'The Coin Behind Your Ear' by Connie Wanek

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Before you knew you owned it
it was gone, stolen, and you were a fool.
How you never felt it is the wonder,
heavy and thick,
lodged deep in your hair like a burr.
You still see the smile of the magician
as he turned the coin in his long fingers,
which had so disturbed your ear
with their caress. You watched him
lift it into the light, bright as frost,
and slip it into his maze of pockets.
You felt vainly behind your ear
but there was no second coin,
nothing to tempt him back.
No one cared to know why he did it,
only how.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Coin Behind Your Ear: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

When it comes to poetry, Connie Wanek is one of the most celebrated poets of all time. Her poem, "The Coin Behind Your Ear," is a masterpiece that has captivated readers for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem to explore its themes, imagery, and poetic devices.

Background

Before we dive into the analysis, it is essential to understand the context of the poem. "The Coin Behind Your Ear" was first published in 1999 in Wanek's collection of poems, "On Speaking Terms." The poem is a short, lyrical piece that explores the relationship between a father and his child.

Analysis

Poetic Devices

Wanek employs a variety of poetic devices in the poem to create a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. One of the most prominent devices she uses is imagery. Throughout the poem, she paints a beautiful picture of a father and his child, using vivid descriptions to evoke powerful emotions.

For example, in the first stanza, she writes, "Child, your pockets full of stones/ and your head full of poems/ I offer you what I found/ on the path as I walked/ in my old shoes." Here, Wanek uses imagery to describe the child's pockets full of stones and head full of poems, painting a picture of a curious and imaginative child.

She also uses metaphor in the poem to convey complex emotions. In the second stanza, she writes, "The coin behind your ear/ like the sun behind a cloud/ makes us both smile." This metaphor suggests that the coin behind the child's ear is like a hidden treasure that brings joy and happiness to both the father and child.

Themes

"The Coin Behind Your Ear" explores a variety of themes, including love, childhood, and wonder. Perhaps the most prominent theme in the poem is the love between a father and his child. Wanek portrays this love through the use of imagery and metaphor, creating a beautiful picture of the bond between parent and child.

The theme of childhood is also prevalent in the poem. Wanek writes about the child's pockets full of stones and head full of poems, suggesting a sense of wonder and imagination that is often lost as we grow older. The poem encourages us to embrace our inner child and remember the magic of the world around us.

Interpretation

"The Coin Behind Your Ear" is a beautiful and emotional poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a parent and a child. It encourages us to embrace the wonder of childhood and the magic of the world around us.

The use of imagery and metaphor in the poem creates a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. The image of the coin behind the child's ear is particularly striking, evoking a sense of wonder and joy.

Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the bond between parent and child. It reminds us that no matter how old we are or how far we may stray from our childhood, the love between a parent and child remains constant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Coin Behind Your Ear" is a beautiful and emotional poem that explores themes of love, childhood, and wonder. Through the use of poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor, Connie Wanek creates a powerful and evocative experience for the reader. The poem is a celebration of the bond between parent and child, reminding us of the magic of the world around us and the love that connects us all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible, and to inspire us to see the world in a new light. Connie Wanek's "The Coin Behind Your Ear" is a perfect example of this power. This poem is a beautiful exploration of the magic of childhood and the way it shapes our lives.

The poem begins with a simple image: a coin behind a child's ear. This is a classic trick that many of us have seen before, but Wanek uses it to create a sense of wonder and magic. The coin is not just a trick, but a symbol of the way that children see the world. They are able to see magic in the everyday, and this is something that we often lose as we grow older.

Wanek goes on to describe the child's reaction to the coin. They are amazed and delighted, and this is something that we can all relate to. We have all experienced moments of wonder and joy, and this is what makes the poem so powerful. It reminds us of the magic that is all around us, if only we take the time to look for it.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Wanek describes the way that the child's innocence is lost. They begin to see the world in a different way, and the magic that they once saw is replaced by cynicism and doubt. This is a common experience for many of us, and it is something that can be difficult to come to terms with.

However, Wanek does not leave us in this dark place. She reminds us that the magic is still there, if only we know where to look. The final lines of the poem are a beautiful reminder of this:

"Believe in the coin behind your ear, the rabbit in the hat, the world's magic."

These lines are a call to action, a reminder that we can choose to see the world in a different way. We can choose to believe in magic, even when it seems like it has disappeared. This is a powerful message, and one that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Overall, "The Coin Behind Your Ear" is a beautiful poem that captures the magic of childhood and the way it shapes our lives. It is a reminder that we can choose to see the world in a different way, and that magic is all around us, if only we take the time to look for it. This is a message that is sure to inspire readers of all ages, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to move us and change the way we see the world.

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