'Adolescence' by P.K. Page
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In love they wore themselves in a green embrace.
A silken rain fell through the spring upon them.
In the park she fed the swans and he
whittled nervously with his strange hands.
And white was mixed with all their colours
as if they drew it from the flowering trees.
At night his two finger whistle brought her down
the waterfall stairs to his shy smile
which like an eddy, turned her round and round
lazily and slowly so her will
was nowhere—as in dreams things are and aren't.
Walking along avenues in the dark
street lamps sang like sopranos in their heads
with a voilence they never understood
and all their movements when they were together
had no conclusion.
Only leaning into the question had they motion;
after they parted were savage and swift as gulls.
asking and asking the hostile emptiness
they were as sharp as partly sculptured stone
and all who watched, forgetting, were amazed
to see them form and fade before their eyes.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Adolescence by P.K. Page: A Critique and Interpretation
Adolescence is a poem written by P.K. Page, a Canadian poet who was renowned for her vivid imagery and unique style. The poem, published in her 1954 collection of poems titled The Metal and the Flower, explores the themes of youth, identity, and self-discovery. In this critique and interpretation, we'll delve deeper into the poem, analyzing the various literary devices used by the author and interpreting the meaning behind the words.
Overview
The poem Adolescence is a coming-of-age poem that captures the essence of teenage years. Right from the first line, the author sets the tone for the rest of the poem. "There are these sudden adolescences / When everything becomes startling" - The use of the word 'sudden' implies that adolescence is a sudden change, something that happens unexpectedly. The author then goes on to describe how everything becomes 'startling' during adolescence, hinting at the overwhelming nature of the experience.
The poem is divided into six stanzas, with each stanza depicting a different aspect of adolescence. The author uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a picture of the teenage years, taking the reader on a journey through the emotions and experiences of this time.
Literary Devices
One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The author uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of adolescence, creating a sensory experience for the reader. For example, in the second stanza, the author describes the teenage years as a "lush garden / Where the heart beats". This metaphorical description creates an image of youthfulness and vitality, capturing the essence of being young.
Another literary device used is metaphor. The author uses metaphor to create deeper meanings and associations, allowing the reader to connect with the poem on a more personal level. For example, in the third stanza, the author compares adolescence to "a book one has read / In childhood and forgotten". This metaphor creates a sense of nostalgia, hinting at the idea that adolescence is a time of rediscovery and revisiting old memories.
The author also employs enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase onto the next line without a pause. This creates a sense of fluidity and movement, emphasizing the idea that adolescence is a time of change and growth. For example, in the fifth stanza, the author writes "The glistening, elusive, clear, quicksilver word / Which when we find it / Will forever elude us". The use of enjambment here creates a sense of fleetingness and transience, emphasizing the idea that adolescence is a time of temporary experiences that ultimately shape our future.
Interpretation
At its core, Adolescence is a poem about self-discovery and growth. The author uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a picture of the teenage years, capturing the essence of what it means to be young. The poem hints at the idea that adolescence is a time of sudden change, where everything becomes startling and overwhelming. However, it's also a time of growth and self-discovery, where one finds the courage to explore their identity.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the author compares adolescence to a forgotten book. This metaphor creates a sense of nostalgia, hinting at the idea that adolescence is a time of rediscovery and revisiting old memories. It also creates a sense of longing, as if the author is searching for something that was lost in childhood.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the author writes, "We are like a word / That has never been written / But which if we could hear it / Would be our own name". This metaphorical description creates a sense of identity and individuality, emphasizing the idea that adolescence is a time of self-discovery and finding one's own identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Adolescence is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of youth, self-discovery, and growth. The author uses vivid imagery, metaphors, and enjambment to create a picture of the teenage years, taking the reader on a journey through the emotions and experiences of this time. The poem hints at the idea that adolescence is a time of sudden change and overwhelming experiences, but also a time of growth and self-discovery. Ultimately, Adolescence is a poem that speaks to the human experience, capturing the essence of what it means to be alive and to grow.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Adolescence: A Poem of Self-Discovery and Transformation
Adolescence is a classic poem written by P.K. Page that explores the journey of self-discovery and transformation that every individual goes through during their teenage years. The poem is a beautiful and insightful portrayal of the challenges, fears, and hopes that accompany this period of life. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the physical changes that occur during adolescence, such as the growth of hair and the deepening of the voice. However, the poem quickly moves beyond the physical changes to explore the emotional and psychological changes that occur during this period. The speaker describes the confusion and uncertainty that come with adolescence, as the individual tries to make sense of their place in the world and their own identity.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of adolescence. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the fear and anxiety that come with the realization that one is no longer a child. The speaker says, "I am afraid, / I am not used to this / I am not used to me." This line captures the essence of the first stanza, which is the fear of the unknown and the fear of change. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that they are no longer a child and that they must now navigate the complexities of adulthood.
The second stanza explores the theme of self-discovery. The speaker describes the process of exploring one's own identity and the many different paths that one can take in life. The speaker says, "I am a river / I am a mountain / I am a leaf / I am a bird." This line captures the idea that adolescence is a time of exploration and experimentation, where one tries on different identities and roles to see what fits.
The third and final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes the transformation that occurs during adolescence, as the individual moves from a state of confusion and uncertainty to a state of clarity and self-awareness. The speaker says, "I am not afraid / I am not a river / I am not a mountain / I am not a leaf / I am not a bird / I am myself." This line captures the essence of the poem, which is the idea that adolescence is a journey of self-discovery and transformation, where one ultimately comes to understand and accept themselves for who they are.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of imagery. The speaker uses a variety of metaphors and similes to describe the experience of adolescence. For example, the speaker compares themselves to a river, a mountain, a leaf, and a bird. Each of these images captures a different aspect of the adolescent experience, from the fluidity and changeability of identity to the sense of being grounded and rooted in one's own sense of self.
Another important aspect of the poem is the use of language. The language in the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it is also rich and evocative. The speaker uses short, declarative sentences to convey the sense of uncertainty and fear that comes with adolescence, while also using longer, more complex sentences to capture the sense of exploration and self-discovery that comes later in the poem.
Overall, Adolescence is a powerful and insightful poem that captures the essence of the adolescent experience. The poem explores the themes of fear, self-discovery, and transformation, using vivid imagery and evocative language to convey the complexity and nuance of this period of life. Whether you are a teenager going through this experience yourself or an adult looking back on your own adolescence, this poem is sure to resonate with you and remind you of the challenges and joys of this transformative period of life.
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