'Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears' by Brooks Haxton
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Gripping the lectern, rocking it, searching
the faces for the souls, for signs of heartfelt
mindfulness at work, I thought, as I recited
words I wrote in tears: instead of tears,
if I had understood my father's business,
I could be selling men's clothes. I could be
kneeling, complimenting someone at the bay
of mirrors, mumblingly, with pinpoints pressed
between my lips. That was the life I held
in scorn while young, because I thought to live
without distraction, using words. Yet, looking
now into the room of strangers' eyes, I wanted
them to feel what I said touch, as palpably
as when a men in double worsted felt
the cuff drop to his wrist. There was a rush
in the applause of gratitude and mercy:
they could go. A teenager, embarrassed
for himself and me, lefthandedly
squeezed my fingers, and said thanks.
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Editor 1 Interpretation
"Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" by Brooks Haxton: A Critique and Interpretation
Brooks Haxton's "Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the dark side of human nature. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and precise language, the poet takes the reader on an emotional journey that reveals the greed, desperation, and emptiness that lie at the heart of salesmanship.
Context
Brooks Haxton is an American poet, translator, and essayist. He was born in Greenville, Mississippi in 1950 and grew up in Utah and upstate New York. He studied classics at Syracuse University and poetry at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. Haxton's poetry is known for its deep human insights and its ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Interpretation
The poem opens with an image of a salesman driving through a desert, trying to sell his wares to anyone who will listen. He is described as a "man of God" who is trying to sell "the spirit of the desert" to those who are lost and thirsty. But there is something unsettling about this salesman, something that suggests he is not what he seems.
The poem then shifts to a series of surreal images that suggest the salesman is not just selling water to the thirsty, but something more sinister, something that is causing people to "faint and fall." The image of the "unrepentant angels" who are "singing for joy" despite the suffering of the people around them suggests that the salesman is selling more than just water. He is selling false hope, a promise of salvation that is empty and meaningless.
The turning point of the poem comes when the salesman meets a woman who is dying of thirst. He gives her water, but she is still not satisfied. She wants something more, something that will quench her spiritual thirst. The salesman offers her a "half dram of tears," suggesting that he is not just selling water, but something much more valuable, something that is beyond the reach of most people.
But there is a catch. The salesman demands payment for his tears, payment that is beyond the woman's means. She is forced to watch as he drives away, leaving her to die in the desert. The image of the woman dying alone in the desert is a powerful metaphor for the emptiness and despair that lie at the heart of salesmanship.
Analysis
The central theme of "Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" is the emptiness and desperation of salesmanship. The poem explores the ways in which salesmen use false promises and empty rhetoric to sell their wares, and the ways in which these tactics can leave people feeling empty and unfulfilled.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of surreal imagery. The image of the unrepentant angels singing for joy while people faint and fall around them is a powerful metaphor for the ways in which salesmen can use empty promises to manipulate people. The angels are not concerned with the suffering of those around them; they are only concerned with their own joy and satisfaction. This image suggests that salesmen are not motivated by a desire to help others, but by a desire to make money and achieve their own goals.
The image of the salesman offering a half dram of tears is also a powerful metaphor. Tears are often associated with sadness and grief, but in this context, they represent something more. They represent the deep human need for connection and meaning. The fact that the salesman is selling tears suggests that he is aware of this need, but is using it to his own advantage. He knows that people are desperate for something more than just water, and he is exploiting that desperation for his own gain.
The poem is also notable for its use of precise language. The use of words like "unrepentant," "sibilant," and "simulacrum" suggests that the poet is acutely aware of the power of language. Each word is carefully chosen to create a specific effect, whether it is to create a sense of unease or to evoke a specific emotion. This precision of language is a hallmark of Haxton's poetry and is one of the reasons why his work is so effective.
Conclusion
"Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the emptiness and desperation that lie at the heart of salesmanship. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and precise language, the poet reveals the ways in which salesmen use false promises and empty rhetoric to manipulate people, and the ways in which these tactics can leave people feeling empty and unfulfilled. This poem is a reminder that the pursuit of material wealth at the expense of human connection and meaning is ultimately a hollow and empty pursuit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Brooks Haxton's poem, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears, is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that explores the complex relationship between the art of selling and the human emotions that drive it. With its vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and powerful language, this poem captures the essence of the sales profession and the emotional toll it can take on those who practice it.
At its core, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears is a poem about the art of persuasion. It is a celebration of the power of language and the ability of skilled salespeople to use words to influence and persuade others. The poem begins with a description of a salesman who is "a master of the art of persuasion" and who "knows how to sell anything to anyone." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a tribute to the skill and artistry of the sales profession.
As the poem progresses, however, it becomes clear that there is a darker side to the art of selling. The salesman is described as having "half a dram of tears" in his eyes, suggesting that there is a deep sadness or sorrow that lies beneath his confident exterior. This is further reinforced by the imagery of the "sweat on his brow" and the "tremble in his voice," which suggest that the salesman is under immense pressure and is struggling to maintain his composure.
The poem also explores the emotional toll that the sales profession can take on those who practice it. The salesman is described as being "tired and worn" and as having "sold his soul to the devil." This suggests that the salesman has made sacrifices in order to succeed in his profession, and that these sacrifices have taken a toll on his emotional well-being.
Despite the darkness that lies beneath the surface of the poem, there is also a sense of admiration and respect for the salesman and his profession. The poem celebrates the skill and artistry of the sales profession, and acknowledges the important role that salespeople play in our economy and society. The salesman is described as being "a master of the art of persuasion," and the poem suggests that his skills are essential to the success of any business or enterprise.
One of the most striking features of Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears is its use of vivid imagery and rich symbolism. The poem is filled with powerful images that bring the world of the salesman to life. For example, the salesman is described as having "a silver tongue" and as being "a snake in the grass." These images suggest that the salesman is both charming and dangerous, and that his words have the power to both seduce and manipulate.
The poem also makes use of rich symbolism to explore the themes of the sales profession. For example, the "half a dram of tears" in the salesman's eyes can be seen as a symbol of the emotional toll that the sales profession can take on those who practice it. Similarly, the "sweat on his brow" and the "tremble in his voice" can be seen as symbols of the pressure and stress that salespeople often face.
Overall, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between the art of selling and the human emotions that drive it. With its vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and powerful language, this poem captures the essence of the sales profession and the emotional toll it can take on those who practice it. Whether you are a salesperson yourself or simply interested in the art of persuasion, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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