'Loud Music' by Stephen Dobyns

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Cemetery Nights1988My stepdaughter and I circle round and round.
You see, I like the music loud, the speakers
throbbing, jam-packing the room with sound whether
Bach or rock and roll, the volume cranked up so
each bass notes is like a hand smacking the gut.
But my stepdaughter disagrees. She is four
and likes the music decorous, pitched below
her own voice-that tenuous projection of self.
With music blasting, she feels she disappears,
is lost within the blare, which in fact I like.
But at four what she wants is self-location
and uses her voice as a porpoise usesits sonar: to find herself in all this space.
If she had a sort of box with a peephole
and looked inside, what she'd like to see would be
herself standing there in her red pants, jacket,
yellow plastic lunch box: a proper subject
for serious study. But me, if I raised
the same box to my eye, I would wish to find
the ocean on one of those days when wind
and thick cloud make the water gray and restless
as if some creature brooded underneath,
a rocky coast with a road along the shore
where someone like me was walking and has gone.
Loud music does this, it wipes out the ego,
leaving turbulent water and winding road,
a landscape stripped of people and language-
how clear the air becomes, how sharp the colors.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Loud Music: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were listening to a song? That's exactly how I felt when I read Stephen Dobyns' "Poetry, Loud Music." This poem is a masterpiece that combines the beauty of poetry with the power of music. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem.

Summary of "Poetry, Loud Music"

Before diving into the analysis of the poem, let's first recap what it's all about. "Poetry, Loud Music" is a poem that describes the experience of listening to loud music and how it affects one's perception of the world. The speaker of the poem explains that listening to loud music is like reading poetry, as both evoke strong emotions and can transport you to another world. The poem then goes on to describe the various emotions that loud music can evoke, from sadness to anger to joy.

Themes in "Poetry, Loud Music"

One of the main themes in this poem is the power of art to evoke emotions. The speaker compares listening to loud music to reading poetry, both of which have the power to transport us to another world and make us feel a wide range of emotions. This theme is emphasized throughout the poem as the speaker describes the various emotions that loud music can evoke, from "the swell of sadness" to "the anger of the young."

Another theme in the poem is the connection between music and the natural world. The speaker describes the music as "a storm that passes over the landscape," emphasizing the idea that music is a force of nature that can shape our perception of the world around us. This theme is further emphasized by the use of natural imagery throughout the poem, such as "the wind that shakes the trees" and "the water that rushes by."

Symbols in "Poetry, Loud Music"

One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the image of the storm. The speaker describes the music as a storm that passes over the landscape, and this symbolizes the power and intensity of the music. Just like a storm can shake the earth and reshape the landscape, loud music can shake us to our core and reshape our emotions and perceptions.

Another symbol in the poem is the image of the water. The speaker describes the music as "the water that rushes by," emphasizing the fluidity and movement of the music. This symbolizes the idea that music is constantly in motion, flowing and changing like a river. It also emphasizes the idea that music is a natural force that can shape the world around us.

Literary Devices in "Poetry, Loud Music"

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "like reading poetry." This repetition emphasizes the connection between music and poetry and reinforces the theme of the power of art to evoke emotions.

Another literary device used in the poem is the use of imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery throughout the poem, describing the music as a storm, the wind that shakes the trees, and the water that rushes by. This imagery helps to create a sensory experience for the reader, making it easier to picture the power and intensity of the music.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Loud Music" is a powerful poem that combines the beauty of poetry with the power of music. Through the use of vivid imagery, powerful symbols, and striking literary devices, Stephen Dobyns creates an experience that transports the reader to another world, evoking a wide range of emotions along the way. The themes of the power of art to evoke emotions and the connection between music and the natural world are emphasized throughout the poem, making it a truly unforgettable work of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry and music are two art forms that have been intertwined for centuries. They both have the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect people on a deeper level. Stephen Dobyns' poem "Loud Music" is a perfect example of how poetry and music can work together to create a powerful piece of art.

The poem starts with the speaker describing a scene of a young couple driving in a car, listening to loud music. The music is so loud that it drowns out their conversation, and they communicate through gestures and facial expressions. The speaker then goes on to describe how the music takes over their bodies, making them move and dance in the car. The music becomes a physical force that they cannot resist.

The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem. The use of the word "loud" in the title and the first line immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The description of the couple's communication through gestures and facial expressions creates a sense of intimacy and connection between them. The use of the word "we" in the second line also emphasizes this connection and makes the reader feel like they are a part of the experience.

The second stanza is where the poem really takes off. The speaker describes how the music takes over their bodies and makes them move and dance. The use of the word "possessed" in the third line creates a sense of otherworldliness and emphasizes the power of the music. The description of the couple's movements is also very vivid and creates a sense of energy and excitement. The use of the word "wildly" in the fourth line emphasizes this energy and makes the reader feel like they are a part of the dance.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker describes how the couple's movements become more violent and how they start to hurt each other. The use of the word "bruising" in the seventh line creates a sense of pain and violence. The description of the couple's faces also creates a sense of fear and desperation. The use of the word "terrified" in the ninth line emphasizes this fear and makes the reader feel like they are a part of the experience.

The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker describes how the couple crashes the car and how the music stops. The use of the word "shattered" in the eleventh line creates a sense of finality and emphasizes the severity of the crash. The description of the couple's injuries also creates a sense of pain and suffering. The use of the word "broken" in the thirteenth line emphasizes this pain and makes the reader feel like they are a part of the experience.

The final stanza is where the poem ends on a somber note. The speaker describes how the couple is taken away in an ambulance and how the music is still playing. The use of the word "ghostly" in the fifteenth line creates a sense of haunting and emphasizes the surreal nature of the experience. The description of the music still playing creates a sense of continuity and emphasizes the power of the music.

Overall, "Loud Music" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between music and human emotion. The use of vivid imagery and descriptive language creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the experience. The poem also explores darker themes such as violence and fear, which adds depth and complexity to the piece. Stephen Dobyns' "Loud Music" is a classic example of how poetry and music can work together to create a powerful and unforgettable piece of art.

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