'(Poem) (Chicago) (The Were-Age)' by Bill Knott
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'My age, my beast!' - Osip Mandelstam
On the lips a taste of tolling we are blind
The light drifts like dust over faces
We wear masks on our genitals
You've heard of lighting cigarettes with banknotes we used to light ours with Jews
History is made of bricks you can't go through it
And bricks are made of bones and blood and
Bones and blood are made of little tiny circles that nothing can go through
Except a piano with rabies
Blood gushes into, not from, our wounds
Vietnamese Cuban African bloods
Constellations of sperm upon our bodies
Drunk as dogs before our sons
The bearded foetus lines up at the evolution-trough
Swarmy bloods in the rabid piano
The air over Chicago is death's monogram
This is the Were-Age rushing past
Speed: 10,000 men per minute
This is the species bred of death
The manshriek of flesh
The lifeless sparks of flesh
Covering the deep drums of vision
O new era race-wars jugular-lightning
Dark glance bursting from the over-ripe future
Know we are not the smilelines of dreams
Nor the pores of the Invisible
Piano with rabies we are victorious over
The drum and the wind-chime
We bite back a voice that might have emerged
To tame these dead bodies aid wet ashes
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exciting Interpretation of "Poem (Chicago) (The Were-Age)" by Bill Knott
As I delved into Bill Knott's "Poem (Chicago) (The Were-Age)," I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and curiosity. What does it mean to be in the "Were-Age"? How does the city of Chicago play a role in this poem? These are just a few of the questions that I explored as I analyzed this classic piece of literature.
Background Information
Before I begin my interpretation, let me provide a little bit of background information about the author and the poem itself. Bill Knott was an American poet who was born in 1940 and passed away in 2014. He was known for his unconventional style and his ability to challenge traditional notions of poetry. "Poem (Chicago) (The Were-Age)" was first published in 1972 and is a prime example of Knott's unique approach to writing.
The Were-Age
The first thing that struck me about this poem was the idea of the "Were-Age." It's a term that I had never heard before, and I was immediately intrigued by its meaning. As I read through the poem, I began to see the Were-Age as a time of transition and transformation. It's a period in which people are no longer content with their current state and are searching for something more.
This idea of transformation is further emphasized through the use of animalistic imagery throughout the poem. Knott writes, "The Were-Age / people become animals, / move through the streets in packs." The image of people becoming animals is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea of shedding one's old skin and embracing something new.
The City of Chicago
As the title suggests, the city of Chicago plays a significant role in this poem. To me, Chicago represents a place of possibility and change. It's a city that's constantly reinventing itself and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Knott's description of Chicago is both beautiful and haunting. He writes, "The lake curls and tumbles / on the city's edge; / buildings blaze up the night." This image of the city is both dynamic and dangerous. It's a place where anything can happen, and it's this sense of possibility that draws people in.
The Power of Language
One of the things that I found most intriguing about Knott's writing is the way that he plays with language. He uses unique phrasing and unconventional syntax to create a sense of disorientation and unease. For example, he writes, "You think / each step will take you somewhere, / each word lead to its definition."
This type of language use can be disorienting at first, but it also serves to draw the reader in and make them question what they think they know. It's a powerful reminder of the limitations of language and the way that words can shape our perception of the world around us.
Conclusion
In the end, "Poem (Chicago) (The Were-Age)" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature. It challenges traditional notions of poetry and invites readers to question their assumptions about the world. Through his use of animalistic imagery, descriptions of the city of Chicago, and unconventional language, Bill Knott creates a world that is both exciting and unsettling. It's a poem that will stay with me for a long time, and I look forward to exploring more of Knott's work in the future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bill Knott’s poem, “(Poem) (Chicago) (The Were-Age)” is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the city of Chicago and the transformation it has undergone over the years. The poem is a reflection of the author’s personal experiences and observations of the city, and it is a powerful commentary on the impact of urbanization on society.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the city. The first part, “(Poem),” is a reflection on the power of language and the role it plays in shaping our perceptions of the world. The poem begins with the line, “Words are the only things that last forever,” which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The author goes on to describe the power of words to create and destroy, to inspire and to deceive. He notes that words can be used to create beauty and truth, but they can also be used to manipulate and control.
The second part of the poem, “(Chicago),” is a tribute to the city of Chicago and its rich history. The author describes the city as a place of contradictions, where beauty and ugliness, wealth and poverty, coexist side by side. He notes that the city has been shaped by its history, from the Great Fire of 1871 to the rise of the Chicago School of Architecture. The author also pays tribute to the city’s cultural diversity, noting that it is a melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures.
The final part of the poem, “(The Were-Age),” is a reflection on the impact of urbanization on society. The author notes that as cities grow and expand, they become more and more like machines, with people becoming cogs in the system. He notes that the city can be a place of great opportunity, but it can also be a place of great despair. The author describes the city as a place where people are transformed, becoming “were-people” who are no longer fully human.
Overall, “(Poem) (Chicago) (The Were-Age)” is a powerful commentary on the impact of urbanization on society. The poem is a reflection of the author’s personal experiences and observations of the city of Chicago, and it is a tribute to the city’s rich history and cultural diversity. The poem is also a warning about the dangers of urbanization, and the ways in which it can transform people into something less than human.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. The author uses language in a powerful and evocative way, creating vivid images that stay with the reader long after the poem is finished. The poem is full of metaphors and similes, which help to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, the author describes the city as a “great machine,” which is a powerful metaphor for the way in which urbanization can turn people into cogs in a system.
Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. The author uses imagery to create a sense of place and to evoke the mood of the city. For example, he describes the city as a place of “smokestacks and skyscrapers,” which creates a vivid image of the city’s industrial past. He also describes the city as a place of “dark alleys and bright lights,” which creates a sense of the city’s energy and vibrancy.
Overall, “(Poem) (Chicago) (The Were-Age)” is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the city of Chicago and the impact of urbanization on society. The poem is a tribute to the city’s rich history and cultural diversity, but it is also a warning about the dangers of urbanization and the ways in which it can transform people into something less than human. The poem is a testament to the power of language and imagery, and it is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and provoke readers for generations to come.
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