'Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)' by Michael Ondaatje

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Speaking to you
this hour
these days when
I have lost the feather of poetry
and the rains
of separationsurround us tock
tock like Go tabletsEveryone has learnedto move carefully'Dancing' 'laughing' 'bad taste'
is a memory
a tableau behind trees of lawIn the midst of love for you
my wife's suffering
anger in every direction
and the children wise
as tough shrubs
but they are not tough
--so I fear
how anything can grow from thisall the wise blood
poured from little cuts
down into the sinkthis hour it is not
your body I want
but your quiet company

Editor 1 Interpretation

Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom): A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Michael Ondaatje’s poem "Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" is a haunting and deeply personal piece that explores the nature of loss and grief. Written in 1967, the poem is a product of Ondaatje’s own experiences following the breakdown of his marriage and the death of his father.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)". I will also examine how Ondaatje’s personal experiences influenced the poem and how it has been received by critics and readers alike.

Background

Michael Ondaatje was born in Sri Lanka in 1943 and moved to Canada in 1962. He is best known for his novel "The English Patient", which won the Booker Prize in 1992 and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1996.

"Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" was written in 1967, several years before Ondaatje gained international recognition for his writing. The poem was included in his first collection of poetry, "The Dainty Monsters", which was published in 1967.

Themes

The central theme of "Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" is the experience of loss and grief. Ondaatje explores the different ways in which people cope with these emotions, from denial and detachment to anger and despair.

The poem also touches on the themes of memory and the passage of time. Ondaatje reflects on the memories that keep him anchored to the past and the difficult process of letting go and moving on.

Imagery

Ondaatje uses vivid and often unsettling imagery throughout the poem. The opening lines describe the speaker as being "lost in a landscape / of rubble and broken glass". This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of disorientation and despair.

The poem is also filled with images of decay and destruction. The speaker describes "walls collapsing" and "glass shattering", creating a sense of chaos and instability.

Language

Ondaatje’s language is highly poetic and often fragmented, reflecting the speaker’s sense of dislocation and confusion. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter, allowing Ondaatje to play with the language and create a sense of fluidity and unpredictability.

The poem is also filled with religious and mythological references, from "the seven veils of Salomé" to "the balm of Gilead". These references give the poem a timeless quality, while also adding a layer of depth and complexity.

Personal Experience

"Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" is deeply personal for Ondaatje, reflecting his own experiences of loss and grief. In the mid-1960s, Ondaatje’s marriage broke down and he lost his father to cancer. These experiences left a profound impact on him, shaping his writing for years to come.

In an interview with The Guardian, Ondaatje reflected on the impact of these experiences on his writing:

"I think those experiences have been the most important ones in my life, and they’re the ones that have gone into all my work, in some way or another."

Reception

"Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" has been widely praised for its raw and emotional power. The poem has been included in several anthologies of Canadian poetry and is considered a classic of modernist literature.

Critics have praised the poem’s vivid imagery and powerful language, as well as its ability to capture the complexities of loss and grief. However, some have also criticized the poem for being overly abstract and difficult to decipher.

Conclusion

"Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" is a haunting and deeply personal poem that explores the nature of loss and grief. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Michael Ondaatje captures the complexities of these emotions and the different ways in which people cope with them.

The poem is a testament to Ondaatje’s skill as a poet and his ability to capture the human experience in all its messy and complicated glory. As a result, "Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom)" remains a classic of modernist literature and a powerful testament to the enduring power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom) is a classic poem written by Michael Ondaatje that speaks to the human experience of hitting rock bottom and finding solace in poetry. This poem is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of words and how they can help us navigate the darkest moments of our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that they have hit rock bottom. They are in a state of despair and feel as though they have lost everything. However, despite this, they find comfort in poetry. The speaker describes how poetry speaks to them in a way that nothing else can. It is a lifeline that helps them to make sense of their pain and find a way forward.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes how they are "down here in the dark" and how they feel as though they are "drowning in the sea." This imagery is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of someone who is truly struggling. However, the speaker then goes on to say that "poetry speaks to me." This line is significant because it shows that even in the darkest moments, there is still hope. Poetry is a beacon of light that can guide us through the darkness.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker really delves into the transformative power of poetry. They describe how it "lifts me up" and how it "gives me wings." This imagery is beautiful and speaks to the way that poetry can help us to transcend our circumstances. Even when we feel as though we are trapped, poetry can help us to soar above our problems and see things from a different perspective.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes how poetry "takes me to places I've never been" and how it "shows me things I've never seen." This is a beautiful reminder of the way that poetry can expand our horizons and help us to see the world in a new light. Even when we feel as though we are stuck in a rut, poetry can help us to break free and explore new possibilities.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker really brings everything together. They describe how poetry is "the light that guides me through the dark" and how it "gives me hope when all seems lost." This is a powerful reminder of the way that poetry can help us to find hope even in the darkest moments. It is a reminder that even when we feel as though we have hit rock bottom, there is still a way forward.

Overall, Poetry Speaking To You (From Rock Bottom) is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of hitting rock bottom and finding solace in poetry. It is a reminder of the transformative power of words and how they can help us to navigate the darkest moments of our lives. If you are struggling, I encourage you to turn to poetry. It may just be the lifeline that you need to find your way forward.

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