**I yearn**: My first thought was that this was about lack of wealth, rather than depression or psychosis. Poverty is a two way road. You have nothing so life seems so hopeless, and yet, there is so much to improve on so why not just try to keep enduring?

**I witness**: A clever way to show ups-and-downs, the silver-lining of a black cloud. Half-empty, half-full cup. I did not notice the forward and backward format until you mentioned it at the bottom.

**I yearn**: Whether the poem subject was ambiguous (as I thought it was about poverty, but depression is a more cliche fit to the poem), or it was just that at this time in my life finance is such a stressful issue.

**I claim**: The format is clever, but the wordplay is cliche and does not offer much for imagination. I also like how the format has hills and valleys that visually represent "highs" and "lows" of life.

 interesting set-up. I'm guessing it represents some type of (internal) struggle, someone who is oscillating between two states. It's a shame though that, because of the end-goal (the poem working both ways), we're not introduced to much depth. So it's not very gripping, because there's little to connect to. If that could somehow be circumvented, I would've appreciated even more. 

Interesting piece! I like the idea that the tone can shift significantly by which direction it can be read. I understand that these aren't particularly easy to write, and you've got two very clear pieces in one, which is great.

However, in terms of it being poetic, I have to agree with /u/l0g0z - there's not much depth. 

What would further the theme of this, and it would be difficult keeping with the forward/backward layout, is how can we relate it to you? How do we know this is a poem by /u/PM_ME_A_COOL_PICTURE? 

This could do with a little more *you*. The theme is quite broad, and if you can keep the forward/backward idea in there, because it is nicely done, I'd work on making it a little more personal. 

Nonetheless very clever. You could experiment with the layout of the poem to help put across the message that the poem can be read backwards without stating it below.

Thank you for your honest criticism. This is most definitely not my best work but did take some time to figure out the back and forth as it was my first attempt at it. I will take your assessment and improve from there. Thank you!

This is a unique closed form of lyric poetry called a "Reverse Poem", usually written in free verse (but I have seen versions using rhyme and rhythmic schemes too), where the reader is intended to have one emotive experience when reading the poem one direction, and the opposite experience when the lines are read the other direction.  Usually, the poem is pessimistic when read down the page, and optimistic when read up the page.  I have seen some variations which flip this expectation on its head, reading optimistically down the page, and then pessimistically when reversed.  

This seems to be a classic example of this form.   It doesn't push any boundaries.   It doesn't take any chances.  It risks nothing.  And really, that's the worst that might be said about it.  It's *safe*.  

Otherwise, it does exactly what it set out to do.  Read down the page, we get this prosaic meaning: 


>So, I'm just doing what I can (in order) to lose.  (I'm) not trying to compete in this life.  I'm (just)

Writing a decent reverse poem that makes sense in and of itself is a challenge, so I commend you on that. 

But just like /u/ActualNameIsLana says, it doesn't do anything more than that. 

It's always a good idea to experiment with different forms of writing poetry and prose though, so even if this isn't a masterpiece, it's something you should expand upon if you feel like you want to. Even if you wanted to stick with the same theme and try to alter it in some way. 

This one's neat, the whole read forwards and backwards thing is interesting, but I thought it was a bit bland and the subject of the piece has been explored to death...you got skills and talent, I believe you can do better than this.

Honestly.. i had to reread it several times, not because i couldn't understand but because i felt that i could strongly relate. it really served as a wake up call. Thank you i really enjoyed it.

So I'm just doing what I can...

To lose.

Not 

Trying 

To compete.

In this life...

I'm 

Trying to stay alive. 

But I am

Losing.

Because I'm 

Not 

Fighting...

 
~B.Pen~

To be read forwards and backwards. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/5b0u6x/z/d9lfpu3

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/5b2vlc/z/d9lfggp

Perception