Analysis
The purpose of this poem was for Bob to express his feeling about a girl that he loves. In the beginning of the poem Bob's description of the setting with the ocean and the sun made the reader picture a beach. This gave off a sensual mood from the poet and made the reader feel calm. Using onomatopoeia in this poem helped transition Bob's mood and the setting into something completely different. At first the poet's mood was sensual and romantic while the reader's tone was calm, but after using the literary device the setting changed into somewhere chaotic and busy. This left the reader's tone now confused on what Bob is trying to say. This poem relates to the slam movement because even though it gets a little confusing for the reader it was a unique style of writing that jumped from one idea to the next still having the same concept of being in love with the girl he was describing. |
Literary Devices
Onomatopoeia- An example of onomatopoeia would be the "bees are buzzing". Using this literary device gave the reader a visual on the setting during the morning time in Florida. This example is also used in the poem as a transition between the moods Bob was feeling. Bob's mood was very sensual in the beginning of the poem, but after using this example he started describe a busy and chaotic setting. Using onomatopoeia was a good way for the poet to change from one mood and setting to another. |
Poem
Constancy by Bob Holman Tonight in Florida the sun So hot the ocean boils as It sets I am thinking of your legs Your arms like a tree, your legs Holding me rooted Your hair the branches Setting fire to the sky Your legs holding me Between sea and fire Tonight in Florida the sun So hot the ocean boils as It sets I am thinking of your legs Your arms like a tree, your legs Holding me rooted Your hair the branches Setting fire to the sky Your legs holding me Between sea and fire It is morning. The bees are buzzing. You are sleeping. Now is a good time To walk the streets of the Lower East Side -- There will be space ships in Tompkins Sq Park, The dogs will all be set loose, the bees will come Home. Children will be running, poems will land From the heavens. Now is the perfect time to say good- Bye. Hello. To prepare for the Future the neither Of us knows, but ever includes us both. The pen is repaired. The jacket is lost, I am sorry. Your books are still here. I kiss you or miss you As irony demands. The world is on fire. I burn for you. Conundra in the Tundra My compass is old cold |
Slam
Slam is a poetry competition where poets perform their work either alone or in groups in front of an audience which is also their judges. A construction worker named Marc Smith started this poetry slam in Chicago in 1984. This unique style of poetry became so popular that it rapidly traveled all across the world to countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. Some poets involved were Bob Holman and Marc Smith. Just as quickly as it spread across the globe it also intrigued teenagers who uses it for self expression. Every year the Young Chicago Authors formerly known as the YCA hosts Louder Than A Bomb, which is the world's largest teen-based youth slam.