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Dear Me,
Will you be at your home,
When I come past your home,
On this coming Tuesday?
It is quite strange isn’t it?
How any one Tuesday,
Like this coming Tuesday,
Can it be on its way?
That a specific day,
Is soon catching a bus,
And is stopping off here
Or at least, very near.

Will it travel by carriage?
Stop by for a friend’s marriage?
Stay in a nice public house?
Visit a bookstore or inn?
Would Tuesday travel with Monday?
Unlikely. Monday is such a loner.

So then, how have you been?
Me? Well? I’m all at sea,
I trust that you are not,
At sea, we’ll have to see.
If I can find my self
Through the forest of trees,
In your neck of the woods,
Then trust, that’s where I’ll be
We can talk all about
All the day’s bads and goods,
In your neck of the woods.
Please, please, oh please don’t hang,
Hang your neck in the woods.
You’ve been distant lately.
I have missed you greatly.
I read your last letter,
All the words bundled up,
I hope things get better.
I remember the tree.
The one that you planted,
Was taken for granted
Did that planted tree grow?
Survive the winter snow,
With leaves all bundled up?
Covered from head to toe,
With its mittens and muffs
And should the chill wind blow,
Come into the kitchen,
Come in from the cold snow.

I hope it turns out right.
I’ll be there Tuesday night.
With my thoughts bundled up
Look at you, look at me.
We are both, all at sea
Best wishes, fondest regards
Dear Me.

Critique by Alexis Ingram

Based on the poem’s reflective and personal nature, as well as its free verse structure with a consistent syllable count, “Dear Me” by Francis Winifred seems to align with the Confessional Poetry school. Confessional poetry is known for its focus on the poet’s personal experiences, emotions, and thoughts, often presented in a direct and introspective manner.

Critique:

Strengths:

  1. Introspection and Emotional Depth: The poem delves into personal reflection, conveying feelings of longing, distance, and self-exploration.
  2. Imagery and Metaphor: The use of imagery, such as “forest of trees” and “neck of the woods,” creates a vivid and relatable picture for the reader.
  3. Consistent Structure: Except for the first and last lines, maintaining a 6-syllable pattern per line gives the poem a rhythmic consistency.