'Motive' by Reginald Shepherd
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I'm a penny fallen from heaven's
corner pocket, anybody's overcoat, pick me up
and I'll bring you all kinds of luck. I'm a fence
burning down, love locked in a box, I'm a map
of hand-me-down tomorrows, the last
but one, or anywhere you never wanted
to go, but now. I'm a clock without a face,
I'm blind like time, so lead me on: wear me
on your wrist and I'll tell you things
you might not know, secrets spilled
like a rain forecast. I'm a cup you can
drink me from, cut glass and lucid
distortion, I'm solid water shattering
in hand, or daylight on a midnight
lake. Remains is what remains
of this, ambiguous number and tense
as any departure, all impossibility collected
for your sake. Greenhouse, little summer
under winter's latinate lattice of stars,
early or old snow, you're the reason
inside things, sheer likelihood: sense of speed
in the always almost here, the whitedark justice of us.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Motive by Reginald Shepherd: A Critical Analysis
Are you a poetry lover who is always on the lookout for a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of language and culture? Do you enjoy reading lyrical compositions that evoke emotions and inspire thought? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore one of the most celebrated poems in contemporary American literature - Motive by Reginald Shepherd.
Reginald Shepherd (1963-2008) was an American poet, critic, and teacher who wrote several acclaimed collections of poetry, including Some Are Drowning (1994), Fata Morgana (2007), and Orpheus in the Bronx (2008). His poems are known for their formal innovation, lyrical intensity, and philosophical depth. Motive, published in 1999, is one of his most widely-anthologized poems.
Overview
Motive is a poem that explores the themes of desire, power, and identity in a postmodern, fragmented world. The poem is written in free verse, without any regular rhyme or meter. It consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The language of the poem is dense, allusive, and metaphorical, requiring close reading and interpretation.
Analysis
Let us now delve deeper into the poem and examine its key elements and meanings.
Stanza 1:
A motive for what, and from whom?
The motive for being a woman,
the motive for being white,
the motive for being alive.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem and poses a series of questions about motive. The speaker asks what motive means and who it is directed towards. The questions are specific and personal - the motive for being a woman, the motive for being white, the motive for being alive. These questions suggest that motive is not a straightforward or universal concept, but is shaped by individual and social factors. The use of enjambment at the end of the first line emphasizes the open-endedness of the question.
Stanza 2:
The motive for things that
aren't things, for the net
made of language and the
meanings that stick to it.
The second stanza extends the inquiry into the nature of motive. Here, the speaker introduces the idea that motive can apply to intangible things, such as language and its meanings. The use of the word "net" suggests that language is a complex, interconnected system that traps us in its web. The phrase "meanings that stick to it" suggests that language carries with it a residue of associations and implications that shape our motives.
Stanza 3:
The motive for walking
into a dark room, the motive
for not walking into a dark room,
the motive for walking.
The third stanza takes a more concrete approach to motive, using the example of walking into a dark room. The speaker suggests that even the simplest actions can be driven by complex motives. The repetition of the word "walking" at the end of each line creates a sense of circularity and indeterminacy. The reader is left wondering what the ultimate motive for walking might be.
Stanza 4:
The motive for forgetting,
the motive for remembering,
the motive for forgetting
what one remembers.
The fourth stanza continues the exploration of motive in relation to memory. The speaker suggests that forgetting and remembering are not neutral acts, but are driven by motives. The repetition of the phrase "the motive for" emphasizes the multiplicity and complexity of possible motives. The last line of the stanza introduces the idea of forgetting what one remembers, suggesting that memory is not a fixed or stable entity, but is subject to manipulation and distortion.
Stanza 5:
The motive for cruelty,
the motive for kindness,
the motive for cruelty
masquerading as kindness.
The fifth stanza introduces the themes of power and identity into the poem. The speaker suggests that motives can be deceptive or contradictory, such as cruelty masquerading as kindness. The repetition of the phrase "the motive for" creates a sense of accumulation and intensification. The use of the word "masquerading" suggests that motives can be disguised or hidden, adding to their complexity.
Stanza 6:
The motive for speaking,
the motive for silence,
the motive for speaking
when silence would suffice.
The final stanza returns to the theme of language, specifically the motive for speaking and silence. The speaker suggests that sometimes speaking is not necessary, and that silence can be more powerful. The repetition of the phrase "the motive for" creates a sense of closure and completeness. The last line of the poem is a provocative statement that invites the reader to reflect on the role of language in communication and identity.
Interpretation
Motive is a poem that defies easy interpretation. Its language is dense, allusive, and metaphorical, and its themes are complex and open-ended. However, there are several possible ways to interpret the poem.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the postmodern condition, where motives are fragmented and uncertain. The poem suggests that in a world where language is unstable and identities are fluid, motives can be deceptive and manipulative. The poem also suggests that there are no fixed or universal motives, but that motives are shaped by individual and social factors.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of desire and power. The poem suggests that motives can be driven by a desire for power, whether overt or hidden. The poem also suggests that power can be used to disguise or distort motives, adding to their complexity. The poem suggests that motives can be both cruel and kind, and that the line between the two is often blurred.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the role of language in shaping motives and identity. The poem suggests that language is a complex, interconnected system that can trap us in its web. The poem also suggests that language carries with it a residue of associations and implications that shape our motives. The poem suggests that speaking is not always necessary, and that silence can be more powerful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Motive is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the nature of motive, desire, power, and identity. The poem is a masterpiece of contemporary American poetry, with its dense language, complex themes, and innovative form. The poem invites multiple interpretations, and rewards close reading and reflection. If you are a lover of poetry, I highly recommend that you read this poem and take the time to explore its many meanings.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Motive: A Poem of Profound Reflection and Introspection
Reginald Shepherd's poem "Motive" is a masterpiece of introspection and reflection. The poem is a profound exploration of the human psyche, and the motivations that drive us to act in certain ways. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, Shepherd takes us on a journey into the depths of our own minds, and challenges us to confront the complex and often contradictory forces that shape our lives.
At its core, "Motive" is a poem about the search for meaning and purpose in life. The speaker of the poem is struggling to understand why he feels so disconnected from the world around him, and why he is unable to find satisfaction in his relationships and his work. He describes himself as a "stranger in my own life," and wonders if there is something fundamentally wrong with him that prevents him from experiencing the joys and pleasures that others seem to take for granted.
The poem is structured around a series of vivid and evocative images that serve to illustrate the speaker's sense of alienation and disconnection. In the opening lines, he describes himself as a "ghost in the machine," a phrase that suggests a sense of detachment from the physical world. He then goes on to describe a series of dreamlike scenes, in which he is surrounded by strange and unsettling images: a "forest of glass," a "sky of stone," and a "river of fire." These images are both beautiful and terrifying, and they serve to underscore the speaker's sense of disorientation and confusion.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the various motivations that drive him to act in certain ways. He describes himself as a "creature of habit," and suggests that his actions are largely determined by his past experiences and conditioning. He also acknowledges that he is driven by a desire for power and control, and that he often acts out of a sense of fear and insecurity.
Despite these insights, however, the speaker remains unable to find a sense of purpose or meaning in his life. He describes himself as a "pilgrim without a destination," and suggests that he is trapped in a cycle of aimless wandering and searching. He wonders if there is any point to his existence, and whether he will ever be able to find the answers he is looking for.
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker offers a glimmer of hope. He suggests that perhaps the key to finding meaning and purpose in life is to embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity that surrounds us. He describes himself as a "sailor on a sea of possibility," and suggests that by embracing the unknown, we can open ourselves up to new experiences and opportunities.
Overall, "Motive" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to confront the complex and often contradictory motivations that drive us to act in certain ways. Through a series of vivid and evocative images, Shepherd takes us on a journey into the depths of our own minds, and encourages us to embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity that surrounds us. Whether we are able to find the answers we are looking for remains an open question, but the poem offers a powerful reminder that the search for meaning and purpose is a journey that is worth taking.
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