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Critical Analysis #2
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freehode
New Member
since 2003-09-29
Posts 9


0 posted 2003-11-21 12:44 PM


No Name River


Rivers have no name in space
We mark them with the unmasked pulsars
Mother, can you hold my hand now?
On a journey to the unknown star

Supply me with matchsticks
A bright burn to distract from the sting
Of the upcoming words when I enter
The meteor showers

Our way to curb the fading
Our way to curve the failing
Is the river naming
How do I reach a common coda to the tribulation?
How do I know when I come to the station of orbits?
How do I know when to return to Earth?

The general lays him arms down slow
That cosmic chase was quite a stir
His soldier won’t disarm just yet
They still face the that ultimate task

The sides fight to give the river a title
On the ever lively new frontier
Unknown lands cause unknown fear
I don’t see anything but a loss

The lieutenant lines up his cannons and horsemen
How do we know who even achieves victory?
I can’t tell what’s more wet, the water splash
Or the blood shed on my shoulder

As the last soldier raises his eyes to survey
The guilt usurps his soul, the tears flow free
“We are triumphant!” shouts the general
We can rule this terrain in any way fit
So, my good soldier, what the name be?

With a heavy sigh, the lieutenant averts the general’s eyes
“We won nothing, so we name it nothing”
I have only tracked my boots through the mud
To fight on an idea I don’t even want to participate
No name can do, so I leave that to you
“Oh, it needs no name. The soldiers named it for you and I.”


© Copyright 2003 freehode - All Rights Reserved
kadafi09
Member
since 2003-06-17
Posts 143
California, United States
1 posted 2003-11-21 08:18 PM


i loved your poem. correct me if i'm wrong, are you making reference to a battle in your poem? if so, i loved the way you used it. if not, forgive me for having misinterpreted it, i greatly enjoyed your work either way. keep writing, please. i look forward to your future works.
Not A Poet
Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885
Oklahoma, USA
2 posted 2003-11-22 12:21 PM


First off, this looks like it should be two poems instead of one. I just can't make the transition from the cosmos to the battle.

Pete

Illigitimi Non Carborundum

freehode
New Member
since 2003-09-29
Posts 9

3 posted 2003-11-22 12:30 PM


I guess I should have clarified that the first part is a metaphor for the second part, while the second part is more literal.

I understand the transition is atrocious.

I shall work on a more appropriate segue.

cynicsRus
Senior Member
since 2003-06-06
Posts 591
So Cal So Cool!
4 posted 2003-11-22 08:31 AM


A segue should be the least of your worries. It won’t make up for the conflicting metaphors. This seems a superfluous, rambling attempt at melding a comic book super hero with Gettysburg.
But, If you need to explain it, it just isn’t working.

The idea that they’d be worrying about what to name the river isn’t as exciting in my mind as it must seem in yours.

It fails to captivate my interest.

Sid @ www.cynicsRus.com
www.primerhymeetc.com

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