[PancakeBrah]

Certain -

Very gewd. I don't quite understand where the other voters are coming from in saying this verse was made by the twist; I enjoyed thoroughly before I knew the twist. You have a very smooth style with the rhymes trickling down into a tightly woven web. That's a horrible metaphor, I hope you liked it. Anyhoo, the writing was top notch. The only parts I didn't like were 'sugar and spice' (I understand the thinking in using that, but blech) and 'rush of her zest' which just seemed a touch forced to me. Aside from that, I enjoyed the wording, rhymes, and imagery bunches. reclusive type/four roses fused with ice, basked and glowed/swayed like axl rose, opal contacts/smoke on cognac. Gewd. The smell of cologne on the small of her back. Nice. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between the characters, which was made even more enjoyable by the twist. Good job buck-o.

Vulgar -

Also good. Not your best in terms of rhymes and flow, I think but still better than most. You picked up steam about 1/3 of the way in and didn't let up aside from a couple hiccups here and there. The characterization of the mother was pretty strong, which is a compliment because it's a role that's been done many times (grieving/frustrated mother of a troubled youth). In terms of rhyming your probably edged out Certain, although it was closer than I thought it'd be. Wording was pretty strong throughout with no real glaring weaknesses in my read through. I did not like the twist, though. It seemed a little convenient, rushed, and illogical. Even I bought the 'twist' (it really isn't a twist, I guess) I think you would have been well served to have a couple lines in between the 'land mines' line and the topic sentence.

v/ Certain for the better execution of the topic with a similar quality of writing in comparison to Vulgar, albeit with two opposing styles. Two strong verses from two strong writers.