'Centrifuge' by Dean Young

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Strike Anywhere1995It might have been midnight when last we talked
and now I've got this poem that keeps flying
apart which accounts under these xenophobic stars
for all force: gravity, magnetism wind, the ling-ering of a kiss, a judo throw although
there's yet to be a single formula for it.
Save us from single formulas.One room
smells like ash, another smells like fruitcake.One cardinal sits on a branch, another under.
You've got to be a bird to understand any of this,
feathery and hollow-boned.You've got to be
a claims adjuster staring at a storm.You'vegot to be entered by a shower of gold coins.
On the back of a Brazilian book of poems,
the translator looks haggard as if she's chased
a mule cart into another century, the twentieth,and suddenly she's feeble in Pittsburgh in her
bunny furs.Imagine, suddenly Pittsburgh,
the handful of dust thrown up for the sun'shaughty inspection, laughing its molecularlaugh, hungry again, dazzling again it its
stained satin pajamas like the memory of lost
love.I think we were walking though some woods
towards more to drink, up ahead the futuregesticulating wildly like a beggar who'dscare us out of money, the future threatening
to isolate us like glum geniuses prowling
record stores, not getting a lot done,mistaken for clerks with gum on our shoes. I'm
trying not to panic.I'm trying to find the center,
drive a nail through it like a mercy killing.I'm
letting myself be thrown around while Come at mesays the day to the night.Come at me says
the cloud to the moon dragging its terrible noose.
Come at me says L so she can show me what she's learned
in martial arts and now some part of me can't orwon't get up, the ground husky with thaw, fall's
idiot nomenclature garbled in the bramble.I'm
letting my back get soaked. I'm turning into wine.I'm a broken kore, lips barely parted sayingwhat?I know suffering does not make us beautiful,
it makes us disappear like wearing black shirts
at midnight, like lying on the spinning earth
crying, Momma, Momma.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Centrifuge by Dean Young: A Masterpiece of Poetic Form and Imagery

As a lover of poetry, I can say with confidence that Dean Young's "Centrifuge" is a true masterpiece. The poem is a perfect example of how a skilled poet can use language to create a vivid and engrossing image, while also exploring complex themes and emotions. In this literary criticism, I will delve into the many layers of meaning and interpretation within "Centrifuge," analyzing the poem's form, imagery, symbolism, and deeper themes.

Form and Structure

"Centrifuge" is a free verse poem with a loose structure that reflects the chaos of the world it describes. The lines are mostly short, with a few longer, more complex sentences scattered throughout. The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying length, creating a sense of movement and progression as the speaker's thoughts and emotions evolve.

The poem's title, "Centrifuge," is a clever play on words, as it can refer both to the scientific instrument used to separate substances based on density, and to the metaphorical idea of a force that pulls everything apart. This duality sets the tone for the poem, which explores the tension between unity and fragmentation, order and chaos.

Imagery and Symbolism

One of the most striking aspects of "Centrifuge" is its vivid imagery, which creates a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. The poem is full of strange and unexpected metaphors, such as "the sky a sieve" and "the stars like glass splinters." These images suggest a world that is both familiar and alien, where the laws of physics and reality are constantly being subverted.

The poem also makes use of powerful symbols, such as the ocean and the moon, to convey deeper meaning. The ocean represents a vast and unknowable force that is both beautiful and terrifying, while the moon symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death. These symbols are used to explore themes of mortality, identity, and the human experience in a way that is both universal and deeply personal.

Themes and Interpretation

At its core, "Centrifuge" is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we are all pulled apart by the forces of the world around us. The poem explores the idea of fragmentation and disintegration, both physical and emotional, and the struggle to maintain a sense of unity and coherence in the face of these pressures.

One of the recurring themes in the poem is the tension between individual identity and the larger forces of society and history. The speaker describes how "we are all a part of something/that's falling apart," suggesting a sense of collective decay and disintegration. At the same time, the poem also celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of individual experience, as seen in lines such as "each person a secret/only they can unlock."

Another important theme in "Centrifuge" is the idea of transformation and change. The poem suggests that even in the midst of chaos and fragmentation, there is always the possibility for growth and renewal. The image of the moon, with its endless cycle of birth and death, symbolizes the inherent cyclical nature of life, and the idea that even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility for rebirth and renewal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Centrifuge" is a truly remarkable work of poetry that showcases Dean Young's mastery of form, imagery, and language. The poem's surreal and otherworldly atmosphere draws the reader in, while its powerful themes of fragmentation, transformation, and identity leave a lasting impression. Whether read as a meditation on the human condition or simply as a beautiful example of poetic form and imagery, "Centrifuge" is a work of literature that deserves to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Centrifuge: A Masterpiece of Poetic Innovation

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Dean Young's Poetry Centrifuge. This collection of poems is a masterpiece of poetic innovation, blending humor, surrealism, and deep emotion in a way that is both accessible and profound.

At its core, the Poetry Centrifuge is a celebration of language. Young's poems are full of wordplay, puns, and unexpected turns of phrase that keep the reader on their toes. But this isn't just cleverness for its own sake. Young uses language to explore the complexities of human experience, from love and loss to the absurdities of everyday life.

One of the most striking things about the Poetry Centrifuge is its use of surreal imagery. Young's poems are full of strange and unexpected images, from "a bird with a suitcase" to "a man with a tree growing out of his head." These images are often funny or absurd, but they also have a deeper resonance. They remind us that the world is full of mystery and wonder, and that there is always more to discover.

But the Poetry Centrifuge is not just a collection of random images and clever wordplay. Young's poems are deeply emotional, exploring themes of love, loss, and mortality. In "The End of the World," for example, he writes:

"The end of the world is a door we'll all walk through, some of us holding hands, some of us alone."

This simple image captures the profound truth that we all must face our own mortality, and that we are all connected in our shared experience of life and death.

Another theme that runs through the Poetry Centrifuge is the idea of transformation. Young's poems are full of metamorphoses, from "a man turning into a bird" to "a woman turning into a tree." These transformations are often fantastical, but they also reflect the ways in which we change and grow throughout our lives. They remind us that we are never static, but always in a state of becoming.

One of the most impressive things about the Poetry Centrifuge is the way in which it blends humor and seriousness. Young's poems are often funny, with puns and wordplay that will make you laugh out loud. But they are also deeply moving, exploring the complexities of human experience with honesty and compassion.

In "The Art of Poetry," for example, Young writes:

"The art of poetry is not in finding the right words but in finding the right silence from which the words can emerge."

This simple statement captures the essence of poetry as a form of communication that goes beyond words. It reminds us that poetry is not just about cleverness or wordplay, but about the deeper truths that can only be expressed through language.

Overall, the Poetry Centrifuge is a masterpiece of poetic innovation. It is a celebration of language, a meditation on the complexities of human experience, and a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire us. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend picking up a copy and experiencing the magic for yourself.

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