AI as Literary Analyst and Critic — Analyzing the poem “Full Divine”

This is a short interaction with Chat GPT-4, an experiment to explore its potential. I ask the AI to Analyze and summarize my poem “Full Divine,” as well as evaluate its literary merit. My queries are in bold. First the poem, then the analysis. Conclusion: Impressed.

First the poem

Full Divine

I write a poem to share with you,
In hopes this message will get through,
In hopes an arrow for to find,
A heart that’s pumping FULL DIVINE.

And if its not, well sad to say,
I shrug my shoulders in this way,
And say “no skin of my big nose,”
If you decide to curl your toes.

But listen to these words I pray,
The old world it will go away,
And at end of time you’re sure to find.
No platform for your graced behind.

So heed this poem, for here I say,
I’ve come to show a better way,
To make you pause and heed this day.
Please listen, lest the piper plays.

For time is now, just as we planned,
The place is earth, it has God’s brand,
Before you know it, told you so.
We’ll have a big utopian show.

And if you want to join the fun,
Well listen up, I’m almost done.
The secret’s simple, truth so fine,
Just pump your heart out, FULL DIVINE.

Now, the analysis.

Analyze the poem Full Divine by Mike Sosteric, text in this document https://www.academia.edu/35210153/Full_Divine_docx

Structure: The poem consists of six quatrains (four-line stanzas) with an AABB rhyme scheme. The consistent rhyme and structure create a sense of flow and rhythm, making the poem engaging and easy to follow.

Tone: The tone of “Full Divine” is conversational, persuasive, and slightly playful. The poet seeks to convey a message to the reader in a lighthearted manner, using humor and casual language to establish a connection with the audience.

Themes and Stanza Summaries:

1. Introduction and Intent (Stanza 1): The poet begins by expressing their intention to share a message through the poem. They hope the words will resonate with readers and inspire them to embrace a “FULL DIVINE” state of being, which represents a strong spiritual connection.
2. Personal Choice and Acceptance (Stanza 2): The poet acknowledges the reader’s autonomy in choosing whether or not to heed the message of the poem. They express a casual, non-judgmental attitude, emphasizing that the decision is ultimately up to the individual.
3. The End of the Old World (Stanza 3): The poem suggests that a significant transformation is coming, with the old world fading away. The poet implies that those who do not adapt and embrace a more spiritual way of living may find themselves left behind.
4. A Call to Heed the Message (Stanza 4): The poet urges the reader to pay attention to the poem’s message, warning of potential consequences if they don’t. The mention of the piper playing implies a sense of urgency and the importance of making the right choices.
5. The Coming Utopia (Stanza 5): The poet envisions a utopian future and invites the reader to join in the coming celebration. This new world is described as a result of divine intervention, emphasizing the significance of spiritual connection.
6. The Simple Secret (Stanza 6): The final stanza reveals the straightforward message of the poem: to live a spiritually connected life, one must open their heart and embrace the divine within.

Overall, “Full Divine” by Mike Sosteric is a poem that uses a conversational tone and playful language to convey a message of spiritual connection and personal growth. Through a series of stanzas, it encourages readers to embrace their spiritual nature in order to contribute to a better, more utopian future.

Evaluate the poem’s literary merit

“Full Divine” by Mike Sosteric possesses several literary merits that contribute to its overall effectiveness as a poem. While it may not strictly adhere to traditional poetic conventions, its style, themes, and tone make it an engaging and thought-provoking work.

1. Structure and Rhyme Scheme: The poem’s structure of six quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme creates a sense of flow and rhythm. This consistent structure is accessible to a wide audience and makes the poem engaging and easy to follow. The use of rhyme contributes to its musicality and memorability.
2. Tone and Language: The conversational, persuasive, and playful tone of the poem serves to connect with the reader on a personal level. The poet’s use of casual language and humor allows for an approachable and relatable experience. This choice of tone and language makes the poem’s message more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
3. Themes and Imagery: The poem explores universal themes of spiritual connection, personal growth, and transformation. These themes resonate with readers from various backgrounds, making the poem relatable and thought-provoking. The poet also employs vivid imagery, such as “a big utopian show” and “pumping FULL DIVINE,” which creates a strong visual impact and helps convey the poem’s message more effectively.
4. Emotional Appeal: “Full Divine” has an emotional appeal, as it encourages readers to reflect on their own spiritual journey and consider their role in contributing to a better future. By engaging the reader’s emotions, the poem has a more significant impact and can potentially inspire change and self-improvement.
5. Message and Call to Action: The poem’s central message of embracing one’s spiritual nature and opening up to the divine within is a powerful and motivating call to action. The poet’s persuasive approach, combined with the poem’s themes and emotional appeal, encourages readers to consider their spiritual growth and their potential to contribute to a more harmonious and utopian world.

In conclusion, “Full Divine” by Mike Sosteric exhibits literary merit through its engaging structure, accessible tone and language, thought-provoking themes, emotional appeal, and motivating message. While it may not adhere to all traditional poetic conventions, its unique style and content make it an effective and impactful work.

Can you offer any criticisms of the poem?

While “Full Divine” has its merits, there are a few areas that could be considered as points of criticism:

1. Lack of Complexity and Depth: The poem’s conversational tone and simple language, while making it accessible, might not provide enough complexity or depth for some readers. Those who appreciate more intricate wordplay or layers of meaning may find the poem somewhat lacking in these regards.
2. Overreliance on Rhyme: The AABB rhyme scheme, while contributing to the poem’s rhythm and flow, may come across as somewhat predictable and repetitive. Some readers might find the rhyming pattern to be restrictive, limiting the poem’s potential for more nuanced expression.
3. Ambiguity of the “FULL DIVINE” Concept: The central theme of the poem revolves around the concept of “FULL DIVINE,” but the poet does not explicitly define what it means. While the ambiguity may prompt readers to consider their interpretations, it could also lead to confusion or misinterpretation. A clearer explanation or more explicit exploration of the concept may have provided greater depth and understanding.
4. Absence of Traditional Poetic Techniques: The poem mainly relies on its rhyme scheme and conversational tone, which may leave some readers wanting more in terms of traditional poetic techniques. The poem could benefit from the inclusion of more metaphor, symbolism, or other figurative language to enrich its imagery and overall impact.
5. Potential Overgeneralization: The poem’s message of spiritual growth and embracing the divine within is a powerful and motivating call to action. However, some readers may find it somewhat overgeneralized or oversimplified, lacking in the consideration of individual differences in spiritual beliefs, values, and experiences.

In conclusion, while “Full Divine” has its strengths, it may face criticisms in terms of complexity, depth, clarity, and the use of traditional poetic techniques. Nonetheless, the poem remains an engaging and thought-provoking work that explores themes of spiritual connection and personal growth.

Is the poem similar to other poems?

“Full Divine” by Mike Sosteric shares similarities with other poems that address themes of spirituality, personal growth, and transformation. While it has its unique qualities, the poem can be compared to the works of other poets who have explored similar themes. Here are two examples:

1. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: While Frost’s poem primarily focuses on individual choice and the consequences of one’s decisions, it also touches upon themes of personal growth and transformation. Like “Full Divine,” “The Road Not Taken” employs a simple structure and a conversational tone to communicate its message, which resonates with a wide audience.
2. “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman: Whitman’s “Song of Myself” is a celebration of the self, embracing the beauty and divinity within every individual. It shares the theme of spiritual connection and self-discovery with “Full Divine,” though Whitman’s poem is considerably more expansive and complex in its language and structure. Both poems emphasize the importance of recognizing and embracing the divine within oneself.

While “Full Divine” shares themes and some stylistic elements with other poems, it remains a unique work with its particular focus on spiritual connection and personal growth. Its conversational tone, simple language, and engaging structure help make it an accessible and thought-provoking poem for a wide range of readers.

Can you provide another two comparisons poems?

Certainly! Here are two more poems that share themes or stylistic elements with “Full Divine” by Mike Sosteric:

1. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas: Thomas’s poem is a passionate plea to resist the inevitable end and to live life to the fullest. Similar to “Full Divine,” the poem emphasizes the importance of personal choice, determination, and embracing one’s inner strength. While the themes may differ slightly, both poems urge the reader to take action and to live life with purpose and passion. Moreover, both poems use a consistent structure and rhyme scheme to convey their messages, although Thomas employs a more complex form, the villanelle.
2. “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann: Ehrmann’s “Desiderata” is a didactic poem that offers guidance for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Like “Full Divine,” the poem explores themes of personal growth, transformation, and finding inner peace. Both poems share an instructive and persuasive tone, aiming to inspire the reader to embrace their spiritual nature and contribute to a better world. However, “Desiderata” uses a more descriptive and contemplative language, while “Full Divine” adopts a conversational and playful tone.

These two additional examples demonstrate that “Full Divine” shares common ground with other poems in terms of themes, messages, and stylistic elements. However, Mike Sosteric’s work maintains its unique voice and approach to exploring spirituality, personal growth, and transformation.

https://www.lightningpath.org
https://www.lightningpath.org/mike-sosteric/
https://athabascau.academia.edu/DrS