The poetry of Rita Dove, Billy Collins, Sonia Sanchez and Yusef Komunyakaa are similar in many aspects, yet each poet’s work is very distinct. All of the poets utilize powerful poetic techniques to accentuate the underlying meaning. For instance, Dove describes the struggle of living during the Great Depression, and how many people decided to commit suicide due to severe living conditions through her passionate use of symbolism: “Under the Viaduct, 1932” …He liked it down here where the luck of the mighty had tumbled, black suit and collarbone. He could smell the worms stirring in their holes. He could watch the white sheet settle While all across the North Hill
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(Dove, page 1894)
Dove’s compelling imagery successfully portrays the narrator’s brooding tone, and how “he” feels unfit to survive the union violence during the Depression. Dove uses colors as symbols, such as / spilled over a gray bank of clothes…. / and / He could watch the white sheet settle / (1894) using gray as a symbol of death, and white as a symbol of purity and wholesomeness, suggesting that the spirits of those who chose to commit suicide during the Depression are cleansed, and can finally rest easily. Dove often writes for advocacy and in a political point of view, but tends to relate her work to her past experiences. She has no particular genre or context: she writes to get a point across, making her a true contemporary writer. In the poem “Introduction to Poetry,” Billy Collins uses a relaxed tone, and bold, dramatic imagery to describe how he believes a reader should view a poem. He wants the reader to dive deep into the poem; to find his or her own meaning. “Introduction to …show more content…
play blk / songs (Sanchez, page 1871)
With her poetry disregarding traditional standards, she often uses themes of freedom, which are portrayed in her form, as well as her imagery. Sanchez was involved with the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the Black Arts Movement during the 1960’s. Her radical writing aims towards African Americans, persuading them to know and accept themselves, to be self-reliant and strong. Yusef Komunyakaa uses a traditional style in his poetry. He uses this style to portray many of his Vietnam experiences, which creates a suspense and fear the reader would expect soldiers feel on a daily basis: “A Greenness Taller Than Gods” The lieutenant puts on sunglasses & points to an X circled on his map. When will we learn to move like trees move? The point man raises his hand Wait! We’ve just crossed paths with VC, branches left
(Dove, page 1894)
Dove’s compelling imagery successfully portrays the narrator’s brooding tone, and how “he” feels unfit to survive the union violence during the Depression. Dove uses colors as symbols, such as / spilled over a gray bank of clothes…. / and / He could watch the white sheet settle / (1894) using gray as a symbol of death, and white as a symbol of purity and wholesomeness, suggesting that the spirits of those who chose to commit suicide during the Depression are cleansed, and can finally rest easily. Dove often writes for advocacy and in a political point of view, but tends to relate her work to her past experiences. She has no particular genre or context: she writes to get a point across, making her a true contemporary writer. In the poem “Introduction to Poetry,” Billy Collins uses a relaxed tone, and bold, dramatic imagery to describe how he believes a reader should view a poem. He wants the reader to dive deep into the poem; to find his or her own meaning. “Introduction to …show more content…
play blk / songs (Sanchez, page 1871)
With her poetry disregarding traditional standards, she often uses themes of freedom, which are portrayed in her form, as well as her imagery. Sanchez was involved with the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the Black Arts Movement during the 1960’s. Her radical writing aims towards African Americans, persuading them to know and accept themselves, to be self-reliant and strong. Yusef Komunyakaa uses a traditional style in his poetry. He uses this style to portray many of his Vietnam experiences, which creates a suspense and fear the reader would expect soldiers feel on a daily basis: “A Greenness Taller Than Gods” The lieutenant puts on sunglasses & points to an X circled on his map. When will we learn to move like trees move? The point man raises his hand Wait! We’ve just crossed paths with VC, branches left