Half Agony, Half Hope

1st Draft (08/10/20):

2nd Draft (11/10/20):

The main changes I made here were just refining the poem and cutting out unnecessary words and lines, whilst also trying to create a more defined structure.

Editing/Experimentation (07/11/20):

I put the words where the emphasis lies in bold in order to work on the rhythm of the poem. Here I am experimenting with rhythm and rhyme in particular, adapting the wording to fit into more of a structure but keeping the overall sentiment the same.

3rd Draft (19/11/20):

I would like to revisit this draft after looking at the the work I did experimenting with rhythm and structure, and combine the best elements of these.

Final Draft (added – 06/12/20)

Rose

The brightest red

In a monochrome field,

Framed in gilded gold.

Her red-velvet petals and emerald

Stem, hiding thorns like the

Sheath of a knife. Royal crimson,

Romantic blush; the façade 

Of a red-cap goblin, a bloody-

handed Macbeth. Who draws 

Blood from her enemies 

And drinks it like water.

• I changed the poem quite a lot between the 3rd and the final draft, combining elements of the other drafts I found with the main elements of the poem that have recurred through the drafts. I am pleased with the final result as I think it retains the theatrical nature alongside the original sense of beauty being superficial.