'Sudden Movements' by Bob Hicok
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My father's head has become a mystery to him.
We finally have something in common.
When he moves his head his eyes
get big as roses filled
with the commotion of spring.
Not long ago he was a man
who had tomato soup for lunch
and dusted with the earnestness
of a gun fight. Now he's a man
who sits at the table trying to breathe
in tiny bites. When they told him
his spinal column is closing, I thought
of all the branches he's cut
with loppers and piled and burned
in the fall, the pinch of the blades
on the green and vital pulp. Surgeons
can fuse vertebrae, a welders art,
and scrape the ring through which
the soul-wires flow as a dentist
would clean your teeth.
And still it could happen, one turn
of his head toward a hummingbird,
wings keeping that brittle life
afloat, working hard against the fall,
and he might freeze in that pose
of astonishment, a man estranged
from the neck down, who can only share
with his body the silence
he's pawned on his children as love.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sudden Movements: A Critique and Interpretation
Bob Hicok's poem, Sudden Movements, takes the reader on a journey through the complex emotions that arise when a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The poem is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to sustain us even in the darkest of times. In this critique and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of Sudden Movements and examine how Hicok uses language to convey his message.
The Power of Language
One of the most striking aspects of Sudden Movements is the power of Hicok's language. The poet masterfully weaves together words and phrases that evoke a range of emotions in the reader, from fear and pain to hope and love. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Hicok uses the image of a "black hole" to convey the sense of despair and hopelessness that comes with a diagnosis of cancer:
"The black hole in my mother's chest
is not the source of the sudden movements
she makes when I come into the room"
Here, Hicok is using the metaphor of a black hole to describe the cancer that is growing inside his mother's chest. This metaphor is powerful because it conveys the sense of something dark and ominous that is consuming his mother from within. The sudden movements that she makes when he enters the room suggest that she is in pain or discomfort, but they also convey a sense of urgency and desperation. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the themes of fear and uncertainty that will be explored in greater depth as the poem unfolds.
The Power of Love
Despite the sense of despair that permeates much of the poem, there is also a strong undercurrent of love and hope running throughout. Hicok draws on memories of his childhood and his relationship with his mother to create a sense of intimacy and connection that is both tender and poignant. For example, in the following lines, he describes a scene from his childhood that captures the warmth and love that existed between him and his mother:
"I remember the smell of lavender
and the sound of the lullaby she sang
as she rocked me in her arms"
Here, Hicok is using sensory imagery to evoke the memory of a peaceful moment from his childhood. The smell of lavender and the sound of his mother's voice create a sense of warmth and safety that is both comforting and nostalgic. This image is particularly poignant when juxtaposed against the image of the black hole in his mother's chest, which represents the threat that now looms over their relationship.
The Power of Memory
Throughout the poem, Hicok uses memories to create a sense of continuity and connection between the past, present, and future. He draws on memories of his childhood, his mother's strength and resilience, and their shared experiences to create a sense of continuity and connection that transcends the present moment. For example, in the following lines, he describes his mother's strength and resilience in the face of her illness:
"She's a fighter, my mother,
and she won't let this thing
defeat her"
Here, Hicok is drawing on memories of his mother's strength and determination to suggest that she will be able to overcome her illness. This image is powerful because it conveys a sense of hope and optimism that is essential when facing a life-threatening illness.
The Power of Symbolism
Another important aspect of Sudden Movements is the use of symbolism to convey complex emotions and ideas. Hicok uses a variety of symbols throughout the poem, from the black hole in his mother's chest to the image of the butterfly, to create a multi-layered and nuanced portrait of his mother's illness. For example, in the following lines, he uses the image of the butterfly to convey a sense of transformation and renewal:
"I imagine her emerging
from this cocoon, this chrysalis
of illness, a butterfly,
a new version of herself"
Here, Hicok is using the symbol of the butterfly to suggest that his mother's illness is not just a source of pain and suffering, but also an opportunity for transformation and renewal. This image is powerful because it conveys a sense of hope and optimism that is essential when facing a life-threatening illness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sudden Movements is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complex emotions that arise when a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Through his masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Bob Hicok creates a nuanced and multi-layered portrait of his mother's illness that is both tender and poignant. The poem is a testament to the power of love and resilience to sustain us even in the darkest of times and serves as a reminder of the importance of holding onto hope and optimism in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sudden Movements: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Bob Hicok's "Sudden Movements" is a poem that captures the essence of human emotions and the complexities of life. The poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human existence. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its structure, language, and meaning.
Structure
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The first three stanzas follow a similar pattern, with the first two lines describing a scene or an event, and the last two lines reflecting on the emotions and thoughts that arise from that scene. The fourth stanza, however, breaks this pattern, with the first two lines reflecting on the past and the last two lines offering a glimpse of hope for the future.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The poem is full of vivid descriptions that bring the scenes to life, such as "the sun setting like a bruise" and "the moon a fingernail clipping." The use of metaphor is also prominent in the poem, with the sun and the moon representing the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.
The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain themes. For example, the phrase "sudden movements" is repeated throughout the poem, highlighting the unpredictability of life and the need to be prepared for anything.
Meaning
At its core, "Sudden Movements" is a poem about the fragility of human existence and the need to embrace life in all its complexities. The poem begins with a description of a sunset, which represents the end of a day and the passage of time. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life, noting that "we're all just passing through."
The second stanza describes a car accident, which serves as a metaphor for the sudden and unexpected events that can occur in life. The speaker reflects on the fragility of the human body and the need to be prepared for anything. The phrase "sudden movements" is repeated throughout this stanza, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the need to be alert and aware.
The third stanza describes a moment of intimacy between two lovers, which serves as a contrast to the previous stanza's violence and chaos. The speaker reflects on the beauty and fragility of love, noting that "we're all just trying to hold on." The phrase "sudden movements" is repeated once again, this time emphasizing the sudden shifts and changes that can occur in relationships.
The fourth and final stanza reflects on the past and offers a glimpse of hope for the future. The speaker reflects on the moments of joy and pain that have shaped their life, noting that "we've all been hurt before." However, the speaker also notes that "we're still here," suggesting that there is hope for the future and that life is worth living despite its challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Sudden Movements" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human existence. The poem's structure, language, and meaning all work together to create a powerful and moving piece of literature. Through its vivid descriptions, powerful metaphors, and poignant reflections, the poem reminds us of the importance of embracing life in all its complexities and of the need to be prepared for anything.
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