Not bad at all. I really liked this piece. The meter was not bad, but then again, what the hell do I know about meter. The content was good and well written. The poem flowed quite well I thought. It was clear and easy to read. I am not one to critique punctuation and grammar. Neither have ever really been my strong points in the writing process. So I hope you will not mind that I do not critique the punctuation and grammar. All in all I felt it was a good piece. I especially liked the last stanza.

The inevitable since birth, I’ll decay in your earth

Pieces of futility, pieces of me

 Very nice. Keep up the good work. I will be checking in on your other writings. Expect to hear from me again. I really like your style.

 Hi, Dylan Moody! Sorry if you were waiting for more critiques on your work than just one teensy weensy little one. I was asleep. Anyway, I loved this poem for its great imagery! I liked it because it well reminds me of a bright spring (Or summer) morning where I sit under a large, hundred year old weeping willow tree. And it was all because of your great poem. Oh and another note, I wish you good luck in getting a great spot in the winner's circle in the March Contest. I wish for you to get first, second or third place, or if you don't get any of the three, then I hope for you to get a spot in the honorable mention circle. Either way, I wish great luck in you for doing well as well as votes (Chances are, people will vote on your works rather than judges choosing) for the March Contest. The winners will hopefully be announced on April 7, 2008!

 *** Nice poem... Talk about your explanation of life and death. You made it quite clear and to the point without all the sappy stuff...LOL! I'm not one to check for errors either, because I'm not a poet, no offense to anyone here but I would rather write novels and stories then poetry. I always feel like I'm not saying enough when I try to write poetry. But you managed to get it all in just a few short lines. Life and death...at its finest. Even romance was part of this piece, very good. Very good indeed. As a fellow competitioner of the March contest, I wish you loads of luck with your entry! I look forward to more of your work... write on!***

 hi, dylan--

i'm always drawn to imagery, whether i'm reading prose or poetry--you've done a great job at painting a timeless picture with this poem. you're also successful at evoking emotion--a nostalgia, maybe even a bit of melancholy.

my favorite moments:

Farewells and first kisses, mortality never misses.

we're attuned to the passage of time, to our own limited lifespan and the seeming eternity of trees. this line touches on the numerous encounters this old tree has witnessed, and that those youngsters have long since disappeared. poignant and lovely.

Pieces of futility, pieces of me

acknowledging the fact of our mortality, and our place in the world--i love this line.

i don't have any specific suggestions for you; i did have a little trouble following your exact meaning in a spot or two:

...withered by reasons

i have no doubts you intended for this line to express a particular idea. unfortunately, i'm not savvy enough with the context afforded me to be sure i understand your message. probably my shortcoming, especially if others feel this line works for them.

...native tongues analyze

this is another moment i'm a little lost in. is the implication that the tree has weathered different cultures living around it through the centuries? their changing language maturing along with the tree? i'm just not sure...and the word 'analyze' feels a bit modern, scientific (cold, objective), which is a contrast ot the established tone of the poem.

a genuinely lovely poem, dylan--i found myself lingering over the lines, reading them over to fully absorb the image and meaning. very nice. thank you for posting your work, and good luck in the contest!