Thank you very much for: Thank you very much for taking the time to read and analyze this poem of mine. Much gratitude for the generous remarks, as well. My apologies for not responding much sooner, I have been away from postpoems for far too long.
Thank you, Patricia. As: Thank you, Patricia. As always, your thoughtful and kind review is a appreciated, pleasant find. I wish the inspiration to pen, as you put it, an attempt at a "razor-sharp skewering" of the war-lauding corporate press wasn't a necessity. But, perhaps, never has it been more required that we see how captured by money and power the pen can be, and free it, ourselves.
p/s Sorry that I did not write you back with proper gratitude, sooner. I have been away from postpoems far more often - and longer - than I would like. Hoping to change that this coming season.
All the best to you
Perhaps : This was too densely compressed, the Swan being likened to a (far) cousin of the duck genus and a caterpillar chrysalis in one go, recalling the tale of the "ugly duckling"
Clearly the mark of a genius.: Clearly the mark of a genius. It's absolutely exceptional, the awkward first stanza, and then the scene conjures beautifully with just a couple perfectly placed words, and the last line that commands a full swing bringing you back up to the title for a sort of ouroboros epiphany!!! Unbelievable, dude, and it was certainly a honor to have had the privilege to witness.
Question: was it your: Question: was it your intention to invoke a very vampiric sense of dread? Again, I love the rubber ducky and the contrast it endows to the otherwise rather eerie nature of the poem.
Ahhh, there's that flawless: Ahhh, there's that flawless dialogue. You hit all the right notes. The hammer swings, the brass bell dings! Hi-score! You know it's good when you couldn't delineate if it's fact or fiction. The grace of language blends the mundance with your signature sparkle, sister. Yup.
duckling's cousin...: duckling's cousin... interesting... i suppose they do both flutter, one maybe more so than the other... but ducks flounder not just in flight but say as they may be bathing in a lake... lots of big words followed with that last line of sudden punching whimsy to seal the deal...
That amazing figurine avatar: That amazing figurine avatar is what drew me to view your page, and let me tell you what follows does not disappoint!! Congatulations, you gained a fan today.