Poetic Definitions with Patterns

One of the things we do in class is write through imitation. I've mentioned this in other blog posts, so I won't bore you with the details. Needless to say, today's blog post is another one of those writing projects.  In this case, we had to analyse "af • ter • glow" by A. Van Jordan.  The design of the poem is that of a dictionary definition.  I would include it, but I don't want to infringe on any copyrights. If you find a copy, you can read it. If you really look at what he's doing, it is quiet elegant. Lots of patterns using opposites.  So, our assignment was to write our own poem, using the same techniques and patterns that he did (i.e. write a poem definition of something an use lots of opposites with some sound repetitions). So, that's what I did.

I used to have the poem on here, but apparently, it was picked in a literary journal for my local Community college. As such, I am deleting the poem.

'Till next time.

Dyad, a poem

I wrote this poem many years ago when I was in high school.  It has remained, largely untouched, since then.  I will admit that I have edited it for this post.  I was, after all, a lot younger then and my understanding of language has evolved, as all things do, over time.  The heavy use of dashes in this poem is a stylistic technique that I use consistently in my poetry.  I have also used ellipses, but I don't know if there is a difference, in my head, for the two.  I used it to break up the rhythm of the poem visually.  It is up to the reader, as with all writing, on their interpretation of the marks.

A "dyad" is, according to dictionary.com, a grouping of two.  In the case of this poem, I used the term to suggest the personal duality I felt at that time.  It is a poem of opposites and one that I really identified with at the time.  The concept of a "dyad" is a recurring theme in my early writing.  For those of you wondering...yes, my blog was named after this poem.

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I am a creature born unto the night
Yet raised in the day.
A child of Darkness and of Light--
Without reason or way.

Twin in soul--One in body--
Logical and conceptual,
Sensible and insane--
Angry and alone.

I am the son Evil
And the daughter of Good.
Dancing amongst the graves,
Praying in the tombs--
Not sure what has, fearful of what will--

I have hated the light,
I have loved the dark.
Through peaceful thoughts I roam,
Alive in twisted madness.
To touch the Evil at the core--
To feel the Good beyond it.

And so I remain--
Eternally divided, tet always one.
Lost in Life--Found in Death.
A child of Darkness--
And of Light--
Without reason or way.

Opposites and Oral Tradition

When I was younger, my father used to tell me some silly rhymes.  I'm not sure where he got them, but even as an adult, I smile just thinking about them.  They are nonsensical, but still interesting.

The first one is this: "I see," said the blind man to his deaf son, while his lame daughter danced.
Another version of this one is: "I see," said the blind man, to his deaf dog, as he picked up his hammer and saw.
The previous two examples are something called a "wellerism".  Wikipedia has an interesting article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellerism

The second one goes like this:

One bright day, in the middle of the night

Two dead boys got up to fight

Back to back, they faced each other

Drew their swords and shot each other

A deaf policeman heard the noise

And came and shot the two dead boys

If you don't believe this story is true,

Ask the blind man, he saw it too.

Doing a Google search of the opening line, gave me the following link: http://www.folklore.bc.ca/Onefineday.htm.  It seems like an interesting read and provides some analysis of the rhyme.  It also has the complete rhyme, whereas my father only told me part of it. I guess that is one of the problems with oral tradition.

Aren't opposites fun?