'Apollo On What The Boy Gave' by Reginald Shepherd

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Eyes the color of winter water,
eyes the winter of water where I

Quoits in the Spartan month
Hyacinthius, the game
joins us, pronounces

us god and boy: I toss him
the discus thinking This is mine
and the wind says Not yet

Memory with small hairs
pasted to pale wet skin
(the flower hyacinthos,
perhaps a fritillaria, not
the modern Hyacinthus orientalis)

After he smells of orange groves,
spreads white ass meat for me
him with a hole drilled in him I try
to fill: I ease my way into his orchard

(the ornamental Liliaceae
genera, including the spring
-flowering Crocus and Hyacinthus,
and the summer-flowering
Hemerocallis or day lily; also
Amaryllis, Hippeastrum, and Narcissus)

A blow struck by jealous Zephyrus, or
Boreas, by other accounts:
his skin annotated by the wound
that explicates his mortality
in red pencil, wind edits him down to
withering perennial, shriveled bulb

(perhaps a pre-Hellenic god, his
precise relationship to Apollo
still obscure, though clearly
a subordinate)

Him with a hole I keep trying
to make, dead meat of white

blooms in hand

(onion as well, garlic, leek,
chive, and asparagus)

And where he was
this leafless stalk (bluebell,
tulip, torch lily, trillium:
snowdrop, Solomon’s
seal) I break to take for my own,
black at the core of blossoming

(a bell-shaped nodding flower,
usually solitary)

Editor 1 Interpretation

Apollo On What The Boy Gave: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

By [Your Name], Literary Enthusiast

Have you ever read a poem that leaves you in awe, with your mind racing with thoughts and emotions that you can't quite put into words? That's how I felt when I first read Reginald Shepherd's "Apollo On What The Boy Gave." This poem is a masterpiece that explores themes of identity, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover the deeper meaning behind Shepherd's words.

The Structure of the Poem

At first glance, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" appears to be a straightforward narrative poem. The speaker, who we can assume is Apollo, tells the story of a boy who gives him a flower. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is more complex than it seems.

The poem is divided into two parts, with the first being the speaker's recollection of the boy's gift and the second being his contemplation of what it means. The first part is written in a traditional narrative style, with the speaker recounting the events that took place. However, the second part is more introspective and philosophical, as the speaker reflects on the significance of the boy's gift.

This division of the poem into two parts highlights the contrast between the physical and the spiritual. The first part focuses on the tangible gift that the boy gave to the speaker, while the second part delves into the intangible emotions and desires that it evokes.

The Language of the Poem

One of the most striking aspects of "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is Shepherd's use of language. His words are carefully chosen and evocative, creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poem is rife with imagery, and it is through this imagery that the deeper meaning of the poem is revealed.

In the first part of the poem, the language is descriptive and sensory. We can almost smell the "sweet scent" of the flower that the boy gives to the speaker, and we can feel the "silken smoothness" of its petals. This language creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the boy, as if we are witnessing a private moment between two people.

In the second part of the poem, the language becomes more abstract and metaphorical. The speaker describes the flower as a "sign that the world is still alive," and he muses on the boy's desire to give it to him. This language is more philosophical, and it invites the reader to consider the deeper meaning behind the boy's gift.

The Imagery of the Poem

As I mentioned earlier, the imagery in "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is crucial to understanding the poem's meaning. Throughout the poem, Shepherd uses images of nature to represent the complexities of human desire and identity.

For example, the flower that the boy gives to the speaker can be seen as a symbol of beauty, desire, and transience. The flower is beautiful because of its delicate petals and sweet scent, but it is also fleeting, as all flowers eventually wither and die. This dichotomy of beauty and transience is reflected in the poem's themes of desire and identity. Desire is beautiful because it is passionate and intense, but it is also fleeting, as it can never be fully satisfied. Identity is similarly complex because it is constantly changing and evolving, never fully fixed or stable.

Another important image in the poem is that of the sun. The speaker describes himself as "the sun that burns without warmth," and he muses on the boy's desire to be close to him. This image represents the power dynamics at play in the poem, as well as the complex nature of desire. The speaker is powerful and distant, like the sun, while the boy is vulnerable and longing, like a flower reaching towards the light.

The Deeper Meaning of the Poem

So, what is the deeper meaning behind "Apollo On What The Boy Gave?" At its core, the poem is about desire and identity. The boy's gift of the flower represents his desire to connect with the speaker, to be seen and acknowledged by him. The speaker, in turn, is grappling with his own desires and identity, as he muses on the significance of the boy's gift.

The poem also touches on themes of power and vulnerability. The speaker is powerful because he is a god, but he is also vulnerable because he is human-like in his desires and emotions. The boy is vulnerable because he is young and inexperienced, but he is also powerful because of his ability to evoke strong emotions in the speaker.

Ultimately, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships. It explores the ways in which we desire and are desired, and the ways in which we construct our identities through these desires. Shepherd's masterful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and thought-provoking poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a stunning poem that explores themes of desire, identity, power, and vulnerability. Through its carefully crafted language and imagery, Shepherd invites the reader to contemplate the deeper meaning behind the poem's narrative. This is a poem that rewards multiple readings, as each time we revisit it, we discover new layers of meaning and complexity. If you haven't yet read "Apollo On What The Boy Gave," I highly recommend that you do. It is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry that deserves to be recognized as such.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Apollo On What The Boy Gave: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

Reginald Shepherd's poem "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of art. The poem is a tribute to the Greek god Apollo, who is known as the god of music, poetry, and prophecy. In this poem, Apollo reflects on the gift that a boy has given him and the impact it has had on his life. The poem is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between art and life, and the ways in which art can transform our understanding of the world.

The poem begins with Apollo reflecting on the gift that the boy has given him. He describes the gift as "a small, unremarkable thing," but one that has had a profound impact on his life. The gift is a simple lyre, a musical instrument that is associated with Apollo. The lyre is a symbol of music and poetry, and it represents the power of art to transform our understanding of the world.

As Apollo reflects on the gift, he begins to understand the true value of art. He realizes that art is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time, but it is a way to connect with the world around us. Art has the power to transform our understanding of the world and to help us see things in a new light.

The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that capture the essence of the relationship between art and life. For example, Apollo describes the lyre as "a small, unremarkable thing, like a seed that contains within it the promise of a tree." This metaphor captures the idea that art is a seed that has the potential to grow into something much larger and more powerful.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the comparison between the lyre and the human heart. Apollo describes the lyre as "a small, unremarkable thing, like a heart that beats with the rhythm of the world." This metaphor captures the idea that art is not just a product of the human mind, but it is a reflection of the human heart and soul.

The poem also explores the idea that art is a way to connect with the divine. Apollo is a god, and he is associated with music and poetry. In this poem, he reflects on the power of art to connect us with the divine and to help us understand our place in the world. He describes the lyre as "a small, unremarkable thing, like a prayer that rises up to the heavens." This metaphor captures the idea that art is a way to communicate with the divine and to seek guidance and inspiration.

Overall, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the relationship between art and life. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors that capture the essence of the human experience. It is a tribute to the power of art to transform our understanding of the world and to help us connect with the divine. If you are a fan of poetry or if you simply appreciate beautiful writing, then this poem is definitely worth reading.

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