Progression of sorts

[camus]

From Lucky Santangelo
To Rodion Raskolnikov
From the marshmallow
To the kalashnikov

How far have I travelled?
What have I seen?
In what have I revelled?
And what does it mean?

[CalebPerry]

I think this is a good poem. The brevity and rhyme really make it work. Also, it has an iconic quality, as if you had condensed a lifetime into a simple thought. Very well done.

I haven't looked up all the names, though I doubt it matters who they are or what they represent, since it isn't about them.

[ton321]

I kind of like it, when names or ideas become points of a compass..

I think it needs to be fleshed out a bit.

Who was Lucky Santangelo though?

Tony

[jisbell00]

I’m thinking Lucky was a mobster? I love the first stanza - the second‘s last line feels rhyme-driven to me, sorry! But een has a million choices.

Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

For me, What does it mean? seems the right ending.

[nash]

A succinct nugget of existentialism! Had to google Lucky Santangelo... that's a surprising reference (I bet she's never been referenced in a poem before), works well.

[camus]

Thanks guys.

Caleb

as if you had condensed a lifetime into a simple thought.

I'm really glad you picked up on that, that was the intention, BUT a lifetime of 'reading'

Is there a progression from reading Jackie Collins to Dostoyevsky? If so, is there an element of snobbery? and what of its worth?

John

the second‘s last line feels rhyme-driven to me

Yes, it was all rhyme driven, in very quick succession! I may stick with my initial thoughts, unless convinced otherwise.

Tony

I kind of like it, when names or ideas become points of a compass..

Me too. Alas, brevity is my thing, I lose concentration/control, very quickly. Hopefully i said all that needs to be said.

Nash,

Had to google Lucky Santangelo... that's a surprising reference

I felt I owed it to her. My first 'proper' girlfriend introduced me to Lucky. She started me reading, not the most auspicious start, but I 'progressed' quickly...

Cheers
Kris

[CalebPerry]

Ah, I didn't get the "lifetime of reading" part because I'm not well read in most areas -- I guess all those names (except "marshmallow" -- ?) are authors. I'm so poorly read in the classics, I can't figure how or why I became a writer. (Are computer magazines and Consumer Reports considered to be literary classics?)

[jisbell00]

Kalashnikov is indeed a name, the name of the inventor of that particular machine gun.

Cheers,
John