teenage angst.

Cringy title, but awesome poem. Will give proper feedback tomorrow.

Don't like the title, but this is very good.

I love this, captures the weird melancholy of summer turning into fall, and waiting for something to come with age but never being sure exactly what you're waiting for.

I don't think the title really reflects the rest of the poem perhaps something like give 'em hell kid. That way the end almost recants what the main message of the poem is.

I think the rhymes here are well-used, even if they are unbound by a regular metrical scheme (the meter is present enough that the rhymes work sufficiently as echoes for the key ideas).

I really like the line

and a fifth of fireball says what we can't bring ourselves to say

That line captures for me what teenage angst is all about: personal insecurity, repression of one's ideas and expression in order to fit in, when those ideas are actually seething under the surface. Teens are kettles with the stoppers firmly on, whose water has been boiling ferociously for a long long time.

I also alike the allusions to childhood:

saturday cartoons
valentines we made in first grade

No matter where our narrator goes, he/she is reminded of his/her childhood. It's behind him, but it's not firmly behind him, and he/she is often reminded how child-like he/she still is.

Regarding the title: leave it as-is. Some may dislike how it attracts attention to itself unapologetically, but I think it fits this poem very well. The entirety of these kids' escapades has been to attract attention, in some way or another. The nature of the title parallels the nature of its poems' subjects. Teens are very often unapologetically attention-seeking (this is coming from a freshman in college mind you, so it's not like I'm an old fart). But most importantly, I think the title just fits. The poem is about teen angst. Maybe not all teen angst ever, maybe not teen angst in an abstract sense, but it is about this person's and his friends' teen angst that they harbor within themselves. So I like it.

This is great stuff, some of the lines here were fantastic. The meter was a bit fluid which I really liked and I think helped convey the feeling of the poem, slightly disjointed hazy kind of thing. The only criticisms I have to offer would be the title which I actually don't think is that bit of a deal, I think sometimes you should make your audience uncomfortable or cringe, and (and this is just me personally) I don't like the Facebook thing in there, maybe you could have found a metaphor or just alluded to it rather than say the word. This is completely subjective of course but I feel it detracts from the world you've painted us with something everyone knows, it's kind of too real if you get what I mean. I'd offer maybe "words and fists"? I don't know, other than that, really enjoyed it

The second last part is my favourite. I like the title, it sort of downplays the actual poem, it's like self deprecating humour, or downplaying your own feelings. I think you made the right choice.

The third stanza absolutely perfect. I agree that the title needs a change but only because this isn't even really angst, in my opinion. It's genuine insight and thoughtful musing on a time in life that isn't easy. Painfully relatable, very well written, and a poem I'm very glad to have read.

I just posted my first poem on this subreddit without reading any first. I now feel so out of my league. I liked that a lot

Angst goes when spirit grows.

I really like the way you describe a more modern, millenial youth. "Hopefull less-feeling" is kinda stuck with me.

I am thinking there are good traces of modern society ( the way you use facebook for example ) maybe you can increase that ? to empower the tonality?

Keep up the good work !

I agree that the title is off-putting. I'm guessing the teenage years aren't too far in the rear view mirror if you're American since Fireball has only been around in recent years. This is a really strong effort that does a good job of capturing that teenage era where everything seems so new and confusing and significant.