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Message to Readers
I completed the poem that I plan to submit to Scholastic this year. Though, I'd like some peers to review it. Thank you.
Peer Review
I LOVE poems about fall. Being my favorite season, fall poems just always so beautifully capture what I see right outside my window and twist it into something new, remarkable, and unique. Your poem does that for me.
As a quick note, it might be a good idea to include what Branta canadensis is in the footnotes of your submission, since there are always going to be those who aren't familiar with scientific names. I love how you bring up your family and your relationships with other people in this poem. Maybe you could deepen this part of the poem. I saw all your stanzas are six lines... Just in case you happen to suffer from this unfortunate conundrum, don't feel trapped by a specific length. Just write. But if you like your stanzas at six lines, great; keep them that way. I also read through Anlee's review, and I agree with all of her comments.
Reviewer Comments
So cool you're submitting to Scholastic! I myself have submitted writing for their competition in the past (I've been mildly successful in my endeavors), and I have just a few tips:
First, I'd recommend taking a look at winning poetry from last year (you can find it on Scholastic's online gallery) just from an intellectual point of view. Reading past work, especially poetry, can sometimes act as further inspiration for your own.
Second, try reading your work out loud, like you're going to perform it, and then edit where it sounds weird. I've found that this really helps with the flow of a piece. And, especially in poetry, flow is very important.
Finally, work this piece until the imagery pours itself into the readers' hands. Make them salivate. Make them want more.
Best of luck,
Ibex