There's a difference between poetry and Poetry. Upper Case Poetry is the stuff you get in Poetry Anthologies and Poetry Workshops; lower case poetry is the stuff you get in conversations, lyrics, the street. The first one, Sullen Girl, is a poem. It seems to me that the second one's a bit forced. She's trying too hard. I'd like to see many more lyrics. Whom would you compare her with? Look through the poetry anthology at all the women represented. Who comes closest to Fiona Apple?

 

Here's some more for you to look at. The first two, "Never is a Promise" and "First Taste" were from her very first album which, keep in mind, was released when she was only 18. "Better Version of Me" Is from her most recent album which was released in 2005. Definitely a variation in writing style, probably comes with growing up.

"Never is a Promise"

You'll never see -- the courage I know
Its colors' richness won't appear within your view
I'll never glow --
the way that you glow
Your presence dominates the judgements made on you

But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch, I see from greater heights
I understand what I am still too proud to mention -- to you

You'll say you understand, but you don't understand
You'll say you'd never give up seeing eye to eye
But never is a promise, and you can't afford to lie

You'll never touch -- these things that I hold
The skin of my emotions lies beneath my own
You'll never feel the heat of this soul
My fever burns me deeper than I've ever shown -- to you

You'll say, Don't fear your dreams, its easier than it seems
You'll say you'd never let me fall from hopes so high
But never is a promise and you can't afford to lie

You'll never live the life that I live
I'll never live the life that wakes me in the night
You'll never hear the message I give
You'll say it looks as though I might give up this fight

But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch, I see from greater heights
I realize what I am now too smart to mention -- to you

You'll say you understand, you'll never understand
I'll say I'll never wake up knowing how or why
I don't know what to believe in, you don't know who I am
You'll say I need appeasing when I start to cry
But never is a promise and I'll never need a lie

"The First Taste"
I lie in an early bed, thinking late thoughts
Waiting for the black to replace my blue
I do not struggle in your web
Because it was my aim to get caught
But daddy longlegs, I feel that I'm finally growing weary
Of waiting to be consumed by you
Give me the first taste, let it begin heaven cannot wait
Forever
Darling, just start the chase - I'll let you win but you must
Make the endeavor
Oh, your love gives me a heart contusion
Adagio breezes fill my skin with sudden red
Your hungry flirt borders intrusion
I'm building memories on things we have not said
Full is not heavy as empty
Not nearly my love
Not nearly my love
Not nearly
Give me the first taste, let it begin heaven cannot wait
Forever
Darling, just start the chase - I'll let you win, but you must
Make the endeavor

"Better Version Of Me"

The nickel dropped
When I was on
My way beyond
The Rubicon
What did I do

And of the games that I can handle
None are ones worth the candle
What can I do

I'm a frightened, fickle person
Fighting, cryin', kickin', cursin'
What should I do

Oooh, after all the folderol,
And hauling over coals stops
What will I do

Can't take a good day without a bad one
Don't feel just to smile until I've had one
Where did I learn

I make a fuss about a little thing
The rhyme is losing to the riddling
Where's the turn

I don't want a home, I'd ruin that
Home is where my habits have a habitat
Why give it a turn

Oh, after all the folderol
And hauling over coals stops
What did I learn

I am likely to miss the main event
If I stop to cry or complain again
So I will keep a deliberate pace
Let the damned breeze dry my face

Oh, mister, wait until you see
What I'm gonna be

I've got a plan, a demand and it just began
And if you're right, you'll agree

Here's coming a better version of me
Here it comes a better version of me
Here it comes a better version of me