'Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles' by Bill Knott
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I don't dare speak too loudly,
some timbres could be fatal--
that string is not too strong
I think: and at times I have
to breathe. Or maybe I fear
my paraphrastic exhalations
will spoil the oiled perfection
of its sleekness, will mist
over that brightness whose
needle sharp point compasses
my every stray. I am as
edgy in my way as it--
as little-rippled, as subtle.
Prey to vapors, to sudden
icecap thaws, seismic
dicethrows, the world wires me,
I hex myself up to a pitch
of infinite finicky sensitiveness,
alert to every window opening
down in my castle's bowels,
every mousehole emergence.
A simple housefly--a moth
murders my rest when it
mistakes for light that glittering
blade in which every passing
glint is glassed--barometer
of my highest apprehension.
*
I know my fear is only a ploy,
a sticking point in the old
hairsplitting debate of the winds . . .
I the first split personality
divide into a Dam/an Ocles,
a mother and her myopic
son. Or, since everything
is reversed in its mirroring
shaft, a Selcomad, mad and sulky.
Language does this to me.
It inverts my position: King
I am, but await my crown,
unmanned until it come down;
my kingdom lies in twain
to each, I am in half to all.
*
If only I could reach up, up,
and take it in my teeth,
suckle that penile projection,
cloister its unremitting hardness
in the sheath of my throat--
swordswallower who exalts
his posture with this adjunct
second spine, aligning gut with
palate, my groin with my height.
*
Male means to be in the crime
of things here, this frail planet
killed wide, maimed down.
Male means murder, rape and war.
Its indomitable will will not allow
approach. All broach will fail.
It must fall on you or not at all.
*
Insane, isn't it? History hangs
impregnable to the mind, eager
to halve your brain with rift,
intrusion and strife, the warrior's
dissonance. No whole is hallowed,
no peace. Don't let the humor of
this scene (when the phallus
falls the fears recede) attend
you away from its cruelty.
*
I stand here exposed to whose
justice, my crime my Y
chromosome. That Y aims
his prick point down at me.
A dowsing wand that seeks
my artesian quench, my depths
of death. His insistence
sustains me in steel, his encased
incursion covers my melt,
my metal. Each day he rights me:
his richterscaled tremors are
my weather, my wherefore:
his gloss his gleam condemns
my fortunes, his ore loads my gold
with schist. His soliloquy
interrupts mine at every word.
Linebreaks enforced by sword,
his poem sunders my rhythm.
All mine at last is made him.
His blade remembers my name . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever heard of the story of Damocles? It’s an ancient Greek legend about a man named Damocles who was granted the opportunity to sit on the throne of a king for a day. But as he sat there, he realized that the throne was not as glamorous as it seemed, for it came with the constant threat of danger hanging above his head, symbolized by a sword suspended by a single hair. Bill Knott’s poem “Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles” is a modern take on this classic tale, exploring themes of power, envy, and the true nature of happiness.
Form and Structure
Before diving into the themes of the poem, it’s important to take note of its form and structure. “Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles” is written in free verse, with no strict meter or rhyme scheme. Instead, Knott employs a variety of devices such as enjambment, repetition, and fragmentation to create a disjointed, stream-of-consciousness style. The poem is divided into seven sections, each with a different title that serves as a jumping-off point for Damocles’ reflections.
At first glance, this structure may seem chaotic and confusing. But upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the form mirrors the content. Damocles’ thoughts are scattered and fragmented, his emotions shifting rapidly from envy to fear to despair. Knott captures this internal chaos through his unconventional structure, making the poem feel organic and true to life.
Themes and Interpretation
Now let’s delve into the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent themes is the corrupting nature of power. Damocles begins the poem full of excitement and awe at the prospect of sitting on the throne:
“Today my dream has come true. I sit where he sits, in his throne.”
But as the day wears on, he becomes increasingly aware of the burden of power:
“This throne is heavy, it weighs me down.”
Damocles realizes that with power comes responsibility, and that responsibility can be overwhelming. He is constantly aware of the danger hanging over his head, unable to relax or enjoy the pleasures that come with being king. Knott captures this sense of entrapment through his vivid imagery:
“I look up—
the sword is still there,
dangling above me like a poisonous fruit.”
The sword symbolizes the constant threat of danger that comes with power. It is a reminder that one misstep could lead to disaster, and that even the most powerful are never truly safe.
Another theme of the poem is envy. Damocles is envious of the king’s power and wealth, but as he spends more time on the throne, he begins to see the darker side of the king’s life. He observes the constant scrutiny and manipulation that comes with being a leader, and realizes that the king’s wealth and power are not worth the price he pays for them:
“I thought I envied his life—
until I sat on his throne.”
This realization is a powerful moment in the poem, as Damocles comes to understand that the grass is not always greener on the other side. He gains a newfound appreciation for his own life, free from the pressures and dangers of power.
Finally, the poem touches on the true nature of happiness. Damocles spends the day seeking pleasure and indulgence, but as the sword looms overhead, he realizes that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions or power. He comes to understand that happiness is a state of mind, something that cannot be bought or earned:
“Happiness is not a thing, I realize,
but an absence—
the nothing of worry, the nothing of fear.”
This realization is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it suggests that happiness is within our reach, if only we can let go of our worries and fears.
Conclusion
“Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles” is a rich and complex poem that explores themes of power, envy, and the true nature of happiness. Through his unconventional structure and vivid imagery, Bill Knott captures the internal chaos of Damocles’ experience, creating a poem that feels raw and honest. Whether you’re familiar with the story of Damocles or not, this poem is sure to leave an impact, challenging us to rethink our own ideas about power, envy, and happiness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles: A Poem That Explores the Dangers of Power
Bill Knott's Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles is a classic poem that explores the dangers of power and the consequences of envy. The poem is a retelling of the story of Damocles, a courtier in the court of Dionysius II of Syracuse, who was granted the opportunity to sit on the throne and experience the life of a king. However, the experience was not as glamorous as Damocles had imagined, and he soon realized the dangers of power and the price of envy.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the story. The first part introduces Damocles and his desire to be king. The second part describes his experience on the throne, and the third part reflects on the lessons he learned from his experience.
In the first part of the poem, Knott introduces Damocles as a courtier who is envious of the king's power and wealth. Damocles longs to be king and imagines the life of luxury and power that comes with the position. He envies the king's ability to command armies, make laws, and live a life of luxury. However, he is also aware of the dangers that come with power, and he wonders if he would be able to handle the responsibility of being king.
The second part of the poem describes Damocles' experience on the throne. He is granted the opportunity to sit on the throne and experience the life of a king. However, he soon realizes that the life of a king is not as glamorous as he had imagined. He is constantly surrounded by advisors who are trying to manipulate him, and he is forced to make difficult decisions that affect the lives of his subjects. He also realizes that he is constantly under threat from enemies who are trying to overthrow him and take his power.
The third part of the poem reflects on the lessons that Damocles learned from his experience. He realizes that the life of a king is not as glamorous as he had imagined, and that power comes with a heavy price. He also realizes that envy is a dangerous emotion that can lead to destruction and ruin. He reflects on the fact that he was lucky to have been able to experience the life of a king without having to pay the ultimate price.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the dangers of power and the consequences of envy. It shows how envy can lead to destruction and ruin, and how power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals. It also shows how important it is to be aware of the dangers of power and to be careful when seeking it.
Overall, Excerpts From The Diary Of Damocles is a classic poem that explores important themes and lessons. It is a powerful reminder of the dangers of power and the importance of being aware of the consequences of our actions. It is a poem that is still relevant today, and it is a must-read for anyone who is interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the dangers of power.
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