Bailey’s poem “My Rent is Due” does a wonderful job of incorporating everyday objects such as a bottle of wine, a lamp, shoes, a watch, a mug, a shirt and a door, and personifying them to reflect the gloomy emotions of the narrator. “My Rent is Due” has an aura of sadness that packs a powerful punch; each object mentioned has a story attached to it. The lamp is “dethroned like an impotent baron” and the towel is “dripping still like rancid memories…” Bailey creates a wonderful dichotomy by comparing these household objects to emotions usually associated with heartbreak.
Bailey uses similes throughout her poem to convey her message of despair. While I read this poem I was completely captivated by her comparisons, I thought her language flowed incredibly well. As far as editing goes, I think Bailey’s poem would be even better if she included a little more information about the narrator. What happened? Clearly there is a conflict between the narrator and a loved one- I want more background information. The objects she mentions are given human characteristics, but I want to know what it is that cause her to think of them in this way (aside from the prompt.) I think this is a lovely poem and I would love for Bailey to add a few minor details that allow the reader to enter the life of the narrator.