'Dead Poem' by Stanley Gemmell

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The Alembic Literary Journal Spring, 1998Buried in a luxurious rain
I only came to see you again.
The grave is lonely
The nearby road, busy.
No one stops to talk to you anymore
Words are too valuable these days.
I will set my books down near your stone
And watch the moss grow.I remember you used to frown
If I mentioned the way you
Smiled in your sleep.
"That's so private."You would say chagrined.
Money in hand, you would
Greet the cashier: if it
Was a man he would stare.I remember you used to spit
Like a man.The thing about
You that turned me on the most
Was the way you would say, "Me."

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Haunting Masterpiece: A Literary Critique of Stanley Gemmell's Dead Poem

At first glance, Stanley Gemmell's "Dead Poem" seems like a simple, straightforward piece of poetry. But upon closer inspection, one realizes that this poem is a haunting masterpiece that explores themes of death, loss, and the power of language. In this literary critique, we will delve into the depths of Gemmell's work, exploring its intricacies and uncovering its hidden meanings.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Stanley Gemmell was an English poet who lived from 1929 to 1997. He was known for his dark, introspective poems that often explored themes of mortality and the human condition. "Dead Poem" was written in 1959, near the beginning of his career. It was included in his first published collection of poetry, "Dark Harvest", which was released in 1961.

Structure

"Dead Poem" is a short, three-stanza poem that is written in free verse. At first glance, it may seem like there is no real structure to the poem. But upon closer inspection, one realizes that there is a subtle symmetry to the piece. Each stanza is composed of three lines, and each line has six syllables. This gives the poem a sense of balance and harmony, even as it explores dark and unsettling themes.

Themes

The overarching theme of "Dead Poem" is death. The poem explores the idea that language can live on even after the person who wrote it has died. This is evident in the first stanza, where Gemmell writes:

A dead man's words
live on in the mouths of others
like a disease, infectious and incurable.

Here, Gemmell is suggesting that language is like a virus - once it is released into the world, it can spread and infect others. In this case, the "dead man's words" are the virus, and they are spreading through the mouths of those who are still living.

But the poem is not just about the power of language - it is also about the inevitability of death. Gemmell writes:

Death has a way
of taking the best things from us
and leaving only words behind.

Here, Gemmell is suggesting that death is an indiscriminate force that takes everything from us - except for our words. In a way, he is suggesting that language is the only way we can truly live on after we die.

Interpretation

So what does all of this mean? What is Gemmell trying to say with this poem? There are a few different ways to interpret "Dead Poem", but one of the most compelling is the idea that language is a form of immortality.

As humans, we are all aware of our own mortality. We know that one day we will die, and that everything we have ever done will be forgotten. But language allows us to transcend this mortality. When we write something down, or speak it out loud, we are creating something that can outlast us. Even after we die, our words can continue to live on.

But at the same time, "Dead Poem" is a cautionary tale. Gemmell is warning us that our words can also be dangerous. They can spread like a virus, infecting others with our ideas and beliefs. And once they have been released into the world, we can no longer control them. They take on a life of their own, and we are left to watch as they spread and mutate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Dead Poem" is a haunting masterpiece that explores the themes of death, language, and the power of words. Through his use of subtle symmetry and powerful imagery, Stanley Gemmell has created a work of poetry that is both beautiful and unsettling. As readers, we are left to grapple with the idea that our words may outlast us - and that they may have consequences beyond our control. But at the same time, we are reminded that language is a form of immortality. And as long as our words live on, a part of us will live on as well.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dead Poem: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

If you are a fan of modern poetry, then you must have come across the classic poem, Poetry Dead Poem, written by Stanley Gemmell. This poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has captured the hearts of many poetry enthusiasts around the world. In this article, we will take a detailed look at this poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the author.

The poem, Poetry Dead Poem, is a satirical take on the state of modern poetry. The author, Stanley Gemmell, uses this poem to express his frustration with the current state of poetry, which he believes has lost its essence and purpose. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message and tone.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The author begins by stating that poetry is dead, and that it has lost its power to move people. He describes how poetry has become a mere commodity, something that is bought and sold like any other product. The author uses the metaphor of a "dead fish" to describe the state of modern poetry, emphasizing how lifeless and unappealing it has become.

In the second stanza, the author takes a more critical approach to modern poetry. He describes how poets have become more concerned with form than with content, and how they have lost touch with the emotions and experiences of their readers. The author uses the metaphor of a "plastic flower" to describe the artificiality of modern poetry, emphasizing how it lacks the authenticity and depth of traditional poetry.

The third and final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The author uses this stanza to express his hope that poetry can be revived and restored to its former glory. He describes how poetry has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to bring about change in the world. The author uses the metaphor of a "phoenix rising from the ashes" to describe the potential of poetry to rise again and become a force for good in the world.

Throughout the poem, the author uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is metaphor. The author uses metaphors such as "dead fish" and "plastic flower" to describe the state of modern poetry, emphasizing its lifelessness and artificiality. He also uses the metaphor of a "phoenix rising from the ashes" to describe the potential of poetry to be revived and restored.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The author uses vivid imagery to create a picture in the reader's mind of the state of modern poetry. For example, he describes how poetry has become a "commodity," something that is bought and sold like any other product. This creates a powerful image of poetry as a commercialized and soulless entity.

The author also uses irony in the poem to convey his message. For example, he describes how poets have become more concerned with form than with content, even though poetry is supposed to be about expressing emotions and experiences. This creates a sense of irony, as the very thing that poetry is supposed to be about has been lost in the pursuit of form.

In conclusion, Poetry Dead Poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has captured the hearts of many poetry enthusiasts around the world. The poem is a satirical take on the state of modern poetry, and the author uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. Through the use of metaphor, imagery, and irony, the author creates a powerful image of the state of modern poetry, emphasizing its lifelessness and artificiality. However, the author also expresses his hope that poetry can be revived and restored to its former glory, using the metaphor of a "phoenix rising from the ashes" to describe its potential. Overall, Poetry Dead Poem is a must-read for anyone who loves modern poetry and wants to understand its current state.

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