Original Poem
where was that what were the untended grounds weak sun massy clouds the barest pale blue brained with some sense of the feral event the girls turned and looked out of the picture their realism followed you around the last chance salon back into the frame this they said was where we wanted to give ourselves over to men’s insistences to follow their instructions exactly and it took us loci to figure out that despite their reputation for sex on the brain you just can’t trust them to leave off trying to forget it and transfer the jurisdictioning everywhere else
Translation (English)
Where was that place?
What were the neglected areas?
The sun was weak, the clouds were heavy, and the sky was a very light blue.
With some understanding of the wild event,
the girls turned and looked out from the picture.
Their realistic presence seemed to follow you around.
The last chance salon returned to the scene.
This is where we wanted to give ourselves up
to men's demands,
to follow their instructions exactly,
and it took us some time to realize
that despite their reputation for being obsessed with sex,
you can't trust them to stop trying to forget it
and shift the control elsewhere.
About the Poet
Unknown (Contemporary)
The poet of this work is not identified. The poem appears to be a contemporary piece, reflecting modern themes and stylistic elements.
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Free verse
- When Written
- Contemporary
- Background
- The poem explores themes of gender dynamics and societal expectations, reflecting on the complexities of relationships and the influence of societal norms on personal choices.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_poetry, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45364/the-lotos-eaters
Detailed Explanation
This poem delves into the themes of gender roles and societal expectations. It begins by setting a scene of neglect and desolation, with weak sunlight and heavy clouds symbolizing a lack of clarity or hope. The 'girls' in the poem seem to be trapped in a picture, representing how women are often confined by societal expectations. Their 'realism' suggests a grounded understanding of their situation, yet they are still drawn back into the 'frame' of traditional roles. The poem critiques how women are expected to conform to men's desires and follow their instructions. It highlights the struggle to break free from these constraints and the realization that men's preoccupation with sex often overshadows genuine relationships. The poem uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey its message, creating a powerful commentary on the dynamics between genders.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| untended | neglected | not cared for or maintained | un-ten-ded |
| massy | heavy | large and solid in appearance | mas-see |
| feral | wild | in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity | feh-ral |
| realism | practicality | being practical or realistic | ree-uh-liz-um |
| salon | parlor | a reception room in a large house | sa-lon |
| insistences | demands | the act of demanding something forcefully | in-sis-ten-ses |
| loci | places | specific positions or locations | lo-sigh |
| jurisdictioning | controlling | exercising authority or control | jur-is-dik-shun-ing |
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