Poemranker [Replying] Tue May 07 12:07:34 PDT 2024

Replying to a comment on:

It is with neither the symmetry of a wind facing rock, nor the art of a half-formed thought that you stand miles from us. You don't hold in your hand a butterfly cabbage white and let go, knowing your grasp is not waning. You just know that the still- water skies cut by its wings number more if not for you.

INTRANSIT

30-Dec-03/10:57 AM

Thank you for your patience, -=Dark_Angel=-. I had family over and saw them off this morning. Also, thank you for this challenge and the opportunity to stretch myself.
Here goes.

Still taking the title into consideration, I think the poem is a variation on the "sands of time " theme with the writer suggesting the reader consider the theme from an infirm persons point(assumed). The rock (the decrepit person)is aware and at a point where they are comfortable with knowing that death is near (the blowing wind). This however goes against "the uneven lines of every faked smile", which suggests the opposite.

The "cabbage white butterfly" is not actually a butterfly. It is a metaphor for what a short span of life (healthy) people have and that when we "have" our life (the butterfly) we also (get some of it on ourselves) through the events of our lives the "cabbage" which leaves marks behind (the white powder) which is left behind from white butterflies and by cabbage.The poem could have stated another type of butterfly, one that left a dark or black powder, however, I believe the poet chose white for a (pure) image. White traditionally represents purity. Or a life that has not yet been (scarred) by time. I have not actually seen white cabbage. This does not mean that white cabbage does not exist. The residue is what the poet was actually wanting, I believe. The poem also suggests that decrepit people have difficulty with speech at some point. Which makes it difficult for a healthy person to communicate with, and understand, someone of failing health. There is still much more that i havn't touched on. Thank you for forcing me to slow down and take a fine toothed comb to Mr. Richards' poem. It has revealed many things to me. I have unfortunately lost my secondary view in this process. If it returns, I will share.

I am not so concerned with getting the marks as I am in learning from this experience. Feel free to challenge me again. If there is more to discuss here, By all means, E-mail me.

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