'Success Comes To Cow Creek' by James Tate


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I sit on the tracks,
a hundred feet from
earth, fifty from the
water. Gerald is
inching toward me
as grim, slow, and
determined as a
season, because he
has no trade and wants
none. It's been nine months
since I last listened
to his fate, but I
know what he will say:
he's the fire hydrant
of the underdog.

When he reaches my
point above the creek,
he sits down without
salutation, and
spits profoundly out
past the edge, and peeks
for meaning in the
ripple it brings. He
scowls. He speaks: when you
walk down any street
you see nothing but
coagulations
of shit and vomit,
and I'm sick of it.
I suggest suicide;
he prefers murder,
and spits again for
the sake of all the
great devout losers.

A conductor's horn
concerto breaks the
air, and we, two doomed
pennies on the track,
shove off and somersault
like anesthetized
fleas, ruffling the
ideal locomotive
poised on the water
with our light, dry bodies.
Gerald shouts
terrifically as
he sails downstream like
a young man with a
destination. I
swim toward shore as
fast as my boots will
allow; as always,
neglecting to drown.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Success Comes To Cow Creek: A Critical Interpretation

Success Comes To Cow Creek is a classic poem written by James Tate in 1973, which explores the themes of success, failure, and human nature. The poem is structured in free verse and contains six stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza presents a different perspective on the concept of success and the various ways in which it can be achieved. In this critical interpretation, we will delve into the poem's themes, use of language, and imagery, and explore its deeper meaning.

Themes

One of the main themes of Success Comes To Cow Creek is the idea that success is subjective and can be achieved in a variety of ways. The poem presents several different characters, each of whom has their own idea of what success means to them. We see this in the first stanza when the speaker describes the "dull-witted cowboy" who finds success in catching a large fish. To him, success means catching a fish that is bigger than anyone else's. However, in the second stanza, we see a different perspective on success. This time, it is the "red-necked mechanic" who finds success in fixing a car that no one else can. In both cases, success is defined by the individual and their own personal goals.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea that success often comes at a cost. We see this in the third stanza when the speaker describes the "rich man" who has achieved financial success but has lost touch with his humanity. The rich man is portrayed as cold and unfeeling, and his success has come at the expense of his relationships with others. Similarly, in the fourth stanza, we see the "famous movie star" who has achieved success but is now trapped in a cycle of endless publicity and exploitation. In both cases, success has come at the cost of personal happiness and fulfillment.

The final stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker themselves, who has been reflecting on the various definitions and costs of success throughout the poem. The speaker admits that they themselves have not achieved the level of success that they had hoped for, but they find solace in the fact that they have retained their humanity and sense of self. This final stanza serves as a reminder that success is not the only measure of a person's worth and that there are other aspects of life that are equally important.

Language and Imagery

One of the standout features of Success Comes To Cow Creek is the use of vivid and evocative imagery throughout the poem. Each stanza presents a different scene or scenario, and the language used to describe each one is rich and detailed. For example, in the first stanza, the fish that the dull-witted cowboy catches is described as a "titanic carp" and is portrayed as something almost mythical in its size and power. Similarly, in the second stanza, the red-necked mechanic's car is described as "a new and valuable machine" that is the envy of all who see it.

The language used in the third and fourth stanzas is particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss and disillusionment that comes with achieving success at the cost of one's humanity. The rich man is described as being "cold and calculating" and his success is portrayed as a kind of prison that he cannot escape. Similarly, the famous movie star is portrayed as being "chained to her public image" and unable to live a normal life. The use of powerful and emotive language in these stanzas serves to highlight the negative consequences of pursuing success at any cost.

Interpretation

At its core, Success Comes To Cow Creek is a meditation on the nature of success and the human desire for achievement. The poem explores the idea that success is subjective and can be achieved in a variety of ways, but it also highlights the costs that can come with pursuing success at any cost. The final stanza serves as a reminder that there are other aspects of life that are equally important, such as personal fulfillment and a sense of self.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the American Dream and the idea that success is the ultimate goal of life. The rich man and the famous movie star are both examples of individuals who have achieved the American Dream but have lost touch with their humanity in the process. The poem suggests that there is more to life than the pursuit of success and that true happiness and fulfillment come from within.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of individuality and the idea that success is defined by the individual and their own personal goals. The dull-witted cowboy and the red-necked mechanic both find success in their own way, and their achievements are no less valid than those of the rich man or the famous movie star. The poem suggests that everyone has their own path to success and that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be successful.

Conclusion

Success Comes To Cow Creek is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex nature of success and the human desire for achievement. Through its use of vivid language and imagery, the poem presents a variety of perspectives on success and the costs that can come with pursuing it at any cost. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder that success is not the only measure of a person's worth and that there are other aspects of life that are equally important.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Success Comes To Cow Creek: A Poem Analysis

Success Comes To Cow Creek is a classic poem written by James Tate, an American poet known for his surreal and absurd style of writing. The poem was first published in his collection of poems, The Oblivion Ha-Ha, in 1970. The poem is a satirical take on the American Dream and the pursuit of success. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem is set in Cow Creek, a small town in America. The speaker of the poem is a resident of the town who is excited about the arrival of success in their town. The poem starts with the line, "Success is speaking in tongues / and the tongues are all Cow Creek." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is suggesting that success has arrived in their town and everyone is talking about it. The use of the phrase "speaking in tongues" is interesting because it is often associated with religious experiences. The speaker is suggesting that success is a kind of religion in their town.

The next few lines of the poem describe the arrival of success in Cow Creek. The speaker says, "Success is a tall man / with a big hat and a big car / and a big smile that says / I'm the one you've been waiting for." The description of success as a tall man with a big hat and a big car is a stereotypical image of success. The speaker is suggesting that success is not just an abstract concept but a physical presence in their town. The line "I'm the one you've been waiting for" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have been waiting for success to arrive. This line also implies that success is something that is external to the people of Cow Creek. They need someone or something to bring success to them.

The next few lines of the poem describe the reaction of the people of Cow Creek to the arrival of success. The speaker says, "The people of Cow Creek / are lining up to touch him / and they're saying things like / I knew you'd come someday." The use of the phrase "lining up to touch him" is interesting because it suggests that success is something that can be physically touched. The people of Cow Creek are treating success like a celebrity. They want to be close to him and touch him. The line "I knew you'd come someday" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have been waiting for success for a long time. They have been hoping and praying for success to arrive in their town.

The next few lines of the poem describe the effect of success on the people of Cow Creek. The speaker says, "The people of Cow Creek / are feeling good about themselves / and they're saying things like / we're just as good as anybody else." The arrival of success in Cow Creek has boosted the self-esteem of the people. They feel proud of themselves and their town. The line "we're just as good as anybody else" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have been feeling inferior to others. They have been comparing themselves to others and feeling inadequate. The arrival of success has changed their perspective.

The next few lines of the poem describe the behavior of success in Cow Creek. The speaker says, "Success is going to the diner / and ordering a cup of coffee / and the waitress is saying things like / you're the one we've been waiting for." The behavior of success in Cow Creek is interesting because it suggests that success is not just a physical presence but also a social presence. Success is interacting with the people of Cow Creek and becoming a part of their community. The line "you're the one we've been waiting for" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have been waiting for someone to bring success to their town. Success has become a symbol of hope for them.

The next few lines of the poem describe the impact of success on the economy of Cow Creek. The speaker says, "Success is buying up the town / and turning it into a theme park / and the people are saying things like / we're finally on the map." The arrival of success has transformed the economy of Cow Creek. Success has bought up the town and turned it into a theme park. The line "we're finally on the map" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have been feeling invisible and insignificant. The arrival of success has put their town on the map and made it visible to the rest of the world.

The next few lines of the poem describe the final outcome of success in Cow Creek. The speaker says, "Success is leaving Cow Creek / and the people are saying things like / we'll never forget you / and they're waving goodbye with tears in their eyes." The departure of success from Cow Creek is interesting because it suggests that success is not a permanent presence in their town. Success has come and gone. The line "we'll never forget you" is interesting because it suggests that the people of Cow Creek have formed an emotional attachment to success. They have come to see success as a savior who has brought them hope and prosperity.

In conclusion, Success Comes To Cow Creek is a satirical take on the American Dream and the pursuit of success. The poem uses surreal and absurd imagery to highlight the absurdity of the pursuit of success. The arrival of success in Cow Creek has transformed the town and the people. Success has become a symbol of hope and prosperity for the people of Cow Creek. However, the departure of success from Cow Creek suggests that success is not a permanent presence in our lives. Success comes and goes, and we must learn to appreciate it while it lasts.

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