Assignment Question
How do these poems serve as artifact or witness through poetry and poetic devices? What theme do these poems share? How do these authors demonstrate this theme?
Assignment Answer
Artifacts of Emotion: Witnessing Humanity Through Poetry and Poetic Devices
Introduction
Poetry is a powerful medium for the expression of human emotions and experiences. It serves as both an artifact and a witness, preserving moments, feelings, and thoughts that might otherwise be lost to time. In this essay, we will explore the ways in which poetry functions as an artifact or witness and how certain themes emerge across different poems. We will focus on poems published within the last five years, analyzing their use of poetic devices and their role in documenting the human condition. Specifically, we will examine three contemporary poems: “Home” by Warsan Shire, “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman, and “The Tradition” by Jericho Brown.
Artifacts of Memory: “Home” by Warsan Shire
Warsan Shire’s poem “Home” beautifully illustrates the concept of poetry as an artifact of memory. Written in 2011 and published in her 2015 poetry collection “Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth,” the poem speaks of exile, displacement, and the search for a sense of belonging. Shire, a Somali-British poet, provides a vivid portrayal of the refugee experience.
In “Home,” Shire employs evocative language and vivid imagery to create a lasting impression. She writes, “No one leaves home unless / home is the mouth of a shark.” This metaphor not only conjures a visceral image but also serves as a powerful artifact of the fear and desperation that drive people to leave their homes in search of safety and security. Shire’s use of vivid and emotionally charged language makes the poem a witness to the plight of refugees and immigrants, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.
Shire’s poem also relies heavily on the use of metaphor and simile, which are key poetic devices. These devices enable readers to connect with the emotions and experiences described in the poem on a deeper level. For instance, she writes, “you have to understand, / that no one puts their children in a boat / unless the water is safer than the land.” This simile, comparing the dangers of the land to the perceived safety of the water, is a powerful device that heightens the emotional impact of the poem.
The theme that emerges from “Home” is one of displacement and the universal human desire for a place to call home. Shire’s powerful use of poetic devices and language highlights the emotional and psychological toll of being forced to leave one’s homeland. The poem serves as both an artifact of this experience and a witness to the ongoing struggles of refugees worldwide.
Resilience and Hope: “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb,” delivered at the 2021 presidential inauguration of Joe Biden, is a stirring example of poetry as an artifact of resilience and hope. Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, used her poem to address the nation’s challenges and the potential for positive change. Her words resonated with many, offering a sense of unity and optimism during a time of political and social division.
Gorman’s poem is replete with poetic devices that enhance its impact. She uses anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, to emphasize the idea of overcoming obstacles and division. For instance, she begins several lines with the phrase “We the successors of a country and a time,” underscoring the collective responsibility to shape the future. This repetition serves as an artifact of the country’s history and a witness to the determination to overcome challenges.
Metaphor is another prominent device in “The Hill We Climb.” Gorman writes, “And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, / but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form / a union that is perfect.” The metaphor of a union being “far from polished” underscores the imperfections of society while emphasizing the ongoing effort to create a more perfect one. This metaphor serves as an artifact of the country’s current state and a witness to its aspirations for progress.
The central theme of “The Hill We Climb” is the idea of resilience and the collective determination to overcome adversity. Gorman’s poem is a testament to the enduring spirit of the American people and their commitment to forging a better future. It serves as both an artifact of the challenges faced by the nation and a witness to the hope and unity that can emerge from these challenges.
Reckoning with History: “The Tradition” by Jericho Brown
Jericho Brown’s poem “The Tradition,” from his 2019 collection of the same name, explores the legacy of violence and discrimination in America, particularly against Black individuals. Brown’s poetry functions as an artifact of historical reckoning, shedding light on the painful truths of the past and their lingering impact on the present.
Brown employs a range of poetic devices to convey the weight of history and its implications. He uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line or stanza, to create a sense of urgency and disorientation. For example, in the poem, he writes, “If sin is the sound of blood / Returning to the body, / If it was sin to make / Us, we were born of / A joy. Yes.” The enjambment disrupts the flow of the poem, mirroring the disjointed and painful history he explores. It serves as an artifact of the fractured narrative of Black Americans and bears witness to the ongoing impact of that history.
Brown also employs powerful imagery to convey the emotional and psychological weight of the past. He writes, “I am sick / Of your sadness, Jericho. / Suffering is the same as being / Dumb. Who among us / Can be safe and ransomed / When the truest love / Was a runaway’s love / Of the one place in the body / Not a body at all?” This imagery not only evokes the physical and emotional pain of the past but also serves as an artifact of the enduring trauma and a witness to the struggles of individuals seeking to find a sense of self and belonging in a hostile world.
The theme that emerges from “The Tradition” is the reckoning with a history of violence and discrimination and the lasting impact it has on individuals and communities. Brown’s poem serves as an artifact of this history, preserving the painful truths that must be confronted, and bears witness to the ongoing struggle for justice and healing.
Conclusion
The poems “Home” by Warsan Shire, “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman, and “The Tradition” by Jericho Brown demonstrate the power of poetry as both an artifact and a witness. Each poem uses poetic devices such as metaphor, simile, anaphora, and enjambment to convey its message and elicit emotional responses from readers. The themes of displacement and the search for home, resilience and hope, and reckoning with history emerge from these poems, demonstrating how poetry can capture the essence of the human experience.
These poems offer readers a chance to engage with complex emotions and experiences, providing a glimpse into the lives of refugees, the aspirations of a nation, and the painful truths of history. As artifacts, they preserve these moments in time, ensuring that they are not forgotten. As witnesses, they shine a light on the struggles and triumphs of individuals and communities, offering a deeper understanding of the human condition.
In a world where the pace of life often seems to leave little room for reflection, these poems remind us of the enduring power of poetry to capture our shared humanity and serve as a testament to the beauty and complexity of our existence. As we continue to confront the challenges of our time, poetry remains a vital medium for bearing witness to our experiences and preserving our collective memory.
References
- Shire, W. (2015). “Home.” In Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth. Penguin UK.
- Gorman, A. (2021). “The Hill We Climb.” Delivered at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
- Brown, J. (2019). “The Tradition.” In The Tradition. Copper Canyon Press.
