism and I share a few of my thoughts.

But yeah, I do like this poem. It's vivid, colorful, and the topic is fascinating. You do an exceptional job of establishing your array of images and scenes (particularly the fossils and the moon, which I kept envisioning in some kind of black and white pattern for some reason) through your powerful descriptions. Needless to say, I'm also impressed with your usage of metaphors and your ability to convey a lot in a few words. There's something to be said about the poet who decided to up and write a poem about his feeling his ribcage a lot, and make it work. In particular, "toy piano" was an interesting, though incredibly accurate, description, as was the final stanza, which I honestly think drove the point home. Also, I suppose that lump to the right might be the heart? Regardless, I love how the narrator wonders about its vulnerability, seems to express the confidence that it won't die, and then becomes more careful about touching it. And did I mention the final stanza? There's something about the wax museum description and "total cavity protection" that seemed to tie back to that concept of immortality and concern, particularly given the ability of wax to bend (and how easily it can burn). So, when it comes to your major emotional descriptions across the piece, I'm impressed. As usual, nicely done!

Beyond that, there isn't much I can offer in the realm of criticisms (and it's also fairly late in the night for me, so I don't want to kill you with my endless conversations). I personally am not sure what the point of Astronomy class was, given how easy it is discussed and brushed aside in the first line, and never explained or thought of again. In that regard, I must say that you have a comparatively awkward and weak ending in comparison to the rest of the piece, although you improve rapidly. Nevertheless, while you maintain your typical style and evocative imagery, it is exceptional as it has always been, and comes across as well-developed and original. So, nicely done! I'd apologize and say I can't be much more help - and, perhaps because I try to maintain relatively wide standards for anything that I read, perhaps I'm not - but what would be the point in denigrating anything that I've already said, particularly when you know that I distinctly like your work? Thanks for this poem, and great job!