'Intramuros' by Roddy Lumsden

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She lies in her well-kept apartment
above the spick and span cathedral
in the heart of the walled city
above Manila Bay and she dreams
of the great, ruined cities of Europe:
Vienna crumbling into the ocean,
Warsaw in a plague of frogs and flies
and London, where all the black men
have learned to talk like white men,
where all the white men have begun
to talk like cartoon characters.
One week left until Christmas
and you can't buy a Scrabble set
in any shop. The cartoon characters
are warming their three-fingered hands
around a bonfire made of love letters.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Interpretation of Roddy Lumsden's "Intramuros"

Are you tired of reading poems that just tell a story in a straightforward manner? Do you want to read a poem that takes you on a wild ride through time and space, leaving you breathless and questioning everything you thought you knew about poetry? Look no further than Roddy Lumsden's "Intramuros."

At first glance, "Intramuros" appears to be a simple poem about a man visiting a city. But upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a complex, multi-layered work of art that explores themes of time, memory, and the human experience.

The Setting: Intramuros

The poem is set in Intramuros, a historic walled city in Manila, Philippines. Lumsden uses vivid, sensory language to transport the reader to this exotic location:

the heat keeps him close to the walls
where the shade falls like a curtain
where the dust is as fine as cinnamon

Through Lumsden's words, we can feel the heat beating down on us, smell the dust in the air, and see the intricate details of the walls.

But Intramuros is more than just a physical location; it also represents a metaphorical wall that separates the speaker from his past. The poem is full of references to time and memory, as the speaker reflects on his experiences in the city:

he's seen it all before, he's sure
or maybe he just feels he has
he can't quite shake the deja vu

The speaker is caught in a liminal space, between past and present, memory and reality. He is haunted by his past, unable to fully escape it even as he stands in a foreign land.

The Use of Metaphor

Lumsden's use of metaphor is one of the most striking aspects of "Intramuros." Throughout the poem, he compares the speaker's experiences to various natural and man-made structures, creating a sense of interconnectedness and continuity.

For example, the walls of Intramuros are described as "a spine, a ladder, a necklace." These metaphors suggest that the walls are not just physical barriers, but also symbols of the human experience. Like a spine, our memories support us and give us structure; like a ladder, they help us climb to new heights; like a necklace, they adorn and beautify us.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker's memories to "a potter's wheel." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's memories are not fixed, but constantly shifting and evolving, like clay on a potter's wheel. The speaker is not just remembering past events, but actively shaping them, molding them into new forms.

The Role of Time

Time is a central theme in "Intramuros." The poem explores the cyclical nature of time, as the speaker reflects on his past experiences and how they continue to shape his present.

One of the most powerful moments in the poem comes when the speaker looks out over the city and sees "the same sun he saw here years ago." This moment captures the cyclical nature of time, as the speaker is transported back in time to his earlier experiences in the city.

But time is not just circular in "Intramuros"; it is also linear. The poem suggests that the speaker's memories are not just a repetition of past experiences, but also a progression towards a new understanding of the self:

he's turning things over in his head
trying to see them from the other side
trying to make patterns, connections

The speaker is not just remembering his past experiences, but actively trying to make sense of them, to understand how they fit together to create a coherent narrative of his life.

The Human Experience

At its core, "Intramuros" is a poem about the human experience. Through the metaphor of the walls of Intramuros, Lumsden explores the ways in which our memories shape and define us, and the ways in which we are connected to each other through time and space.

The poem also suggests that the human experience is not just individual, but collective. The speaker is not just remembering his own experiences, but also the experiences of others who have come before him:

the walls have seen so many faces
so many hands have touched them
so many feet have walked these stones

In this way, the walls of Intramuros become a symbol of our shared humanity, connecting us to each other across time and space.

Conclusion

"Intramuros" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of time, memory, and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphor, Roddy Lumsden transports the reader to a walled city in the Philippines and invites us to reflect on our own experiences and the ways in which they shape us.

So if you're looking for a poem that will challenge your assumptions about poetry and leave you breathless with wonder, look no further than "Intramuros."

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Intramuros: A Poem of Nostalgia and Reflection

Roddy Lumsden's poem Intramuros is a beautiful and evocative piece of writing that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. The poem is set in the walled city of Intramuros in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The city was built by the Spanish in the 16th century and was the center of political, religious, and cultural life in the country for centuries. Today, Intramuros is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of the country's rich history and cultural heritage.

The poem begins with a description of the city's walls, which are "thick and high" and "built to keep the world at bay." The walls are a metaphor for the speaker's own emotional barriers, which he has erected to protect himself from the outside world. The speaker is a visitor to the city, and he is struck by the beauty and grandeur of the walls. He is also aware of the history and significance of the city, and he feels a sense of awe and reverence as he walks through its streets.

As the speaker explores the city, he is reminded of his own past and the people and places that have shaped his life. He remembers his childhood home and the streets where he used to play. He also thinks about the people he has loved and lost, and the memories that they have left behind. The poem is filled with images of nostalgia and longing, as the speaker tries to come to terms with his own mortality and the passing of time.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the city's churches. The speaker notes that the churches are "built to last forever," and that they are "filled with the echoes of prayers and hymns." The churches are a symbol of the enduring power of faith and the human spirit. They are also a reminder of the city's colonial past and the influence of the Catholic Church on the country's culture and traditions.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity and belonging. The speaker is a visitor to the city, and he is acutely aware of his own foreignness and otherness. He notes that the people of the city "speak a language I don't understand," and that he is "an outsider looking in." However, despite his sense of alienation, the speaker also feels a sense of connection to the city and its people. He notes that "we are all strangers here," and that the city is a place where people from different backgrounds and cultures can come together and find common ground.

The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Lumsden's writing is rich and evocative, and he uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is filled with sensory details, such as the "smell of incense" and the "sound of bells." These details help to transport the reader to the city and create a sense of immersion in the poem's world.

In addition, Lumsden's use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly effective. The walls of the city, for example, are a powerful symbol of emotional barriers and the need for protection. The churches, on the other hand, are a symbol of faith and the enduring power of the human spirit. These symbols help to deepen the poem's themes and create a sense of resonance and depth.

Overall, Intramuros is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and reflection. Lumsden's writing is rich and evocative, and he uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The poem is filled with powerful images and symbols, and it explores important themes such as identity, belonging, and the passing of time. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, Intramuros is a must-read.

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