[PancakeBrah]

Split-

This was exactly the type of verse I was expecting from you. Not in regards to the topic but just the level of quality you were going to put out for this tournament. Everything that I've thought about your style bore out here; it's the improved Split. Dialed in, without the superfluous elements. You were structured, but you unleashed your almost poetic phrasing and ethereal vocabulary laced wording at specific points to 'wow' as opposed to overwhelm. The actual approach to the topic was rather straightforward; an entry-level topical writer could look at this approach and arrive at your concept. The key was the execution. You took the obvious route but by the time I worked my way through path of ideas you couched so eloquently I arrived at the end very satisfied in the journey. Another voter said you had some black d-like elements to your verse and that's very true; from some of the punctuation to the actual style itself you can see some influence. You were able to make it your own, though. You started both of your main stanzas very well in terms of scheme. The content throughout was solid. It was like watching a classic black and white film remastered in color for HD.


Veritas-

Very good verse, probably the best I've read from you on this site. Your concept and endgame was focused from the on-set and aside from a few slips in phrasing or wording (in my eyes) you wrote at an adequate level. I had the preconception at the start of this verse by seeing the tiger was named Socrates that I would have trouble not rolling my eyes but you never came off as preachy here. You were stating facts, observations, instead of pontificating. You instead reserved your judgment and theme for the end in a very well worded and applicable thought. Even in the meat of the verse (Socrates dreamscape) you were able to phrase the plight of man and the obvious cliches and tropes associated with that uniquely enough that I never felt the commentary was tired. The ending, as I said, was strong.

Great battle. I haven't read every battle yet but I'd have to imagine this is going to be one of the best of the first round. Both writers essentially wrote on the same concept (with the deviation here or there) with Split working in a more ethereal world and Veritas in a more concrete reality. This was close, but the way Split worded his verse, and the ideas he touched on, left more of an impact. Great match fellas.

v/ Split