Michael J. Cluff's E-Mail Address: baleen@rccd.cc.ca.us
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Below you will see ALL of the Critiques that Michael J. Cluff has given on The Poetic Link.
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Displaying Critiques 1 to 8 out of 8 Total Critiques.| Poem Title | Poet Name | Critique Given by Michael J. Cluff | Critique Date |
| haiku (snowplow) | Joanne M Uppendahl | I really like the use of alliteration at the start of the second line and the subtle use of the same device in "waste" and "kisses"--- very effective and engaging. The first line feels a wee bit rough on the aural level,especially with 'snowplow' being the last two syllables of the line. Alkthough it's effective, I think the line would sound much better than it already is if you moved "snowplow" to the opening of that line. The title's inclusion of "snowplow' seems a bit unnecessary/repetitious since it is used again in the first line. The centering of the poem is intriguing and effective and I love the last line in its ability to emphasize the color of the snow in such a way where the monochromatic nature of the scene dominates as it does in an Ansel Adams photograph. Excellent, excellent work as always and I hope these minor suggestions are helpful. | 2005-06-28 17:12:26 |
| unittled | Rachel F. Spinoza | Love the title, so witty and urbane. You catch the essence of life in SoCal so well and therefore this piece seems like Baudelaire's "Fleurs de Mal" --- the beauty and corrupt existing side by side. Wonderful middle line. Ain't this the one you have in your front yard, that flithly beast leaking petals onto cars like unchecked oil drips!!! The political book should "p" some people, don't you think? Hi Jane Day wherever you are | 2005-06-08 13:30:10 |
| Search and Seizure in the Ache of Day | Rachel F. Spinoza | Very good use of imagery here, especially in the middle two stanzas. Nice visual energy displayed in the last several lines of the concluding stanza and the double meaning of the last line of the poem works very nicely from my perspective. Wonderful use of alliteration throughout the piece as exemplified by the "d" sound in the opening stanaza and "c", "s" and "v" in the last. I like the allusion to property repossession and how you see it in a negtive light as illustrated by the last two lines in stanza two. The unicorn is an apt touch and image here and establishes a feeling of wistful abandonment here that grabs and holds the heart of the reader hard and fast. The use of "designing" in front of the flowers in line four of the first stanza works nicely although it may personify the flowers in a way that may divert more grammatically-inclined and literal readers. "Distressed oak"--- fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. | 2004-03-18 17:23:32 |
| haikuhaiku | Regis L Chapman | You capture the "haikuist's" dilemma here in a witty and inviting way. The title has a sly, playful feel to it that is ingratiating. The use of rhyme, although not classical format, adds to the playfulness of the work and elevates it to a higher level of meaning and depth in that the theme seems to decalre iteslf here as being a comment on the demands of the form may cause one to become overwhelmed in the act of composing a haiku yet the wonder and joy of creating a piece from such a limiting form can be invigorating and full of joy. The use of "f" alliteration works quite nicely and gives/adds a great sonic feel to the piece. The wittiness and implications found in the second line are very nicely done/veiled as well. | 2004-02-15 14:35:15 |
| Truth | Rachel F. Spinoza | Bravo first of all for submitting this piece. Gibson is becoming a liberal's ,and really of humanity's, nightmare and should not continue his poelmics unquestioned. The sonnet form of the piece works nicely in underlying the theme of the piece that huamne insight can do wonders under the eye and oppression of the powerful be it the media or government. I would like to see another term in lieu of "a sort" which weakens the line for me somewhat. The rhyme of "real" and "surreal" in lines nine and eleven works beautifully as does the rhyme in lines one and three as well as "shark" and "ark". I am teased by the hyphen in +Boat-less" in a pleasant and thought- provoking way. I would aslo like this to appear in any subsequent versions of "The Disputation" since it fits into that document nicely and firmly places your part of that sonnet series into the 21 st century squarely and engagingly. The use of the rhetoric question over the first four lines of the piece was a great touch in that it takes an assertive position on the "gentleman" in question without being aggressive and belligrent as could happen in less capable poetic hands. The alliteartion of "v" in line thirteen was a great idea as well. The last two words of the piece were fantastic and the prefect coda(as it were) to highlight the point of this important piece of writing. | 2004-02-12 14:33:01 |
| Waiting in the Cradle (revised) | Rachel F. Spinoza | I find this poem to be highly effective in its originality and vitality as expressed beautifully by the unique images/similes found in the first and last two lines (..."Cleopatra's nose.") of the piece. The use of body parts is wonderfully done by the poem's reliance on the more unpredictable,yet highly evocative and appropraite choices made here as in the third line of the work ( "dimple in her knee"). The feeling of hopefulness and the idea that each individual change shape the future in important ways is done with a sure and supple touch. The shift in exactness and expert use of minute perfect details to a more universal and interesting statemnent of the human condition was achieved effortlessly and with great impact. The rhyming of "suppose" and "nose" was a great touch as well. Give my best to Amanda and her mom for me and tell her I am glad she has decided to join us here on this terrestial orb. | 2003-08-28 18:15:11 |
| japanese verse 22 (Water Lilies) | Erzahl Leo M. Espino | I like the use of imagery here and how it nicely implies the picture it wants to construct, and does effectively and efficiently, in the reader's mind. The use of "p" and "s" alliteration is also integral to the effectiveness of the work. The use of "keen" in the second line was a great touch as well. I think "stars" may be a bit too predictable a word to end the piece on but I do see why it may haave been utilized a la the syllable count of a haiku. Very evocative,sensual and thought-provoking. | 2003-08-27 17:29:45 |
| Day Time | Rachel F. Spinoza | Nice birthday piece for Ms. Day. The use of "time" as a refrain in the first line of each stanza nicely reinforces to celebratory nature of the work quite nicely. The subtle use of end off rhyme, primarily in the odd numbered lines of each stanza was a great touch as well. I especially love the imagery and intensity of the last two lines in the second stanza. The alliteration of the "t" sound in the first two words of the first line of the first two stanzas worked well too as did the use of "l" alliteartion in the last line of the second stanza. The beat of the piece also has a skating-like feel to it that adds greatly to the overall atmosphere of this work. A laudatory piece that celebrates the situation it describes perfectly and precisely and also captures the moment nicely. Bravo as always, Oak Glen girl!! | 2003-08-14 17:51:00 |
| Poem Title | Poet Name | Critique Given by Michael J. Cluff | Critique Date |
Displaying Critiques 1 to 8 out of 8 Total Critiques.
If you would like to view all of Michael J. Cluff's Poetry just Click Here.