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A Perfectly Normal Man (Free verse) by Dovina
He speaks to me two languages— audible affection, and mute tempestuous desire. He respects me as two people— moral woman, and capable lover. He sees me with double vision— close friend, and a warm set of hips. He touches me with mixed sensations— brotherly kindness, and hungry lust. He’s enamored and frustrated— happy and unhappy, respecting and wanting. He’s made that way— I adore his kindness, admire his restraint.

Up the ladder: Winter Is Coming For Me
Down the ladder: A young Man’s Demise

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Votes: (green: user, blue: anonymous)
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Arithmetic Mean: 6.6666665
Weighted score: 5.4482355
Overall Rank: 2946
Posted: September 29, 2006 11:34 AM PDT; Last modified: September 29, 2006 11:34 AM PDT
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Comments:
[10] Ranger @ 62.252.32.15 | 30-Sep-06/6:10 AM | Reply
Brilliant. Millions of chaps who are lucky/unlucky enough to fall under the 'nice guy' category (I'm still not decided on whether it's a blessing or a curse) will nod sagely upon reading this. I love the perspective you tell this from, too - her side of the story...yet at the end of the day, really giving no emotions away. This gets a ten, and deserves it.
[7] nypoet22 @ 65.2.216.112 > Ranger | 30-Sep-06/7:28 AM | Reply
i wasn't quite so enamored of this poem, mainly because i think it tells a little more than it shows. there's no picture in my mind of the people or personalities involved, just amorphous blobs with the feelings described. just my own preference, but i'd like to feel the shape of the hips, the tension of the conversation, the lust when eye meets eye.
[10] Ranger @ 62.252.32.15 > nypoet22 | 1-Oct-06/1:24 PM | Reply
The thing is, this is a very 'general' poem. It's the classic 'nice guy' syndrome, only from the perspective of a woman - I just feel that if it were made more specific, it would lose some of its ability to connect with me as a reader. As it stands, it's one of those poems that gets a 'I hear ya!' response from me, whereas if the protagonist was talking about a short, blonde dude then I wouldn't connect with it as such. Usually I'm all for image overload, but occasionally I like to do the colouring in myself.
[n/a] Dovina @ 17.255.240.138 > nypoet22 | 1-Oct-06/3:19 PM | Reply
I appreciate these two diverse views - yours and Ranger's. Both are good. I think thaqt it verges on showing, not telling, by virtue of a woman giving her impression of a man's thinking. Thanks for commenting.
[10] dvincent @ 71.109.114.41 | 1-Oct-06/10:21 AM | Reply
This is very nice. Well thought out and very lyrical. And even though it has a tenderness to it, you've managed to NOT get overly personal and self-indulgent. It has a nice, professional detachment to to it. Great work!
[n/a] Dovina @ 17.255.240.138 > dvincent | 1-Oct-06/3:23 PM | Reply
Believe me, I am not detached and not professional, but thanks for the comment. Women do not always appreciate the sides of men's affections that can be just as tender as the ones we do appreciate.
[7] LilMsLadyPoet @ 205.188.116.134 | 1-Oct-06/4:14 PM | Reply
So I take it all the lust you spoke of in the beginning lines, that he is feeling, has been denied? Then how can he respect you as 'a capable lover'...or are you not, with him, but he knows you are?...how?? The ending lines threw me. And this seems like a detatched person commenting...which seemed kinda creepy and manipulative...but that's just my feeling after reading it. Not sure what you meant with it...maybe just that.
[n/a] Dovina @ 17.255.240.138 > LilMsLadyPoet | 1-Oct-06/4:23 PM | Reply
It's good to hear another woman's take on it. I might try to clear up the "detachment" you see, because it is not intended. I mean it in an affectionate way. Thanks for commenting.
[10] Ranger @ 62.252.32.15 > LilMsLadyPoet | 1-Oct-06/4:33 PM | Reply
You don't have to be someone's lover to know, or at least be pretty certain, that they're capable. Personally I don't see any detachment in it - could be that mine's the 'bloke' view, I guess. If anything, it's almost coy - we get to the end expecting some sort of conclusion or making up of the mind (will she? won't she?) but once the narrator's smiled sweetly and gone we realise that we haven't been given anything at all.
[n/a] Dovina @ 17.255.240.138 > Ranger | 1-Oct-06/4:48 PM | Reply
But you could be if you keep talking that way.
[10] Ranger @ 62.252.32.15 > Dovina | 2-Oct-06/1:23 PM | Reply
Ooh, tempting...
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