'Black On Black' by A.S.J. Tessimond

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


Serrations of chimneys
Stone-black perforate
Velvet-black dark.
A tree coils in core of darkness.
My swinging
Hands
Incise the night.
A man slips into a doorway,
Black hole in blackness, and drowns there.
A second man passing traces
The diagram of his steps
On invisible pavement. Rain
Draws black parallel threads
Through the hollow of air.


Submitted by Steohen Fryer

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and the Darkness in A.S.J. Tessimond's Black On Black: A Critical Analysis

Are you familiar with A.S.J. Tessimond's poetry? If not, I urge you to read his works, especially his poem, "Black On Black." This piece encapsulates the essence of Tessimond's style, which is a perfect blend of simplicity and profundity. It is a poem that deserves a critical analysis and interpretation, and that is what I aim to do in this article.

"Black On Black" is a poem that speaks about the beauty and darkness that coexist in life. It is a meditation on the ominous and the sublime, the bleak and the beautiful. Tessimond's choice of words and imagery is masterful, creating an evocative and haunting atmosphere that lingers long after reading the poem.

Form and Structure

Before we delve into the themes and imagery of the poem, let us first examine its form and structure. "Black On Black" consists of sixteen lines, each with eight syllables, and divided into four quatrains. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality.

Despite the strictness of the form, Tessimond manages to imbue the poem with a sense of freedom and fluidity. He does this by using enjambment, which means that the lines flow into each other, creating a sense of continuity. The use of enjambment also allows Tessimond to play with the placement of words, which adds to the poem's musicality.

The Themes of Black On Black

Now, let us turn our attention to the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent themes is the contrast between light and darkness. Tessimond explores the idea that beauty can exist within darkness, and that the absence of light can create a sense of mystery and allure.

The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this theme:

Black on black -
That is how I feel,
Like a blind beetle,
Slowly clambering over
Slow black boulders.

The repetition of "black" creates an atmosphere of darkness. The comparison of the speaker to a "blind beetle" further emphasizes the idea of blindness and the absence of light. The use of the word "clambering" suggests a struggle, as if the speaker is trying to find his way in the darkness.

However, despite the darkness, there is a sense of beauty in the imagery that Tessimond uses. The "slow black boulders" suggest a rugged and rough terrain, but they also have a sense of solidity and permanence. They are a contrast to the speaker's blindness, and they offer a sense of grounding and stability.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of the unknown. The darkness that is present in the poem is not just a physical darkness, but also a metaphorical one. The speaker is grappling with a sense of uncertainty, as if he is navigating through uncharted territory.

This theme is present in the second quatrain of the poem:

Black on black -
A foot or two ahead
I glimpse a firefly
That flits and fades,
Leaving me in the dark.

The firefly represents a moment of illumination in the darkness. It is a fleeting moment of clarity, but it is quickly extinguished, leaving the speaker in the dark once again. This image suggests that the unknown is not something that can be easily conquered, but it must be accepted and navigated through.

The Imagery of Black On Black

Tessimond's use of imagery is one of the most striking aspects of the poem. He creates a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar, both beautiful and ominous. The imagery that he uses is often ambiguous, which allows the reader to interpret it in various ways.

One of the most potent images in the poem is the firefly. As mentioned earlier, the firefly represents a moment of illumination in the darkness. However, it can also be interpreted as a symbol of hope. The firefly is a small and fragile creature, but it emits a light that is strong enough to puncture through the darkness. This image suggests that even in the bleakest of situations, there is always a glimmer of hope.

Another powerful image in the poem is the "slow black boulders." These boulders represent a sense of permanence and solidity. They are a contrast to the speaker's blindness, and they offer a sense of grounding and stability. However, the use of the word "slow" suggests that even these boulders are subject to the passage of time. The image of the boulders suggests that even though there may be darkness and uncertainty, there are also things that are constant and unchanging.

The Language and Tone of Black On Black

The language that Tessimond uses in the poem is simple yet profound. He uses words that are evocative and musical, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful. The repetition of "black" creates a sense of darkness, while the use of "firefly" and "boulders" creates a sense of familiarity and solidity.

The tone of the poem is meditative and introspective. The speaker is grappling with a sense of uncertainty and darkness, but there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation. The use of "slowly clambering" suggests a sense of struggle, but it is also a reminder that progress is possible, even if it is slow and difficult.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Black On Black" is a poem that encapsulates the essence of A.S.J. Tessimond's style. It is a poem that speaks about the beauty and darkness that coexist in life. Tessimond's use of form, structure, imagery, language, and tone creates a world that is haunting, beautiful, and profound. The themes of light and darkness, the unknown, and the ambiguity of life are explored in a way that is both meditative and introspective. It is a poem that deserves to be read and reread, and its meaning and interpretation will continue to evolve with each reading.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Black On Black: A Poem of Paradox and Perception

A.S.J. Tessimond's poem "Black On Black" is a masterful exploration of the paradoxical nature of perception. Through the use of vivid imagery and a clever play on words, Tessimond challenges the reader to question their own understanding of reality and the limitations of language.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Black on black -". This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the repetition of the word "black" creates a sense of foreboding and darkness. However, the use of the phrase "on black" introduces a paradox, as it implies that there is something darker than black itself.

The second line of the poem continues this theme of paradox, as Tessimond writes, "Is a mouthful of blood". Here, the poet uses a metaphor to describe the color black as being like blood. This comparison is both startling and unsettling, as it suggests that there is something violent and dangerous about the color black.

The third line of the poem introduces another paradox, as Tessimond writes, "And our stomachs are empty". This line suggests that the color black is somehow connected to hunger or emptiness, which is a stark contrast to the previous line's association with blood. This contradiction creates a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the reader struggles to reconcile these two opposing images.

The fourth line of the poem continues this theme of contradiction, as Tessimond writes, "Black on black -". This repetition of the opening line serves to reinforce the sense of darkness and foreboding that permeates the poem. However, the use of the phrase "on black" once again introduces a paradox, as it implies that there is something darker than black itself.

The fifth line of the poem introduces a new image, as Tessimond writes, "A sentence that does not need". Here, the poet plays with the idea of language and its limitations. The phrase "a sentence that does not need" suggests that there are some things that cannot be expressed through words, and that language is sometimes inadequate to convey the complexity of human experience.

The sixth line of the poem continues this theme of language and its limitations, as Tessimond writes, "Punctuation, / Is a knot". Here, the poet uses a metaphor to describe punctuation as being like a knot. This comparison is both surprising and insightful, as it suggests that punctuation can be both binding and restrictive, much like a knot.

The seventh line of the poem introduces another paradox, as Tessimond writes, "Black on black -". This repetition of the opening line once again reinforces the sense of darkness and foreboding that permeates the poem. However, the use of the phrase "on black" once again introduces a paradox, as it implies that there is something darker than black itself.

The eighth and final line of the poem brings the paradoxical nature of the poem to a close, as Tessimond writes, "And yet how / Simple it seems". Here, the poet acknowledges the complexity and contradiction of the poem, while also suggesting that there is a certain simplicity to it. This final line serves to tie together the various themes and images of the poem, while also leaving the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Overall, "Black On Black" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges the reader to question their own understanding of reality and the limitations of language. Through the use of vivid imagery and a clever play on words, A.S.J. Tessimond creates a world that is both unsettling and mesmerizing, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and awe.

Editor Recommended Sites

GCP Anthos Resources - Anthos Course Deep Dive & Anthos Video tutorial masterclass: Tutorials and Videos about Google Cloud Platform Anthos. GCP Anthos training & Learn Gcloud Anthos
Macro stock analysis: Macroeconomic tracking of PMIs, Fed hikes, CPI / Core CPI, initial claims, loan officers survey
Rust Guide: Guide to the rust programming language
Visual Novels: AI generated visual novels with LLMs for the text and latent generative models for the images
Flutter Training: Flutter consulting in DFW

Recommended Similar Analysis

Your Book by Matthew Rohrer analysis
He Had His Dream by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysis
The Thousand-And-Second Tale Of Scheherazade by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
To The Reader At Parting by Walt Whitman analysis
A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Paradise Regained: The Second Book by John Milton analysis
The Sands of Dee by Charles Kingsley analysis
Fame is a bee by Emily Dickinson analysis
Why Fades a Dream? by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysis
The Winners by Rudyard Kipling analysis