‘Our daughters will be burned at the stake!
According to the medieval model.
The flame will consume our innocent Jewish sisters.’
Else Lasker-Shuler 1932.
They threw the books upon the pyre, and filled the streets with ashes,
And watch the Nazi student’s smile, bullets in tongue lashes.
Smoke rises high releasing text, can’t learn, lost books can’t read,
To be destroyed on paper, burnt words, defined new creed.
Did their minds recall instruction, or tale, or fact or fable?
Gripped tightly as if prisoners, accept defeat on master’s table.
The words they weren’t allowed to speak, nor study, or to learn,
To be so far from human, those fallen can’t return.
Free thinkers, writers, actors, poets, despised by imposed system,
As they turned upon each other, blinded, to become another victim.
They torched the books with dissent, in angry demonstration,
Many burned in flames of hate; to eradicate one nation.
Comments
Neopoet AI (premium) - 5-29-23 version
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet's computer artificial intelligence:
The poem "Book Burning" is a strong commentary on the historical event of the Nazi book burnings and the broader implications of censorship and oppression. The use of historical context and vivid imagery lends a certain weight to the poem.
However, the poem could benefit from a more consistent rhythm and meter. The current structure seems to fluctuate between lines, which can disrupt the flow for the reader. For instance, the second line of the first stanza has more syllables than the rest, which creates a jarring effect.
The poem also tends to tell more than it shows. For example, in the line "Free thinkers, writers, actors, poets, despised by imposed system," the poem tells us that these groups are despised, but it doesn't show us how or why. Using more concrete images and specific examples could help to convey this message more powerfully.
Additionally, the poem could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of its themes. The current version presents a fairly one-dimensional view of the book burnings, focusing on the destruction and loss. While these are certainly important aspects of the event, there are other angles to consider as well. For example, what was the impact on the individuals who participated in the burnings? How did these events shape the cultural and intellectual landscape of the time? Exploring these questions could add depth and complexity to the poem.
Finally, the poem's use of language could be refined. Some phrases, such as "bullets with tongue lashes," are somewhat unclear and could be reworked for clarity. Similarly, the poem sometimes uses clichéd language ("flames of hate"), which could be replaced with more original and evocative phrases.
In conclusion, while the poem has a strong thematic foundation, it could be improved through more consistent rhythm, more show and less tell, a more nuanced exploration of its themes, and more precise and original language.
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