Validamine

Hey, redhood! This is Alex, back with another review.

Let's discuss the title first. First I thought it was just a fancy word with a specific meaning but my google search yielded no results. That got me thinking that perhaps it isn't an actual word, but something made up to signify things in the poem's context- seeking validation of others . I could spot the word 'validation' pointing to the first half. While researching, I found the suffix 'ine' to be used in the nomenclature of several drugs, so perhaps it's a metaphor for the drug like addicting nature of validation. Still couldn't figure out if the middle part of the word was just some random merging letters or meant something more. I'm not much confident in this interpretation though, so I'll appreciate some clarification.

To analyse more efficiently, I'll discuss the poetry by dividing it in different parts as per my convenience.

First off, the delusional lie:

Not wanting to confront the lies
And lived happily in my hallucinations

Personally, this are my favourite lines. We're introduced to the fictional world the protagonist chooses to live in, despite having doubts regarding it's real existence. Beautiful scenes are depicted- prairies with rainbows and daisies, fantastic imagery. There are also friends who's company the protagonist seems to enjoy as they hold each other's hands. Everything is perfect, but the intuition is restless. It is a luxury, which nothing more than a lie. The protagonist closes his eyes and ears to the reality as he indulges in a better stimulation. But the voice in the back of his head simply doesn't fade.

Next, the transition:
Earlier, the protagonist was too afraid to accept what really exists and what doesn't. But when things get dire and his world begins to fall, he must come to a difficult decision. We see how a simple resolve is enough to trigger change, as the protagonist gets pulled in another dimension the very next moment. The fear of this before uncharted space is obviously scary, giving rise to fear and confusion.

And could see nothing through my tears

This line was so effortlessly beautiful. A bit unrelated, but I find it a wonderful way of nature telling us to calm ourselves before proceeding further by blurring our vision, similiar to how emotionality can cloud logical judgements.
I liked the revelation that the one who pulled the protagonist into the darkness was.. just another version of the protagonist himself! It added a surreal touch to the story, diving into deeper topics.

Facing the truth:
It's inevitable. Run from your reality as much as you wish, but it will always succeed in chasing you down. A fogged up mirror will eventually clear and show thy true self. The reader is introduced the empty bottles of pills that were the cause for the mentioned hallucinations. Now that their effect wears off, we see the real world comes crushing down. The friends are replaced with knives in the back of the protagonist, suggesting betrayal in friendship. Each of the knife bears the name of the friend, making the wound feel much more worse.
There are no prairies, instead a floor on which lay several empty pill bottles which once contained the medications that made the protagonist feel better. The protagonist realises he's been a fool for trusting people blindly, to which his other version comforts him by assuring everything will be alright. Oh, to be comforted by yourself. We live in a world where even that is a privilege to many. We see the alternate version lead the protagonist to an unknown path. The protagonist pulled down the handle of door. What does it lead to is what instills curiosity in the reader. Is it to a brighter future? Is to therapy and getting over this addiction of hallucinations? Does it lead to path where the protagonist makes friends knowing they might betray him but chooses to hope for the better? We're not told and that is what makes the ending all the more amusing. What the reader knows though is that whatever awaits behind the door is worthwhile. It's like the light at the end of the long tunnel.

Overall, I found this a shattering poem describing a journey from choosing lies to accepting reality. A drastic change for the better. It takes a brave person to open one's eyes to the harsh truth and not just keep floating in the pretty and comfortable fabrications of the mind. There's a vulnerability in hitting rock bottom and a courage in getting up from it. Walking on a path towards the improved future, such a hard but strong task! The ambiguous ending leaves the reader afloat in the fog of hope and a brighter tomorrow, rising from the burning addictions like a phoenix. It was a pleasure reviewing this poem, hoping to read more from you soon.

Hello, My Friend!

Pleasure to meet you! My name is Raven, and upon spotting this lovely piece in the Green Room, I thought I'd give it a review!

To start, WOW! The story being told here is not only tragic, and doesn't hold back in its imagery, but it feels like something too many people can—sadly—relate to. It seems like external validation can be downright addicting, for better or worse...Which is also why I love the title. "Validamine." That alone says so much.

But anyway, diving into the grit of the story, I love the metaphors you chose to use. It almost gave the piece a Gothic feeling. How you write about using imagination to pretend everything is okay, even equating it to a hallucination. That gave me goosebumps! The way it describes living in this illusion of validation, until you make a choice for yourself and wake up...Then things get real dark real fast—the lines about the hand suddenly ripping you away, staring at knives in your own back, the pills calling back to that title, and finally having to pick yourself up from such a brutalized state...That entire sequence felt so powerful, and said so much. Truly, amazing!

*ahem* As for a more technical review, I don't have anything to recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed the substance, and with the free verse style, there's no particular pattern or rhyme scheme to nitpick. If I absolutely had to recommend anything, I would probably point to this...

“The pills…The pills made us feel better. It made us forget…”

The metric did feel just a little bit off here, because the line is so much longer than others. Maybe splitting that into two lines, or shortening it, could help the flow of things a bit. But again, that's just a tiny nitpick. Likewise, I am not a pro at writing OR reviewing poetry, so please take any advice from me with a grain of salt. This piece rocks just the way it is!

Alright, here is where I point out favorite parts, but I mean, where to even begin?! Hm, to start, I would say...

However, there was always a voice

Telling me that I was simply a toy

I loved this subtle yet eerie turn in the beginning. Not only a great form of foreshadowing, but the wording, a toy. Though sad, what a perfect analogy considering the overarching theme.

Tens of knives were sticking out from my back

Each one labeled with the names of my “friends”

I...have no words. Just wow. Tragic, and the imagery here, it's beautiful in the sense that what it represents is so real, but horrific at the same time. And again, reminds me of Gothic poetry.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.” I said,

Taking my hand and leading myself to a room

I loved this turn in the story. Picking yourself up from such a state, it gives the feeling that you become your own form of validation. Beautiful ~

Overall, that was absolutely incredible! Great work!