From within this poem we see the strong connections of it being about war and the effect it had to people.
From the beginning of the poem in the first stanza we see its a memory for the persona but is also a memory for the man that is telling the story. From "One bedtime, my father showed me his war medals" we see that the persona is recalling on the memory of his father telling him a story of war. We see positive imagery being used with how they state the medals to have "pretty coloured ribbons" therefore suggesting a key object that allows the persona to remember when he was younger. From the lines, "how first their invisible presence cause horses to bolt and flocks of meat-snatching birds to rise" we see that these angels caused a great amount of fear towards men. This could be representing how the enemy caused a great deal of terror towards the soldiers and the attacks that they held on each other were a great deal to make horses bolt. They are all scared and we get the impression that this may be talking about the trenches within the war. "invisible presence" can link to them being within the trenches due to how they are unaware of the men until they are close beside them and having to kill them or be killed themselves. Also with the line, "flocks of meat-snatching birds to rise" we could interpret that the more deaths they cause the more of a feast they will gain by it. Altogether this is protrayed as being very negative and is supported with the line, "circle round and around like a carousel". Due to this similie we can interpret that there was no escape and the men were trapped within war and had no choice but to attack the enemy to get out.
From the use of words "silence of gas" we can see that they were silent killers and that the men died due to gas attacks within the trenches. Some were never able to see the enemy and were killed by a gas as it suffercated them. We also see "when they sang it was shrapnel striking helmets" we get the notion of pain and suffering occuring. The word "shrapnel" is an example of some exposive they used within the war and therefore suggests that there was the worry of being bombed as well. The thought of the "striking helmets" portrays to us that it could be refering to the uniform of German soldiers in the World Wars for they had points on the top of their helmets. From this we could make the impression that they were noticable to be the enemy due to this detail and therefore would help the troops know how to attack due to the differences. We then see that the whole land is filled with pain and the belief of death due to the line "soldiers' prayers and soldiers' screams". All men are scared and therefore all are refering to God to help them escape the madness they have been placed in.
We see the use of an oxymoron with the words "stealthily visible" and therefore suggests to us that the angels could be presented all soldiers murdering each other. From the final line "(My father, invalided home, was told he knew more about angels than was healthy)" we see that he had no choice on returning home for he is no longer a healthy man. He might of been hurt within battle and therefore not able to fight anymore or it could refer to how he has unravelled the fact that the war is filled with murderers and we are turning into evil angels that will not be sent to heaven due to the murder we have done. He has become weak due to not being healthy anymore and therefore states to us that he needs to progress slowly into a human once more.
A poem by Larkin that is ideal to the theme of loss is MCMXIV due to how it represents the effect of war and how it caused people to suffer greatly. Not just the women, children and men at home, but the men fighting on the front.
Sunday 4 May 2014
An Old Commitment - Dannie Abse
From looking through the first few short stanzas we are able to see there is a sense of doubt and loss provided by Abse. Within the use of the line, "I had a cause then. Surely I have a cause?" we see that the persona is judging themselves to their past and refering back to the present. Within the past he had some importance and value within his life but now that time has refered on we see that he is not so sure that it is like that. We see he had a use in the past due to how it refers to a battle occuring by his past family generations and how they are connected to him with the use of the line, "I was for them and they were for me". They are linked together due to the past and he is no the only one that remains. We also see the theme of memory due to how he recalls the events and we see the use of a metaphor as he states, "as blank as stone". From this we could refer to the battle being pointless or it could suggest the notion of him not being able to recall fully on what had happened.
As we move on within the poem we are able to see the notion of a journey occuring and the persona providing an image of the sun setting. We see the persona takes great care when looking at the sun and we see the line "Behind it, what have I forgotten?" has some elements of loss brought into it. He is stating that this is behind him but feels like he does not wish to forget it completely. We see that he talks of how this loss follows the sun therefore it could be stating to us that the notion of death is occuring but is refered to them watching only when the sun is up.
We then see the persona has arrived at his wanted destination but has discovered that all has gone. We see that he is a great deal too late due to how even the people that work there have gone home and have left him in a "unlit dark". He is surrounded by darkness and lonliness but remains there anyway. We also get the notion of death due to how he states the people that work there have "departed" therefore refering to us that he is truly alone within this part of the world.
"I am no ghost and this place is in ruins" we see that normally within the ruins of somewhere, we wonder whether the place would be haunted with ghosts and within this line we see that Abse is refering to him being so alone that he has not been made as a ghost and therefore stands out within the darkness of the ruins.
We then see that he calls out the word "Black" which could refer to two different meanings. One could be the reference to a loved one having the last name of "Black" but could also refer to him shouting out into the darkness in hope that someone would bring light to him. We also get the line, "I call softly to one dead but beloved" and therefore see that he is in a great state of loss and lonliness. Someone that he loved truly is no longer with us and he is calling out to them and we see he cared greatly for them due to how he calls "softly".
From the final word we then see that he is becoming desperate for there is no answer to his agony and all he wants is a simple reply and we see how important this is to the persona due to how Abse places this one word answer on its own line.
The poems that could link to this would be Home Is So Sad by Larkin for we are able to make the link of loss occuring within both poems. Another that could link to the key theme of loss would be MCMXIV for it represents the effect of someone dying and how it causes people to feel.
As we move on within the poem we are able to see the notion of a journey occuring and the persona providing an image of the sun setting. We see the persona takes great care when looking at the sun and we see the line "Behind it, what have I forgotten?" has some elements of loss brought into it. He is stating that this is behind him but feels like he does not wish to forget it completely. We see that he talks of how this loss follows the sun therefore it could be stating to us that the notion of death is occuring but is refered to them watching only when the sun is up.
We then see the persona has arrived at his wanted destination but has discovered that all has gone. We see that he is a great deal too late due to how even the people that work there have gone home and have left him in a "unlit dark". He is surrounded by darkness and lonliness but remains there anyway. We also get the notion of death due to how he states the people that work there have "departed" therefore refering to us that he is truly alone within this part of the world.
"I am no ghost and this place is in ruins" we see that normally within the ruins of somewhere, we wonder whether the place would be haunted with ghosts and within this line we see that Abse is refering to him being so alone that he has not been made as a ghost and therefore stands out within the darkness of the ruins.
We then see that he calls out the word "Black" which could refer to two different meanings. One could be the reference to a loved one having the last name of "Black" but could also refer to him shouting out into the darkness in hope that someone would bring light to him. We also get the line, "I call softly to one dead but beloved" and therefore see that he is in a great state of loss and lonliness. Someone that he loved truly is no longer with us and he is calling out to them and we see he cared greatly for them due to how he calls "softly".
From the final word we then see that he is becoming desperate for there is no answer to his agony and all he wants is a simple reply and we see how important this is to the persona due to how Abse places this one word answer on its own line.
The poems that could link to this would be Home Is So Sad by Larkin for we are able to make the link of loss occuring within both poems. Another that could link to the key theme of loss would be MCMXIV for it represents the effect of someone dying and how it causes people to feel.
The Mistake - Dannie Abse
From looking within this poem we are able to see it holds some elements of humour due to a mistake a couple have made over a tree. From within the first stanza we are able to see that we have been provided with some sort of orders due to how Abse is writing. From the tree having "no identity" we are able to see that we know little about the tree and what beauty or danger it possesses to people that see it. Although we are unaware, we see that it refers to us to "Pluck a leaf. Close your eyes. Smell its acrid odour" as though nature has a hidden talent of showing us the beauty inside it. We are also able to see that Abse personifies the tree with the phrase, "Comfort the green tree" therefore stating to us that even no this tree has no identity it is still alive and aware of the nature outside portraying a positive view.
Within the second stanza we can see that they have been able to provide the tree with a name known as "Evodia danieli" and also that its true origin is within Korea. We however see a negative side towards people due to how they wish to "boast" about what they have discovered. They have become greedy with knowledge that will allow them to look better and much more sophisticated towards their friends. From this we see that people allow knowledge to raise them up in society and do not take the benefit of nature that we are surrounded in.
From looking within stanza three we learn the people portray this tree to be rare and holy due to how they encourage people to smell its leaves. From the line "Its rare as Welsh gold" we see that Abse has used a metaphor to portray to the audience how much this couple are trying to make it seem holy when really it is not. They are trying to give it a false/new identity compared to its old one to make it seem more exciting and glamourous. We also see that it compares to curing people with the line "It'll charm away your cold" and this is supported with the line in the first stanza saying, "Oriental dispensary".The word "Oriental" refers to being within the East therefore stating the true location of the tree to being within Eastern Korea and the word "dispensary" means an office filled with medications. From this we are able to see the link between the two lines to showing that this plant is able to be used to make medicines for the ill therefore suggesting it has a great deal more importance then many other plants.
As we move onto the final stanza we learn the humourous mistake the couple have made. One of the key lines within this stanza would be "Tired of lies" for it informs the reader that the tree is tired of having this false identity to show all these people and wants its true self to be shown and appreciated. It hates the fame that it is being given by humans and therefore we are able to see that its life within this home has been fake. From the final two lines we see the tree transform into its normal form of a walnut tree and due to the line "shamelessly free of disguise" we learn that there is no shame to what we appear to look like. The tree has no shame in becoming what it truly is even though it will not get the same attention and love as it did before. Therefore we see Abse refering to a life lesson of us having to be ourselves and not want people make us to be or want us to be.
The poems that would link to The Mistake by Larkin would be Self's the Man and Essential Beauty. Self's the Man due to having self assessed itself and coming to realise what is good and bad within its life and Essential Beauty due to how it portrays the sense of being an advertisement and hiding the truth behind everyone until they have brought the product and are aware of what it really is.
Within the second stanza we can see that they have been able to provide the tree with a name known as "Evodia danieli" and also that its true origin is within Korea. We however see a negative side towards people due to how they wish to "boast" about what they have discovered. They have become greedy with knowledge that will allow them to look better and much more sophisticated towards their friends. From this we see that people allow knowledge to raise them up in society and do not take the benefit of nature that we are surrounded in.
From looking within stanza three we learn the people portray this tree to be rare and holy due to how they encourage people to smell its leaves. From the line "Its rare as Welsh gold" we see that Abse has used a metaphor to portray to the audience how much this couple are trying to make it seem holy when really it is not. They are trying to give it a false/new identity compared to its old one to make it seem more exciting and glamourous. We also see that it compares to curing people with the line "It'll charm away your cold" and this is supported with the line in the first stanza saying, "Oriental dispensary".The word "Oriental" refers to being within the East therefore stating the true location of the tree to being within Eastern Korea and the word "dispensary" means an office filled with medications. From this we are able to see the link between the two lines to showing that this plant is able to be used to make medicines for the ill therefore suggesting it has a great deal more importance then many other plants.
As we move onto the final stanza we learn the humourous mistake the couple have made. One of the key lines within this stanza would be "Tired of lies" for it informs the reader that the tree is tired of having this false identity to show all these people and wants its true self to be shown and appreciated. It hates the fame that it is being given by humans and therefore we are able to see that its life within this home has been fake. From the final two lines we see the tree transform into its normal form of a walnut tree and due to the line "shamelessly free of disguise" we learn that there is no shame to what we appear to look like. The tree has no shame in becoming what it truly is even though it will not get the same attention and love as it did before. Therefore we see Abse refering to a life lesson of us having to be ourselves and not want people make us to be or want us to be.
The poems that would link to The Mistake by Larkin would be Self's the Man and Essential Beauty. Self's the Man due to having self assessed itself and coming to realise what is good and bad within its life and Essential Beauty due to how it portrays the sense of being an advertisement and hiding the truth behind everyone until they have brought the product and are aware of what it really is.
Tuesday 29 April 2014
A Wall - Dannie Abse
From looking at this short poem we are able to instantly see that this poem would link to Here by Larkin due to the description of a place. From within the first stanza it portrays how useless and meaningless this wall is and is shown with the line, "it begins for no reason, ends no place". there is no purpose for this wall and the original significance of this wall is no longer there for it has been lost with everything else over time. This is also a link to the poems An Arundel Tomb by Larkin and also At Caerleon by Abse. Although the audience is unsure of what its origianl purpose was, we are able to see that within the society is it placed into now that it is out of place and context from everything else surrounding it.
From the second stanza we are able to see that the use of the line "Don't say this wall is useless" can inform us of a purpose found for the wall. Abse is portraying to the readers that everything has a purpose no matter what it is or how old it is. Larkin however does not state this within his poems, he is far more negative to the world and what occurs within it whilst Abse seems to be always looking for a positive aspect on whatever it is.
As we see this wall is really a home for nature and can be seen due to the words "golden lichens" and "butterflies". There is a habitat occuring within this wall meaning a sense of life instead of refering to death in the stanza before. The wall portrayed the notion of death due to how it could of been the remains of history and therefore held some status of death within it. Abse however has changed this notion within the second stanza and provided us the evidence to see that it is really holding life. This wall is not useless and we see that the use of the word "golden" is placed as shinning and royal. From this we can imagine this habitat to be a great deal of importance to the creatures that live within it and they feel like this is their haven. We also see that it is used by larger animals and not just small insects with how "huddling sheep" use this wall as shelter. This is refered to as now and we see that this wall is a part of the landscape and the scene has absorbed the wall into the picture. As we have already seen the poems that link to A Wall would be An Arundel Tomb, Here and First Sights. Here would link to this poem due to the description of a place and An Arundel Tomb would due to the true purpose being lost and the remains of it left the audience to wonder. Finally First sights would link into this poem due to how it goes on about life and the poet thinking with a philosophical ending that sees a point to nature.
From the second stanza we are able to see that the use of the line "Don't say this wall is useless" can inform us of a purpose found for the wall. Abse is portraying to the readers that everything has a purpose no matter what it is or how old it is. Larkin however does not state this within his poems, he is far more negative to the world and what occurs within it whilst Abse seems to be always looking for a positive aspect on whatever it is.
As we see this wall is really a home for nature and can be seen due to the words "golden lichens" and "butterflies". There is a habitat occuring within this wall meaning a sense of life instead of refering to death in the stanza before. The wall portrayed the notion of death due to how it could of been the remains of history and therefore held some status of death within it. Abse however has changed this notion within the second stanza and provided us the evidence to see that it is really holding life. This wall is not useless and we see that the use of the word "golden" is placed as shinning and royal. From this we can imagine this habitat to be a great deal of importance to the creatures that live within it and they feel like this is their haven. We also see that it is used by larger animals and not just small insects with how "huddling sheep" use this wall as shelter. This is refered to as now and we see that this wall is a part of the landscape and the scene has absorbed the wall into the picture. As we have already seen the poems that link to A Wall would be An Arundel Tomb, Here and First Sights. Here would link to this poem due to the description of a place and An Arundel Tomb would due to the true purpose being lost and the remains of it left the audience to wonder. Finally First sights would link into this poem due to how it goes on about life and the poet thinking with a philosophical ending that sees a point to nature.
Sunday 27 April 2014
A Heritage - Dannie Abse
From looking at this poem we are able to see that their is a great deal of reference to death and loss. From the use of the words "fossils", "funerals" and "skelertons" we are able to imagine a negative and unnatural setting from Abse' description. From reading the first few stanza i got the impression that Abse was portraying a negative way of a funeral with "The bawling pit-hooter" and "this black-robed god". From these it appears as though he is talking of the man that has dug the grave and the reverend waiting for the service. He is portrayed as being the "god" within the grounds and therefore rules all the lost dead souls that are within the grounds. We also question whether this is a historical poem with how Abse talks of horses and human skulls within the ground refering us to a battle that has occured. This would link into the poem MCMXIV with the use of the war and the memory of it.
As we continue through this poem we see the use of scenery of the mountain that gives us the impression of being alone or lost from the remains of others. Abse uses the words "Above, on the brutalised, unstitched side of a Welsh mountain" we see that pain has been conflicted and has not been hidden from other peoples eyes. We could also refer to there being a battle upon the mountain and the bodies have been left there in their memory.
As we move through the poem we also see that Abse is talking about fire and coal-mines within the final stanzas. From these we see that Abse could be telling the audience that instead of a battle occuring here, it could of been an accident that occured within a mine resulting in many lives lost. This poem is portrayed as being very negative due to the final two stanzas with which we learn that an accident had taken place and they are now taken up to heaven with the use of the line, "the re-entry of the exiled god into his shadowless kingdom". This line refers to the audience as perhaps death being personified as a person and has come within this dark time when this accident has occured, taking many lives to his own kingdom which is heaven or hell.
We also see the reference to death with "blood-stained black roses" and therefore see that darkness has captured the lives of people and they are unable to escape whilst these two people, (could be two death gods) watch over in fasination. They is also the reference that they are not human due to how he drinks acid and with them watching over this wasteland.
I really struggled with this poem and do not think my ideas of what Abse is saying is right. Please help!
As we continue through this poem we see the use of scenery of the mountain that gives us the impression of being alone or lost from the remains of others. Abse uses the words "Above, on the brutalised, unstitched side of a Welsh mountain" we see that pain has been conflicted and has not been hidden from other peoples eyes. We could also refer to there being a battle upon the mountain and the bodies have been left there in their memory.
As we move through the poem we also see that Abse is talking about fire and coal-mines within the final stanzas. From these we see that Abse could be telling the audience that instead of a battle occuring here, it could of been an accident that occured within a mine resulting in many lives lost. This poem is portrayed as being very negative due to the final two stanzas with which we learn that an accident had taken place and they are now taken up to heaven with the use of the line, "the re-entry of the exiled god into his shadowless kingdom". This line refers to the audience as perhaps death being personified as a person and has come within this dark time when this accident has occured, taking many lives to his own kingdom which is heaven or hell.
We also see the reference to death with "blood-stained black roses" and therefore see that darkness has captured the lives of people and they are unable to escape whilst these two people, (could be two death gods) watch over in fasination. They is also the reference that they are not human due to how he drinks acid and with them watching over this wasteland.
I really struggled with this poem and do not think my ideas of what Abse is saying is right. Please help!
Saturday 26 April 2014
In The Welsh National Museum - Dannie Abse
From reading this poem we are able to see that the persona is talking about a portrait his friend Josef Herman had painted of him. We can see that Josef has a way with paint due to how he portrays the use of colour within the first stanza. This is portrayed as being negative due to the line, "Autumn is your season" and therefore gives us the notion that nature is dying. This could mean that he has placed Abse within a different light when painting him and the real Abse is not being shown within this portrait no matter how much effort Josef has placed within this work.
As we continue through this poem we see that Abse informs Josef that the painting is not like him with the line, "Josef, this other is not me". He sees that this is not what he is like or brings him the worry of people seeing him like this. This then makes him feel like he is portrayed as being a negative person due to this portrait and makes him feel like he needs to change.
As we go to the next stanza we see that Abse is talking about this other person who he sees within this portrait is not him and therefore his passport would have be forged. He has a fake identity for he is not the real Abse. We also get the negative impression within Poland with the lines, "his exile inevitable, his wound undescribable" and informs the audience to imagine the worse with punishments and tortures that have occured. He then goes on to talking about his clothing not be worn down or turned ragged and therefore is able to make the link between reality and the fiction of this image. Within reality we know that once clothing becomes worn down we then buy new clothing. This is represented with how the painting never changes whilst in reality we do making the portrait also to look nothing like Abse for he can always change but the picture cant.
From the next stanza, we see that it is almost like we are able to link to what the viewer of this picture is feeling with the line "that look of loss". They are confused about this image and are unsure if this image is portraying the truth or is lying to them. It could be both or just one of these references.
We also see the poet, Dylan Thomas is brought up in this poem and is placed as being terrified of the image that is shown of Abse. This could also link to how Josef is wrong about his view on Abse for Dylan has a "pettrified" expression upon his face.
We then also see that this image is portraying a negative approach to the Welsh community for they speak of religion and facing the devil. Abse has been placed as a worker of the devil and is portrayed to his people as being an outsider. He then ends the poem with questioning Josef about his work and the magic he has placed upon it. It is almost as though Josef has twisted people's views on him all due to a simple portrait and he questions what has really happened.
Poems that are by Larkin that could link to Abse would be Self's the Man and MCMXIV. The reason these poems are able to link to Abse is how he has the reference of memory with war and also the notion that he is making a self assessment all due to a painting. It could also link to any of Larkin's poem of Faith Healing with how it relates to religion and how God is able to help. In Abse we see that no God will help Abse at this time and he is within the view of the devil.
As we continue through this poem we see that Abse informs Josef that the painting is not like him with the line, "Josef, this other is not me". He sees that this is not what he is like or brings him the worry of people seeing him like this. This then makes him feel like he is portrayed as being a negative person due to this portrait and makes him feel like he needs to change.
As we go to the next stanza we see that Abse is talking about this other person who he sees within this portrait is not him and therefore his passport would have be forged. He has a fake identity for he is not the real Abse. We also get the negative impression within Poland with the lines, "his exile inevitable, his wound undescribable" and informs the audience to imagine the worse with punishments and tortures that have occured. He then goes on to talking about his clothing not be worn down or turned ragged and therefore is able to make the link between reality and the fiction of this image. Within reality we know that once clothing becomes worn down we then buy new clothing. This is represented with how the painting never changes whilst in reality we do making the portrait also to look nothing like Abse for he can always change but the picture cant.
From the next stanza, we see that it is almost like we are able to link to what the viewer of this picture is feeling with the line "that look of loss". They are confused about this image and are unsure if this image is portraying the truth or is lying to them. It could be both or just one of these references.
We also see the poet, Dylan Thomas is brought up in this poem and is placed as being terrified of the image that is shown of Abse. This could also link to how Josef is wrong about his view on Abse for Dylan has a "pettrified" expression upon his face.
We then also see that this image is portraying a negative approach to the Welsh community for they speak of religion and facing the devil. Abse has been placed as a worker of the devil and is portrayed to his people as being an outsider. He then ends the poem with questioning Josef about his work and the magic he has placed upon it. It is almost as though Josef has twisted people's views on him all due to a simple portrait and he questions what has really happened.
Poems that are by Larkin that could link to Abse would be Self's the Man and MCMXIV. The reason these poems are able to link to Abse is how he has the reference of memory with war and also the notion that he is making a self assessment all due to a painting. It could also link to any of Larkin's poem of Faith Healing with how it relates to religion and how God is able to help. In Abse we see that no God will help Abse at this time and he is within the view of the devil.
Down the M4 - Dannie Abse
From looking within the first stanza we see that the persona is afraid of what is to occur of his mother and is seen with the line, "this time afraid". Each time he has visited his mother there has been no fear in seeing her but throughout this stanza we see that she has aged greatly and this causes him some concern. We also the reference of death due to the word "hole" which could refer to being buried and therefore suggests to the audience that with many other members and friends of the family dying, he is scared that his mother is next. We also see her time is limited with the line, "The beautiful face of my mother is in its ninth decade" and also how much she means to the persona with refering her to being beautiful. She is comforting and kind like any other mother is to their child and he is scared of not being able to see that anymore due to her coming close to the stage of death.
When we move into the second stanza we see that he has been told the same stories repeatedly through his visits and we see that with hearing these stories for so long, we see the reference of him aging also with the line, "till I feel my hair turning grey". We also get the link of the mother talking about clocks which could link into how her life is slowly ending and her time that she has left. Although the persona finds it to be dull the audience is able to see that he feels like his time is fading with how his hair is turning old. It almost gives a negative impression of the persona for he is not listening to his mothers advise on spending time wisely and finds this a waste of time with how he sits there answering the same answer each time.
We also get a negative view with the use of the word "perishable" which refers to the audience as things decaying. He then makes the similie of it being like a rugby amateur that collects sovereigns and therefore suggests that to this is a pointless waste of time.
In stanza three we see that he talks of a river within the south of Wales and refers to other family members. We see that he talks of the grandmother Annabella and speaks of her being a great importance with influencing people as she is represented as being "genuine". We also are able to state that this is also another person that is no longer with us and has now died therefore stating the fact that time has gone too quickly.
Finally within the final stanza we see the notion of time changing due to how "bridges that leap over me, then shrink in my side mirror". We see that once something has happened you must continue through life and is represented with the metaphor on the bridges. We also see that his mother is no longer alive due to him whistling a tune that reminds him of her. This links into the poem of Love Songs in Age due to how a small item can remind them of a loved person which is what he is doing. The ending words of "It wont keep" inform the reader that the song will be forgotten as will his mother and they will not remain forever. He is recalling his true feelings of his mother within the song and she is all that is on his mind when making his journey to South Wales.
Other poems that could link to this would be The Whitsun Weddings, Love Songs in Age and also Send No Money. These poems can link into Abse with the reference of memory, loss of time or loved ones and also a journey.
When we move into the second stanza we see that he has been told the same stories repeatedly through his visits and we see that with hearing these stories for so long, we see the reference of him aging also with the line, "till I feel my hair turning grey". We also get the link of the mother talking about clocks which could link into how her life is slowly ending and her time that she has left. Although the persona finds it to be dull the audience is able to see that he feels like his time is fading with how his hair is turning old. It almost gives a negative impression of the persona for he is not listening to his mothers advise on spending time wisely and finds this a waste of time with how he sits there answering the same answer each time.
We also get a negative view with the use of the word "perishable" which refers to the audience as things decaying. He then makes the similie of it being like a rugby amateur that collects sovereigns and therefore suggests that to this is a pointless waste of time.
In stanza three we see that he talks of a river within the south of Wales and refers to other family members. We see that he talks of the grandmother Annabella and speaks of her being a great importance with influencing people as she is represented as being "genuine". We also are able to state that this is also another person that is no longer with us and has now died therefore stating the fact that time has gone too quickly.
Finally within the final stanza we see the notion of time changing due to how "bridges that leap over me, then shrink in my side mirror". We see that once something has happened you must continue through life and is represented with the metaphor on the bridges. We also see that his mother is no longer alive due to him whistling a tune that reminds him of her. This links into the poem of Love Songs in Age due to how a small item can remind them of a loved person which is what he is doing. The ending words of "It wont keep" inform the reader that the song will be forgotten as will his mother and they will not remain forever. He is recalling his true feelings of his mother within the song and she is all that is on his mind when making his journey to South Wales.
Other poems that could link to this would be The Whitsun Weddings, Love Songs in Age and also Send No Money. These poems can link into Abse with the reference of memory, loss of time or loved ones and also a journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)