Erin Kang
“rumor”
they say that
a galaxy of endless
stars and planets
live in her eyes
when you stare at them
you get lost
and can’t find your way back out
they say that
her extravagant hair crashes like the waves
that come up on the shore
and it has an aroma
of the salty sea
when you smell it
you get lost
and can’t find your way back out
they say that
her skin is made
of silky rose petals
and is as smooth as honey
when you feel it
you get lost
and can’t find your way back out
i wouldn’t know
if any of this were true
because she is just a rumor
I find it interesting how each stanza focuses on one physical feature: the woman’s eyes, her hair, her skin. Zooming in on the physical aspects of a woman’s body is a classic sonnet technique, except that your poem goes further by hinting that such beauty may be dangerous. Which is why the end is such a twist: despite detailing how this woman is potentially dangerous (“you get lost/and can’t find your way out), the speaker still sounds wistful that they can’t meet her. So powerful!
ReplyDeleteHi Erin;
ReplyDeleteI love your use of imagery in this Poem. For example, your description of the rumored person`s skin as being :" of silky rose petals, and as smooth as Honey", or the hair as like that of "waves coming up on the shore". I especially liked the manner in which you ended the piece so that you leave the reader with a sense of ambiguity . We are still left wondering whether this person actually exists. Great work!
This poem has such great imagery and metaphors! You have a powerful voice in this poem; it is commanding and clear. I like the idea that the beauty of this women is like quicksand, something that will trap and destroy you, but the end of your poem suggests that this level of beuaty doesn't exist in reality. I kind of get the idea you are challenging these poetic ideals of beauty and maybe pointing out that they are unattainable or just don't actually exist outside the minds of artists.
ReplyDeleteA lovely and intriguing piece; I love the repetition of the end lines in each main verse, and the progression through various similes evoking different senses (sight, scent, touch), and physical realms (stars of the heavens, waves of the sea, and flowers of the land). The poem's mysterious atmosphere is enhanced by the constant reference to its subject as 'she', her name never being revealed.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the lack of capital letters and punctuation (aside from apostrophes) makes for a nice aesthetic.