Instructions of assignment
A description of the poem’s structure: number of lines and stanzas/how it appears on the page
2 to 3 sentences on what is happening in the poem, identify the poem’s speaker/perspective and the setting of the action. Identify at least 4 literary devices in the poem and quote the relevant lines, words, or phrases. Reflect on what the poem conveys to you: this could be a feeling, an idea, a narrative, or a combination of all three. Write that down in 1 or 2 sentences. 300 word minimum.
Here is what I’ve written so far:
The poem unfolds like an intimate dialogue between two lovers, characterized by a profound sense of vulnerability and closeness. The language employed is strikingly direct and personal, with phrases like “You have,” “yours is,” “like you love,” “how you run,” and the emphatic “YOUR BODY” creating a sense of immediacy and presence. It feels like an intense and intimate confession in which the speaker reveals their admiration for their partner
In this tender depiction, the speaker lovingly talks of their hands, which I believe represents their personhood, their mind, their love. the value that they possess surpasses gold or any other earthly treasure. Such comparisons show that being in their presence is something they cherish. The use of imagery like “purple pieces” and “atom particles” evokes a sense of something magical, hinting at a unique connection between the two that transcends ordinary understanding. The overall tone of the poem is one of profound reverence and gratitude. It reads as a confession of deep appreciation, with the speaker expressing how essential their partner is to their well-being, akin to how juice might be to someone parched in a desert. This metaphor illustrates the vital and life-sustaining role the partner plays in the speaker’s life, suggesting that their love is not merely desired but desperately needed. As I read this poem again and again, it made me grateful to love people. The speaker seems to be so awe-inspired by their partner, viewing them as something that transcends anything else they could find. The experience of love and connecting to other people is more fulfilling than material gains.
source text
It’s about You: On the Beach by June Jorden
You have
two hands absolutely lean and clean
to let go the gold
the silver flat or plain rock
sand but hold the purple pieces
atom particles
that glorify a color
yours is orange
oranges are like you love
a promising
a calm skin a juice
inside
a juice
a running from the desert
Lord
see how you run
YOUR BODY IS A LONG BLACK WING
YOUR BODY IS A LONG BLACK WING