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This Poem was Submitted By: Latorial D. Faison On Date: 2005-05-19 15:46:47 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Who Was Reetika?

not just another poet trying to let you know it striving to be sane nourished by a name decades of memories defined by histories thoughts of death and literary wealth closing little eyes before closing her eyes she ventured into the deep leaving poems for us to keep

Additional Notes:
Reetika Vazirani was educated at Wellesley College and received her M.F.A. from the University of Virginia. Her poems have appeared in AGNI, The Kenyon Review, Meridian, Paris Review, Ploughshares, and others. Born in India in and raised in Maryland, she had served as writer-in-residence at The College of William and Mary and part of the core faculty of the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshops. Reetika Vazirani died on July 16, 2003. It was reported that she committed suicide after taking the life of her young son fathered by Yusef Komunyakaa (Pulitzter Prize winning esteemed Black poet). I love her poetry. Tragedy!

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark D. Kilburn On Date: 2005-06-07 07:22:11
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Latorial, I will have to look her up as I was ignorrent of this poet. Your poem is really an excellent tribute to her. Very well written. Closing little eyes before her own, how sad. Fantastic ending and I have absolutely no suggestions except that maybe this poem should be read by more people than are on the link. Great Job. mk

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-06-02 23:19:35
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
I beleive that I have read this, re-read it and then again. It is haunting. You have used so few words to convey so much. Each step of the way I could visualize this womans essence amd the trials she must have gone through. When I came to the part of: "closing little eyes before closing her eyes " my heart was already breaking and tears were forming in my eyes. You have given a great rememberance of a woman that would have been an honor to know. Thank you for sharing this with us humble readers.

This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-05-29 14:05:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.41935
Unfortunate that women have to suffer PPD. It's not easy and I "assume" this is what happened. Thanks for bringing her to my (our) attention as I have not heard of her before. Your piece is succinct and well laid out in the 2 lines format. So, your question is now answered. Thanks.

This Poem was Critiqued By: charles r pitts On Date: 2005-05-21 11:43:10
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
as a history buff, i am intrigued to look further into this woman's life as your poem and notes (thanks 4 them by the way) left me with some curiosities. your topics are always so refreshing and your delivery is point-blank. u give me food for thought... ever-thankful, charlie

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-05-20 00:22:53
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.84211
How does one respond to such a poem Poet..........this one is deep from within your heart........good structure, word flow, emotionally packed yet making certain you understood Reetika was a woman of character, a great artist in her own right, closing little eyes before closing her eyes.....how difficult this must have been for her ......it is hard for anyone to know or understand what does happen in someone's mind when they do something like this....Reetika certainly was a well educated woman......and her legacy in poetry shall live on forever. Thanks for posting and sharing with us.....God Bless, Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-05-19 21:21:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.80000
Hi Latorial, I never knew of Reetika before reading this poem and I'm glad I have this opportunity. It's also a matter of of special interest to note that she was born in India. I've noticed (and this piece only adds to that trend) that most poets or writers and others involved in the arts have had to live through tragedies or be devoured by them. I guess that's what makes them such good mediums of expression. In my case (not that I come close to any of them!! :-)), I too have had my share of pitfalls and it is the tragedy of living that spurs the desire to express. Once again, you've used excellent poetic technique to bring her story to light in the fewest of words. I especially liked verse 4 -'thoughts of death/and literary wealth'. Isn't this stark? And it's often very sad that most of our great poets have achieved greatness through expressing their miseries. Good job!! Take Care, Duane.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2005-05-19 19:11:03
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
A common theme amongst the extremely gifted. Unfortunate, but very common. Look at all the artists who determined that life was no longer worth living. Wonder what they saw? tom

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