-=Dark_Angel=-, P.I.13 Sep 2002

Yes! This is it! This is the most profound, beautiful, profound comment on America's society today that I have ever seen! How did you think of it, pink_punk_kisses87? It's such a through-and-through masterpiece that I hardly know where to begin... The title itself is sheer genius. Just imagine -- taking a popular catchphrase, "America the beautiful", and putting a question mark at the end!!! What better way to simultaneously subvert the reader's expectations and set the introspective, questioning tone for the rest of the piece?? Brilliant!

Now, before I continue, let me tell you that usually I have no sympathy for poemes that deal with "issues". But you have managed to capture the essence of suffering and needless brutality in a way that I had scarcely dreamt of! All the images -- so cliched, yet in your incredible hands, so fresh! A beaten woman - a hungry child - drugs - bereavement - depression - lost love. These, yes, these are the issues of the times. Oh wait, sorry. For a minute there I thought your poeme was good.