I loved this poem. Probably because of all the references to other things. First off i think it has a great first line. After reading it i was instantly engrossed in the poem. I also really enjoyed the things that he has seen, like underdog in full color on a black and white tv. What a great concept and image. I could only imagine how amazing it would be to see something like that. Each line made me more and more interested in the next. I also really liked how the poem sort of changed in the middle where he stops speaking in the terms of, I have seen, and states talking about random things he has seen. Like the girl at sears with no bra, what a real image and statement. Its almost as if he was just writing them as he thought them up. My favorite part, probably because I am a nerd, was the adults replaced by Replicants in 1977. What a hilarious and interesting statement to make. I could see that being taken in several different ways. Possibly the author meant that people lost a bit of there emotional sides in 1977. Or perhaps it is reference to Jimmy Carter becoming president. Implying that he lived like a replicant simply smiling and waving. Either way, no matter what the meaning was I loved it, and thought it really added a great deal to the piece. The end of the poem is odd and gives me a sort of eerie feeling. With the line, I have looked into the mirror and seen two dark pools of humility, and the following line, Others have only dreamed they've looked into the mirror. What a strange image and concept. After reading it I was unsure of what to think. The last two lines just seem so dark to me, which works very well, but nonetheless gave me a slight feeling of confusion.
Robert C. Carothers III
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Robert, I also really liked this poem! I definately agree that the references throughout the poem are unique and make the poem vivid, interesting and strong. From the very first line of the poem I was instantly drawn in. It makes the reader curious of what the speaker has "seen" and propels the reader to keep reading further. I also like the parallel used in the second line (seeing full-color on a black and white T.V.). This is a very interesting and complex thought and it really stuck out to me when reading this poem. I also like how all of the first four lines begin with "I have seen." It gives the poem a great stucture and rhythm. Once I got to the fifth line I was a little thrown off, because the line didn't begin with "I have seen," but I was able to adjust as I continued to read the poem. (Although the fifth line in itself "The cashier at Sears who wore no bra," seemed a little random and out of place.) My favorite line in the poem is definately the last line; "others have only dreamed they've looked into the mirror." I like how the line ties into the first line. To me, the poem can be interpreted however the reader interpretes it because of the ending line. Overall, a great read!
ReplyDeleteKaty Haines