Young Writers Society

Hey there! It's ZeldaIsShiek here to review another quintessential piece of literature that made my day and win this Review Day by helping the Red Pandas stay in first place and reaching my goal of 80 reviews. I might even get to 100, if I work hard enough. I am really excited to review this amazing piece of art that you have created, and maybe add some witty humor as well. Anyway, that's enough idle chatter from me. Let's get into the review.

This poem is very deep and takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. There are many ways of interpreting this poem that could be correct, but my interpretation is complex, and I will be trying out a new style of reviewing today. Shall we give it a try?

Hi Misery! Welcome to YWS! I'm Ellie and I'm here to review.

I really like the idea behind this. Even thought you say in the poem that it isn't a leaky faucet, that's how I visualized this; the sound of the faucet punctuating the silent tension between the narrator and the subject.

I was a little confused as to what their relationship was. I pictured that they were sisters, although I don't know if there was anything specifically that indicated this. I would make sure that it's clear. I'm not even sure where they are. Are they in the kitchen? The bathroom? Why would the door be locked?

I'm also a little unsure as to what happened at the end. I think clarifying it, really painting a picture of this small moment in time, will help.

Small notes --

I slide down the wall and feel the cold floor underneath me

Thanks for sharing. The poem provides fascinating visual and auditory imagery. This makes the poem very interesting to read and kept my attention fixed. It also creates drama. Two strangers in a bathroom creates the issue of privacy and personal space. The locked door adds to the tension as do the shouting voices outside the bathroom. There is also the dripping faucet and cracked mirror that the speaker's father seems to have neglected.

Of course as poets we do want our readers to be affected in some way by what we write. We might be aiming to create a mysteriously, enigmatic mood,where fascination is more important than meaning. That's the impression that I got from this poem since try as I might I could only come away with the following questions.

What is the speaker doing in the bathroom with the girl?

Why does he have the need to be comforted by her presence?

Why does the speaker have to slide down a wall in order to reach the floor?

Where was he perched?

Why is the mirror fractured and what does it mean?

If he was indeed perched the the original statement of standing before him has to be viewed differently.

Why does't stranger, a female, react to his intrusion?

Why are thee shouts outside the bathroom?

Why is the speaker crying?

Why does the speaker feel comforted by the stranger's presence.

What is the meaning of the cockroach crawling under the locked door besides indicating the substandard living conditions.?

Aside from creating an enigmatic mood-what other meaning can the dripping have?

Is the stranger the girl's own reflection that she doesn't identify with?

Actually, it is all those unanswered questions which give the poem its charm and its interpetational depth.