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Poetry newsletter - allusion and emotion in poetry |
I have a folder full of articles/lesson plans that I wrote about poetry and some major poetic devices, "Writing Poetry Writing Tips"  [ASR]. Although I addressed using sensory words and using the right word, I didn't tie the devices with emotion. The series on Emotion in Poetry will attempt to tie them together.In past issues, I discussed how to strengthen the emotion in poetry through alliteration and how metaphor and/or simile can be an enhancer. In this issue, I will discuss allusion's ability to add to the emotion of poetry. Viv   Next week's editor will be Becky Simpson   Allusion in Poetry Allusion, according to A Handbook to Literature by C. Hugh Holman, The Odyssey Press, "is a figure of speech making casual reference to a famous historical or literary figure or event." According to definitions in various literature and composition text books, an allusion is the casual reference to a figure or event in history or literature that creates a mental image in the mind of the reader. All right, young man in the back, what's the problem? I hear you whispering. Maybe I can answer your question better than your neighbor. "Uh, well, I just think maybe you have confused something. Isn't an allusion something you see that isn't there?" Thank you. I'm so glad you asked that question. Many people do confuse allusion and illusion. An allusion is the reference to someone or something in literature or history. Illusion is something which is not actually seen or which does not really exist. One example of an allusion would be something like "Like a modern Daniel, the brave little boy strode to the playground in order to face the school bully." The reference to Daniel from the Bible who faced hungry lions brings bravery to mind. Another allusion might be "The Paul Bunyon of a man filled the small room." An illusion might be "Jim Ross told everyone about the flying saucer he watched in the night sky. His wife shook her head in disbelief. 'You also say you saw me do a strip tease on the front porch, illusions the result of over-inbibing that brew you make in the garage'." Many times writers, especially poets, allude to Biblical characters and events. In The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare used the line "A Daniel come to judgement." T.S. Eliot uses a complex literary allusion in his The Waste Land and in his notes about that poem. I use allusion occasionally, as in the following poems, and many times I allude to something Biblical as I do in these. "Lost and Found" Screams rend the night darkness As chaos reigns in sleeping minds. Fighting echoing shrieks to awareness, Those once drowsing find themselves Now huddling in fear beneath covers. Fire flickers through the filter of eyelids, While those braver than the rest peek To glimpse shadows of nightmares Lingering in delight of tears streaming Down cheeks of those too scared to run. Then faith reaches out its hopeful hand To touch and tame the frightful madness That only Hell can bring to those who live. The hero of a demon-filled existence Is the One who loves man the most. The allusion to Hell brings to mind the agony that is to be found there. "Live Forever" Who wants to live forever? So the pain of heart and limbs Can endure ever lasting? Discomfort will grow each day Until I won’t want to stay. Talk of immortality, I could greet my grandchildren’s Progeny for many years. But when their time disappears, I would be overwhelmed with tears. I could watch history pass With war, disease, desolation. Leaders would rise and then fall, Bringing hope, sometimes despair, But never long-lasting care. I don’t want to live forever, Not in this world we now know. I want to know that some day I will be able to escape To a place not filled with hate. Who wants to live forever? In a place of cloudless skies, Of love, peace, and endless joy, Sunlight gleams without a storm, Glory found in every form. I will take forever life In the place where He’s alive, To know that everyone there Need not be separated Nor ever feel incarcerated. No pain, no illness, no tears Will be seen much less known, War, a word not even heard. Yes, I will live forever Once I cross Jordan's river. In the Bible, the river Jordan came to mean the river that one crosses into Heaven, therefore respresenting death. In the first poem, the allusion adds to the emotion of agony, pain, torture. However, in the second poem, the allusion adds to the imagery but not exactly to the emotion. So what allusion brings an emotional image to mind? What does Sir Gallahad bring to mind? Courage, love, knight in shining armor all come to mind, emotional reactions. "Closure" The young boy’s eyes sparkled As he spied the golden curls Peeking from under her winter cap. Since an eight-year-old isn’t poetic, He packed snow into a ball And threw with all his might, Knocking the hat from her head. Imagine his surprise as she whirled And returned fire, hitting his chest, Where love for her bloomed. Over the years, fast friends They became as they skipped Hand in hand through school. His junior prom, she was his date, As was he for hers the next. After he left for college, Letters, like winged flames, Flew from him to her each week. The summer became a time of joy As they rebuilt their love again. In fall, they had to part once more, He back to the next level; She, to the college in town. Once full of love and laughter, Messages from her came Slower and shorter each time. Soon, by Christmas, they stopped. By end of semester, he heard She gave her love to another. His heart turned to stone. Years passed, he earned a fortune, But he never had a family. At last the loner returned home To find his lost love not only Another’s wife, but a mother. He stood in the background, Knowing her husband could be ruined. He had the means; he had the hate. Then he saw her face in his mind And packed the hate away. He died the other day, A driver didn’t pause or stop. Many attended the funeral With one woman at the back. Tears pooled and spilled Before she wiped her face, Turned, and slipped away. Only later did she know He left her not only his heart But everything he had. Unknown to her, he had been more, Her Sir Galahad: Although he wore A tarnished, rusted suit of armor. I hope you will try using allusion in your poetry, for a touch of imagery if nothing else, but also try to see if the device can add a dose of emotion, too. Highlighted Items from W.Com Poetry with allusion:
An article about allusion:
Feedback, Winners, and New Question The winners to last month's question "How many lines does a Sijo have?" include the following members. One person sent an answer by email, and as I was afraid, I can't find the name. However I sent the GPs. Uh, yes, in a way this was a trick question with the traditional answer of three lines, but there is also the additional answer of six lines as used by many modern poets. I accepted the answer of three lines, though. I will add another question toward the end of this issue, and please send the answer by way of the feedback text box at the bottom. Winners Jacque Graham maddykitty jessiegirl Dr Taher writes again!  Angie ♫ Princess Robyn ♫ Rebecca Laffar-Smith greenpan... sleeping awake zeke2029 VerySara  Erik Stark njames51 From Jacque Graham In answer to the question, a Sijo has 3 lines. I enjoyed this newsletter very much and had fun reading the examples. From maddykitty Hi! Great newsletter! Just to answer the question; a Sijo poem has 3 lines. From jessiegirl Thanks for answering my question! Another great edition of this newsletter! I believe the answer to your question is 3! Thanks and have a great day!!! Jessie From Dr Taher writes again! The correct answer is : A sijo has three lines, which can be made into six half-lines. From ♫ Princess Robyn ♫ I wonder if this is a trick question. As you said in your newsletter, a Sijo has 3 lines, each with 14-16 syllables. Sometimes, the lines are divided in the middle of the syllable count to create 6 lines. Thanks for the interesting newsletter. Have a good one! Robyn From Rebecca Laffar-Smith "Sijo have three long lines. Each line varies between 14 and 16 syllables, with the middle line the longest... For better formatting in English, many times each line is divided as closely in half as content allows." - Vivian Gilbert Zabel A question where I can simply quote you. Too easy.  Thanks for the great issue, another interesting form for me to give a go. Have fun and keep writing. Yours truly, Rebecca From VerySara The traditional sijo has three lines. Modern poets are fond of breaking form with the traditional, but the sijo has three lines; in fact, these are three long lines, and contain 14, 16 and 14 syllables each, respectively. From Erik Stark Sijo an interesting format. They have three long lines to answer your question. Thanks for the info on the Waka! I like the challenge of the Haiku, but sometimes want more than three lines. I wonder if that is how the Waka came to be? Good newsletter! Erik From Cynaemon Okay, here it is! My first Sijo. Hugs, Cynaemon Winter Rains Winter rains, when will they stop, they flow on and on and on It has been many days now since I have seen the warm sun I hear frogs singing in the river, spring has come to warm me now. Hey, these are fun. Here is another one. Hugs, Cynaemon Punxatawny Phil’s Midwinter Break In early spring he awakens and comes out of his small house He came out in midwinter, on the ground saw his shadow, And decided to sleep for six more weeks, the groundhog Phil. Okay, one more just for good measure. Hugs, Cynaemon The Broken Heart of the Brave Makreela They came and laid bright flowers on his grave every spring The fallen hero, saviour of their fair world, loved by all, Mourned only by his true love, and the kitt who never knew him. From MandiK~ : p Just thought I'd let you know, this item is a short story, not a Haiku. "Invalid Item" Ooops! I don't know what number or numbers I messed up, and I can't find my notes, and now the number doesn't show anything. From daycare Excellent as always. I love reading your newsletters. You always provide so much information. I can tell you put a lot of work into them. Thanks for all you share!!! Wendie Thank you for all the feedback, the kind words, the interest. This issues question What is the difference between allusion and illusion? Please place your answer in the text box below. Until next time, keep reading and writing beautiful poetry. Viv |
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