'Prisoners' by Yusef Komunyakaa

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Usually at the helipad
I see them stumble-dance
across the hot asphalt
with crokersacks over their heads,
moving toward the interrogation huts,
thin-framed as box kites
of sticks & black silk
anticipating a hard wind
that'll tug & snatch them
out into space. I think
some must be laughing
under their dust-colored hoods,
knowing rockets are aimed
at Chu Lai-that the water's
evaporating & soon the nail
will make contact with metal.
How can anyone anywhere love
these half-broken figures
bent under the sky's brightness?
The weight they carry
is the soil we tread night & day.
Who can cry for them?
I've heard the old ones
are the hardest to break.
An arm twist, a combat boot
against the skull, a .45
jabbed into the mouth, nothing
works. When they start talking
with ancestors faint as camphor
smoke in pagodas, you know
you'll have to kill them
to get an answer.
Sunlight throws
scythes against the afternoon.
Everything's a heat mirage; a river
tugs at their slow feet.
I stand alone & amazed,
with a pill-happy door gunner
signaling for me to board the Cobra.
I remember how one day
I almost bowed to such figures
walking toward me, under
a corporal's ironclad stare.
I can't say why.
From a half-mile away
trees huddle together,
& the prisoners look like
marionettes hooked to strings of light.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Power of Language in Yusef Komunyakaa's "Prisoners"

I am beyond thrilled to write about Yusef Komunyakaa's "Prisoners" because it's a breath of fresh air from the usual poems that we read in literature classes. Komunyakaa's poem is a remarkable piece of literature that tackles the power of language and the way it shapes our identity. The poem is an exploration of the relationship between language, power, and imprisonment. It is a commentary on the way language can be used as a tool of oppression or liberation. In "Prisoners," Komunyakaa uses vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to convey his message.

Summary

"Prisoners" is a poem that explores the theme of imprisonment, both physical and psychological. The poem is set in a prison where the speaker is a prisoner. The poem starts with the speaker describing the prison walls, which are made of concrete. The speaker then moves on to describe the prisoners who are trapped within these walls. He describes them as "blackbirds in a cage," emphasizing their confinement and the sense of powerlessness that comes with it.

The speaker then goes on to describe the power of language. He talks about how words can be used as weapons to hurt and oppress people. He describes how the prisoners are constantly bombarded with negative and hurtful words that reinforce their sense of imprisonment. The speaker then introduces the character of the "teacher," who represents the power of language to liberate and empower people. The teacher is described as a "savior" who brings hope to the prisoners.

The poem ends with the speaker describing how the prisoners use their imagination to escape their physical and psychological confinement. He talks about how they create their own worlds through language and poetry. The poem ends with the speaker describing the power of the human spirit to transcend physical and psychological imprisonment.

Analysis

Komunyakaa's "Prisoners" is a complex and multilayered poem that requires close analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and message. The poem is rich in imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, which are used to convey the central theme of the poem.

Imagery

The imagery in "Prisoners" is powerful and evocative. The concrete walls of the prison are described as "cinder-blocked," emphasizing their impenetrability and the sense of confinement that they represent. The prisoners are described as "blackbirds in a cage," which is a metaphor that emphasizes their sense of powerlessness and confinement. The use of birds as a metaphor is significant because birds are symbolic of freedom and flight. The fact that the prisoners are likened to birds that are trapped in a cage emphasizes their loss of freedom and their inability to fly.

The description of the prisoners as "darkly sweating" is also significant. The use of the word "darkly" emphasizes their sense of oppression and the fact that they are trapped in a system that does not value them. The word "sweating" is also significant because it suggests the physical discomfort and suffering of the prisoners.

Metaphor

The central metaphor in "Prisoners" is the metaphor of language as a tool of power. The poem explores the way in which language can be used to oppress or liberate people. The prisoners are constantly bombarded with negative and hurtful words that reinforce their sense of confinement and powerlessness. The use of words like "nigger" and "boy" serve to dehumanize the prisoners and reinforce their sense of inferiority.

The character of the teacher serves as a metaphor for the power of language to liberate and empower people. The teacher is described as a "savior" who brings hope to the prisoners. Through his words, he is able to inspire the prisoners and help them to see beyond their physical confinement. The use of the word "savior" is significant because it suggests that the teacher is able to save the prisoners from their psychological imprisonment.

Symbolism

The use of symbolism in "Prisoners" is also significant. The concrete walls of the prison are symbolic of the physical confinement that the prisoners are subjected to. The fact that the walls are made of concrete emphasizes their impenetrability and the sense of permanence that they represent.

The use of birds as a metaphor is also symbolic. Birds are symbolic of freedom and flight. The fact that the prisoners are likened to birds that are trapped in a cage emphasizes their loss of freedom and their inability to fly. The metaphor of the birds also serves to humanize the prisoners and emphasize their sense of suffering.

The use of the word "sweating" is also symbolic. Sweat is a bodily fluid that is associated with physical labor and the working class. The fact that the prisoners are described as "darkly sweating" emphasizes their status as oppressed and marginalized members of society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yusef Komunyakaa's "Prisoners" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of imprisonment and the power of language to liberate or oppress people. The poem is a commentary on the way language can be used as a tool of oppression or liberation. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, the poem conveys its message in a powerful and evocative way. The poem is a reminder of the power of language to shape our identity and the way we see the world. It is a call to action to use language as a tool of liberation and to fight against the forces of oppression that seek to silence our voices.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Prisoners: A Masterpiece of Yusef Komunyakaa

Poetry is a powerful tool that can be used to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It has the ability to move people, inspire them, and even change the world. Yusef Komunyakaa, a renowned poet, has used his craft to create a masterpiece called Poetry Prisoners. This poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of poetry and its relationship to the human experience.

The poem begins with the image of prisoners who are "locked in the silence of their cells." This metaphorical image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that poetry is a form of imprisonment. The prisoners in the poem are not physical prisoners, but rather prisoners of their own minds. They are trapped in their own thoughts and emotions, unable to express themselves fully.

The poem goes on to describe the prisoners as "scribbling on scraps of paper." This image suggests that the prisoners are trying to express themselves through writing, but they are limited by their lack of resources. They are forced to use whatever materials they can find to express themselves, which further emphasizes the idea that they are imprisoned.

The next stanza of the poem introduces the idea that poetry is a form of escape for the prisoners. The line "they dream of words that will set them free" suggests that poetry is a way for the prisoners to escape their physical and emotional confinement. The idea that words can set them free is a powerful one, as it suggests that poetry has the ability to transcend physical limitations.

The poem then takes a turn, as it describes the prisoners as "madmen." This image suggests that the prisoners are not just confined by their own thoughts and emotions, but that they are also struggling with mental illness. The line "they hear voices that no one else can hear" further emphasizes this idea. The prisoners are not just trying to express themselves through poetry, but they are also trying to cope with their own mental health issues.

The next stanza of the poem introduces the idea that poetry is a form of rebellion. The line "they write poems that defy the guards" suggests that poetry is a way for the prisoners to resist their oppressors. The idea that poetry can be used as a form of resistance is a powerful one, as it suggests that words have the ability to challenge authority and inspire change.

The poem then takes another turn, as it describes the prisoners as "angels." This image suggests that the prisoners are not just struggling with their own thoughts and emotions, but that they are also capable of great beauty and grace. The line "they sing hymns to the moon" further emphasizes this idea. The prisoners are not just trying to express themselves through poetry, but they are also trying to connect with something greater than themselves.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these ideas together. The line "they are prisoners of their own words" suggests that poetry is both a form of imprisonment and a form of liberation. The prisoners are trapped by their own thoughts and emotions, but they are also able to use poetry to express themselves and connect with something greater than themselves.

In conclusion, Poetry Prisoners is a powerful commentary on the nature of poetry and its relationship to the human experience. Yusef Komunyakaa has used his craft to create a masterpiece that explores the themes of imprisonment, escape, mental illness, rebellion, and beauty. This poem is a testament to the power of words and their ability to move people, inspire them, and even change the world.

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