'Give Me Back My Rags #12' by Vasko Popa
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Enough chattering violets enough sweet trash
I won't hear anything know anything
Enough enough of all
I'll say the last enough
Fill my mouth with earth
Grit my teeth
To break off you skull guzzler
To break off once for all
I'll just be what I am
Without root without branch without crown
I'll lean on myself
On my own bumps and bruises
I'll be the hawthorn stake through you
That's all I can be in you
In you spoilsport in you muddlehead
Get lost
Trans. by Anne Pennington
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Give Me Back My Rags #12: An Interpretation
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you! We're diving deep into the world of poetry, and today's focus is on Vasko Popa's "Give Me Back My Rags #12." This poem is a true gem, and we're going to explore its depths and meanings in this literary criticism and interpretation.
First, let's get some context. Vasko Popa was a Serbian poet who was born in 1922 and lived through World War II and the communist regime in Yugoslavia. He was known for his surreal and imaginative poetry, which often incorporated elements of folklore and mythology. "Give Me Back My Rags #12" is one of his most famous poems, and it was first published in 1960 in a collection titled "The Little Box."
The poem consists of seven stanzas, each with three lines. Here's the poem in full:
Give me back my rags
my rags of pure dreaming
of paste, of eternal value
and of satin finish
Give me back my rags
those rags made out of ancient
metaphysical rags
torn apart, cut into shreds,
my rags stained with the
odor of blue salvia
intoxicated with the
scents of myrrh and incense
Give me back my rags
of my youth,
of my sun,
of my morning,
Give me back my rags,
my identity
Give me back my rags,
my rags of being and becoming.
The poem is deceptively simple in its structure and language. At first glance, it seems like a straightforward request to have some rags returned. But as we dive deeper, we realize that the rags are a metaphor for something much more profound and complex.
Let's start with the title: "Give Me Back My Rags #12." Why is it called #12? Is this the 12th time the speaker has asked for their rags back? Or is there some deeper significance to the number? We don't know for sure, but it's worth considering.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is asking for their rags back, but these are not just any rags. They are "rags of pure dreaming," "of paste, of eternal value, and of satin finish." These descriptors hint at the importance and significance of the rags. They are not just pieces of cloth; they are imbued with meaning and symbolism.
In the second stanza, we learn that these rags are "made out of ancient metaphysical rags." This phrase is especially intriguing because it suggests that the rags are connected to something beyond the physical world. They are metaphysical, which means they exist beyond what we can see and touch. This ties in with Popa's interest in folklore and mythology, as these subjects often deal with otherworldly or supernatural beings and objects.
The third stanza further emphasizes the spiritual nature of the rags. They are "stained with the odor of blue salvia," which has been used in many cultures for its healing and cleansing properties. The rags are also "intoxicated with the scents of myrrh and incense," which are both associated with religious rituals and ceremonies. By imbuing the rags with these scents and properties, the speaker is elevating their significance and connecting them to the divine.
In the fourth stanza, we get a glimpse of the speaker's nostalgia. They want their rags back "of my youth, of my sun, of my morning." These are all things associated with the past and with memories. The rags represent a connection to the speaker's past, to their identity and sense of self.
The fifth stanza continues this theme of identity. The speaker wants their "rags of being and becoming" back. This phrase is a bit more abstract, but it suggests that the rags are somehow connected to the speaker's journey of self-discovery and growth. The rags are not just a symbol of the past, but also of the future and of the potential for change and evolution.
The final two stanzas are a repetition of the first. The speaker once again asks for their rags back, but this time with more urgency and desperation. They are not just asking for some old cloth; they are pleading for a return to something essential and vital to their being.
So what does all of this mean? What is Popa trying to convey through this poem? There are many possible interpretations, but here are a few:
- The rags represent the speaker's connection to their cultural and spiritual heritage. By asking for them back, the speaker is reclaiming a part of their identity that has been lost or forgotten.
- The rags are a metaphor for the lost innocence and purity of youth. By asking for them back, the speaker is longing for a return to a simpler time before the complexities and struggles of adulthood.
- The rags represent the speaker's artistic and creative inspiration. By asking for them back, the speaker is seeking a return to a state of pure imagination and creativity.
- The rags symbolize the speaker's connection to the divine or spiritual realm. By asking for them back, the speaker is seeking a return to a state of grace and enlightenment.
Of course, these are just a few possible interpretations, and there are likely many more depending on the reader's personal experiences and perspectives.
In conclusion, "Give Me Back My Rags #12" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of identity, spirituality, and nostalgia. Popa's use of metaphor and symbolism imbues the simple request for some old rags with profound meaning and depth. Whether you see the rags as a connection to the past, the future, or the divine, one thing is clear: they are more than just rags. They are a symbol of something essential and vital to the speaker's being, and by asking for them back, the speaker is seeking a return to a state of wholeness and completeness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Give Me Back My Rags #12: A Poem of Identity and Reclamation
Vasko Popa’s poem “Give Me Back My Rags #12” is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that explores themes of identity, memory, and the struggle for self-discovery. Through its vivid imagery and poignant language, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of searching for meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel chaotic and confusing.
At its core, “Give Me Back My Rags #12” is a poem about reclaiming one’s identity. The speaker of the poem is searching for something that has been lost or taken from them, something that is essential to their sense of self. The title of the poem itself suggests a desire to reclaim something that has been discarded or forgotten, something that is seen as worthless or insignificant.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid and often surreal imagery to convey their sense of loss and longing. They speak of “a bird that flew away with my name” and “a dog that ran off with my life.” These images suggest a sense of powerlessness and vulnerability, as if the speaker’s identity has been stolen or taken from them without their consent.
However, the poem is not simply a lament for what has been lost. Rather, it is a call to action, a demand for the return of what is rightfully theirs. The speaker declares, “Give me back my rags / My rags of pure light / Give me back my heart / Of a dove.” This is a powerful statement of self-assertion, a refusal to accept the loss of one’s identity as inevitable or permanent.
The poem also speaks to the importance of memory in shaping our sense of self. The speaker speaks of “a mirror that broke into pieces / A mirror that once gave me my life.” This image suggests that our memories are like fragments of a broken mirror, reflecting back to us different aspects of ourselves and our experiences. Without these memories, we are incomplete, unable to fully understand who we are and where we come from.
The poem also explores the idea of transformation and rebirth. The speaker speaks of “a tree that grew from my hands / A bird that flew out of my forehead.” These images suggest a sense of metamorphosis, as if the speaker is becoming something new and different. This transformation is not necessarily a positive one, however. The speaker also speaks of “a snake that devoured my lungs,” suggesting a sense of suffocation or loss of breath.
Ultimately, “Give Me Back My Rags #12” is a poem about the struggle for self-discovery and the importance of reclaiming one’s identity. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of searching for meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel chaotic and confusing. It is a call to action, a demand for the return of what is rightfully ours, and a reminder that our memories and experiences are essential to shaping who we are and who we will become.
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