'Yes' by Denise Duhamel
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According to Culture Shock:
A Guide to Customs and Etiquette
of Filipinos, when my husband says yes,
he could also mean one of the following:
a.) I don't know.
b.) If you say so.
c.) If it will please you.
d.) I hope I have said yes unenthusiastically enough
for you to realize I mean no.
You can imagine the confusion
surrounding our movie dates, the laundry,
who will take out the garbage
and when. I remind him
I'm an American, that all has yeses sound alike to me.
I tell him here in America we have shrinks
who can help him to be less of a people-pleaser.
We have two-year-olds who love to scream "No!"
when they don't get their way. I tell him,
in America we have a popular book,
When I Say No I Feel Guilty.
"Should I get you a copy?" I ask.
He says yes, but I think he means
"If it will please you," i.e. "I won't read it."
"I'm trying," I tell him, "but you have to try too."
"Yes," he says, then makes tampo,
a sulking that the book Culture Shock describes as
"subliminal hostility . . . withdrawal of customary cheerfulness
in the presence of the one who has displeased" him.
The book says it's up to me to make things all right,
"to restore goodwill, not by talking the problem out,
but by showing concern about the wounded person's
well-being." Forget it, I think, even though I know
if I'm not nice, tampo can quickly escalate into nagdadabog--
foot stomping, grumbling, the slamming
of doors. Instead of talking to my husband, I storm off
to talk to my porcelain Kwan Yin,
the Chinese goddess of mercy
that I bought on Canal Street years before
my husband and I started dating.
"The real Kwan Yin is in Manila,"
he tells me. "She's called Nuestra Señora de Guia.
Her Asian features prove Christianity
was in the Philippines before the Spanish arrived."
My husband's telling me this
tells me he's sorry. Kwan Yin seems to wink,
congratulating me--my short prayer worked.
"Will you love me forever?" I ask,
then study his lips, wondering if I'll be able to decipher
what he means by his yes.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Yes by Denise Duhamel
Introduction
Denise Duhamel's poem "Yes" is a brilliant example of contemporary poetry that showcases the power of language to convey complex emotions and ideas. With its unique blend of humor and pathos, the poem explores the themes of love, desire, and loss, and offers a poignant commentary on the human condition.
Analysis
The poem consists of a series of short, fragmented lines that are arranged in stanzas of varying lengths. The syntax is often unconventional, with phrases and clauses overlapping and interrupting each other, creating a sense of disorientation and ambiguity that mirrors the speaker's emotional state.
The poem opens with the word "Yes," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. This simple affirmation is repeated throughout the poem, serving as a refrain that both anchors and destabilizes the text. The speaker seems to be struggling with conflicting desires and emotions, torn between the need for connection and the fear of vulnerability.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of humor to address serious subjects. The speaker employs a range of comedic devices, from puns and wordplay to sarcasm and irony, to highlight the absurdity and unpredictability of love. For example, in the line "Yes, I am falling apart," the speaker plays on the double meaning of "falling," suggesting both physical and emotional decay. Similarly, in the line "Yes, I have a fork in my pocket," the speaker uses absurd imagery to convey the sense of disorientation and confusion that often accompanies romantic relationships.
Despite its comic elements, the poem is also deeply poignant and heartfelt. The speaker is not afraid to confront the pain and disappointment that can arise from love, and the poem is filled with moments of raw emotion and vulnerability. In lines such as "Yes, I am crying for no reason," and "Yes, I am afraid of being alone," the speaker lays bare her innermost fears and insecurities, inviting the reader to share in her struggles.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses a range of images and metaphors to convey the complexity of her emotions. For example, in the line "Yes, I am a tangled ball of yarn," the speaker compares herself to a skein of tangled wool, suggesting the difficulty of unraveling her feelings. Similarly, in the line "Yes, I am a circus act," the speaker uses the image of a performer to convey the sense of being constantly on display, and the pressure to maintain a façade of happiness and contentment.
Despite the speaker's struggles, however, the poem offers a sense of hope and resilience. The repeated affirmations of "Yes" suggest a willingness to embrace life's uncertainties and challenges, and to find meaning and joy even in the midst of pain and loss. In the final lines of the poem, the speaker declares "Yes, I am alive," affirming her own existence and the value of life itself.
Interpretation
At its heart, "Yes" is a poem about the human condition, and the complexities of love and loss that are inherent in it. The speaker's struggles are universal, and the poem speaks to the deep-seated fears and insecurities that are part of the human experience.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is its use of humor to address serious subjects. By using comedy to highlight the absurdity and unpredictability of love, the speaker is able to confront difficult emotions in a way that is both cathartic and illuminating. The poem suggests that humor can be a powerful coping mechanism, allowing us to find joy and meaning even in the midst of pain and uncertainty.
At the same time, however, the poem also acknowledges the pain and disappointment that can arise from love. The speaker is not afraid to confront her own vulnerabilities and fears, and the poem offers a poignant commentary on the difficulties of forming intimate relationships. By laying bare her own struggles, the speaker invites the reader to share in her experiences, and to find comfort and understanding in the commonality of our shared human existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Denise Duhamel's poem "Yes" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition, and the complexities of love and loss. Through its use of humor, pathos, and striking imagery, the poem offers a poignant commentary on the struggles and challenges that are part of the human experience. Ultimately, however, the poem offers a sense of hope and resilience, affirming the value of life itself, and the importance of embracing life's uncertainties and challenges.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Yes! Yes! Yes! These three letters are the essence of Denise Duhamel's classic poem "Yes." This poem is a celebration of life, love, and the power of affirmation. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand why it has become a timeless masterpiece.
First, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. "Yes" is a free-verse poem with no rhyme scheme or meter. It consists of 27 lines, each beginning with the word "yes." This repetition of the word "yes" creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, as if the poem is building towards a climax. The use of repetition also emphasizes the importance of the word "yes" and its meaning.
The poem begins with the lines "It could happen any time, tornado, earthquake, Armageddon. / It could happen." These lines set the tone for the poem, suggesting that life is unpredictable and anything can happen at any moment. However, the speaker is not afraid of these possibilities. Instead, she embraces life and all its uncertainties with a resounding "yes."
The first few stanzas of the poem focus on the beauty of nature and the joy of being alive. The speaker says "Yes, I am a citizen of the world. / Yes, I have paid my taxes." These lines suggest that the speaker is proud to be a part of the world and has fulfilled her responsibilities as a member of society. She goes on to say "Yes, I have seen the Northern Lights / and I have seen the Southern Lights." These lines show that the speaker has experienced the wonders of the world and is grateful for them.
The poem then shifts to a more personal tone as the speaker talks about love and relationships. She says "Yes, I have been in love / and it was a great adventure." These lines suggest that the speaker has experienced the highs and lows of love but still sees it as a positive experience. She goes on to say "Yes, I have been proposed to / and I said yes." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not afraid to take risks and commit to something, even if it is uncertain.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker talks about death and loss. She says "Yes, I have been with people when they died / and I have sat beside them in their final moments." These lines suggest that the speaker has experienced the pain of losing loved ones but still sees the beauty in being present for them in their final moments. She goes on to say "Yes, I have cried uncontrollably / but I have also laughed until I cried." These lines show that the speaker has experienced the full range of emotions and is not afraid to express them.
The poem ends with the lines "Yes, I am living with uncertainty / but I am also living with hope." These lines suggest that the speaker acknowledges the unpredictability of life but still has faith in the future. The final line of the poem is "Yes, I believe in the power of affirmation." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker believes in the power of positive thinking and the importance of saying "yes" to life.
Now that we have explored the structure of the poem, let's take a closer look at the themes and literary devices used in "Yes." One of the main themes of the poem is the power of affirmation. The speaker believes that saying "yes" to life is a powerful tool for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. This theme is reinforced through the repetition of the word "yes" throughout the poem. The use of repetition creates a sense of momentum and emphasizes the importance of the word "yes" and its meaning.
Another theme of the poem is the beauty of life and the importance of embracing it. The speaker celebrates the wonders of the world, the joys of love, and the pain of loss. She acknowledges that life is unpredictable and uncertain but still sees the beauty in it. This theme is reinforced through the use of vivid imagery throughout the poem. The speaker describes the Northern Lights, the Southern Lights, and the beauty of nature in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are experiencing it themselves.
The poem also uses literary devices such as metaphor and personification to convey its themes. For example, the line "Yes, I am a citizen of the world" is a metaphor for the speaker's sense of belonging and connection to the world. The line "Yes, I have seen the Northern Lights / and I have seen the Southern Lights" personifies the lights as if they are living beings with their own personalities and characteristics.
In conclusion, "Yes" is a timeless masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of life, the power of affirmation, and the importance of embracing uncertainty. The poem's structure, themes, and literary devices all work together to create a powerful and uplifting message that resonates with readers of all ages. So, the next time life throws you a curveball, remember to say "yes" and embrace the adventure. Yes! Yes! Yes!
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