I think the title "Close to Understanding" or maybe "The Eternal Search" would work well for this poem. I truly enjoy your ability to connect the reader as one with the kindred spirit you so eloquently described.

This is really a great story of learning, understanding, and growth as a person. Need to read the ending when it is finished before I can fully critique.

Reminds me of my days on campus...if you were looking to elaborate or create more, I would love to see your contrast of the the outer world and the inner mind. Maybe change stroll to a word of more chaotic context, i.e. bustle, mill, etc.

I thought this was a wonderful description of your belief of afterlife and the coping with mourning. Exceptional writing at your age...

I like your use of sleep as an escape from the harsh realities of life. Yes, we men can be jerks sometimes. Maybe a little more continuity, unless the lack thereof was what you were going for.

Really descriptive poetry. I would change the last line of the second stanza to stay in line with the burning and flames you spoke of throughout it.

This has some great imagery in the poem, but I couldn't understand if there was supposed to be a rhyme-sheme. It kind of went in and out of rhyming and it distracted me a little from the overall flow. Really good work, maybe just clean out(change some words) so that they are not followed by rhymes.

This is a very desriptive piece. Everything you wrote made me feel as if I experienced it. It was a little difficult to follow the flow of the poem, but I think I pieced it together. I love your use of drowning and being consumed by poetry...the first stanza, in my opinion, is your strongest.

I think that your background helps me understand the poem much more. I think that if I had studied what you had, it would make even more sense. Without any knowledge or background, I would have been lost. But even without background, it is a good read.