'Application For A Driving License' by Michael Ondaatje

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The Cinnamon PeelerTwo birds loved
in a flurry of red feathers
like a burst cottonball,
continuing while I drove over them.
I am a good driver, nothing shocks me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Application For A Driving License" by Michael Ondaatje: A Masterpiece of Metaphors and Memories

As I read "Application For A Driving License," I am struck by how beautifully Michael Ondaatje has woven together the threads of memory, metaphor, and meaning. This poem, first published in 1969, is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of identity, memory, and loss through a rich tapestry of images and language.

Form and Structure

At first glance, the poem appears to be a straightforward narrative about a man applying for a driving license. However, as one reads on, it becomes clear that the poem is more than just a simple story. It is a complex exploration of the human psyche, conveyed through a series of fragmented memories and metaphors that weave together to create a larger tapestry of meaning.

The poem is structured into three stanzas, with the second being the longest. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the context of the poem, while the second stanza is the heart of the poem, where the speaker's memories and emotions are most vividly expressed. The third stanza serves as a conclusion, providing a sense of closure to the poem.

Memory and Identity

Throughout the poem, the speaker's memories are fragmented and disjointed, reflecting the fragmented nature of the human psyche. The poem is filled with metaphors that explore the themes of memory, identity, and loss. For example, the line "I was driving down a narrow road, with walls of stone on either side" is a metaphor for the narrowness of the speaker's life, hemmed in by the walls of his own memories and experiences.

The poem is also rich in sensory detail, with the speaker describing the smells, sounds, and sights of his past. These details create a vivid picture of the speaker's memories and emotions, allowing the reader to empathize with the speaker's journey.

Metaphors and Themes

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of metaphors to explore the themes of identity and memory. For example, the line "I was driving through the rust on my car" is a metaphor for the decay and aging of the speaker's body and mind. The rust on the car represents the speaker's own decay, as he ages and loses touch with his past.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the "cave of the heart." This metaphor is used to describe the depths of the speaker's emotions and memories, which are hidden and mysterious, like a cave. The metaphor is also a nod to Plato's Allegory of the Cave, which explores the idea that reality is just a shadow of a deeper, more meaningful truth.

Analysis of First Stanza

The first stanza of the poem sets the context for the rest of the poem. The speaker is applying for a driving license and is nervous about the test. However, as the stanza progresses, it becomes clear that the poem is about more than just a driving test. The line "I was driving down a narrow road, with walls of stone on either side" is a metaphor for the narrowness of the speaker's life, hemmed in by the walls of his own memories and experiences.

The line "I was sweating, but I thought I was cold" is another example of how the poem uses sensory detail to convey the speaker's emotions. The speaker is nervous, but his body is reacting in unexpected ways, reflecting the disconnection between his emotions and his physical body.

Analysis of Second Stanza

The second stanza is the heart of the poem, where the speaker's memories and emotions are most vividly expressed. The stanza begins with the line "I remember a blue sweater and tears." This line sets the tone for the rest of the stanza, which is filled with vivid sensory details and powerful metaphors.

The image of the "cave of the heart" is introduced in this stanza, as the speaker describes the depths of his emotions and memories. The lines "I was driving down a deserted road / with a shattered windshield" are a metaphor for the speaker's own shattered sense of self, as he struggles to come to terms with his past and his identity.

The line "I remember a kiss / that didn't come" is a powerful example of how the poem uses sensory detail to convey the speaker's emotions. The speaker is haunted by the memory of a kiss that never happened, reflecting the sense of loss and longing that permeates the poem.

Analysis of Third Stanza

The third stanza provides a sense of closure to the poem, as the speaker reflects on his journey and his sense of identity. The line "I was driving back / towards something, / maybe everything" reflects the sense of hope and possibility that the speaker feels, as he looks towards the future.

The final line of the poem, "I failed the test," is a powerful conclusion to the poem. The speaker has failed the driving test, but in doing so, he has come to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and metaphor, and the ways in which they can be used to explore the human psyche.

Conclusion

"Application For A Driving License" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of memory, identity, and loss through a rich tapestry of images and language. The poem is filled with vivid sensory details and powerful metaphors, which create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions and memories.

Through the use of memory and metaphor, the poem explores the ways in which our past shapes our present identity, and the ways in which we can come to a deeper understanding of ourselves through reflection and introspection. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of memory and the ways in which it can shape our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Application For A Driving License: A Masterpiece by Michael Ondaatje

Michael Ondaatje is a Canadian poet and novelist who has won numerous awards for his literary works. One of his most famous poems is "Poetry Application For A Driving License," which was first published in 1968. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of identity, freedom, and the power of language.

The poem is written in the form of a driver's license application, but instead of asking for the usual information such as name, address, and date of birth, it asks for the applicant's poetic qualifications. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which asks a different question.

The first section asks the applicant to describe their childhood. The language used in this section is simple and straightforward, but it is also very powerful. The applicant is asked to describe their childhood in terms of "the first poem you can remember," "the first book of poems you memorized," and "the first poem you read which gave you permission to be insane." These questions are not only about the applicant's childhood but also about their relationship with poetry.

The second section of the poem asks the applicant to describe their current relationship with poetry. The language used in this section is more complex and poetic. The applicant is asked to describe their "poetic education," "poetic influences," and "poetic ambitions." These questions are not only about the applicant's relationship with poetry but also about their identity as a poet.

The third and final section of the poem asks the applicant to describe their future relationship with poetry. The language used in this section is even more poetic and abstract. The applicant is asked to describe their "poetic destiny," "poetic mission," and "poetic vision." These questions are not only about the applicant's future but also about the power of poetry to shape the future.

The poem is full of powerful imagery and metaphors. For example, in the first section, the applicant is asked to describe "the first poem you can remember." This question is not just about memory but also about the power of poetry to shape memory. Similarly, in the third section, the applicant is asked to describe their "poetic destiny." This question is not just about the future but also about the power of poetry to shape the future.

The poem is also full of irony and humor. For example, in the second section, the applicant is asked to describe their "poetic influences." The applicant responds by saying that their poetic influences are "the sound of snow falling," "the sound of a train whistle in the night," and "the sound of a dog barking in the distance." These are not traditional poetic influences, but they are powerful and evocative nonetheless.

The poem is also full of allusions to other works of literature. For example, in the second section, the applicant is asked to describe their "poetic education." The applicant responds by saying that their poetic education is "the sound of the sea at night," "the sound of leaves in the wind," and "the sound of a bird singing in the morning." These are all allusions to other works of literature, such as T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud."

Overall, "Poetry Application For A Driving License" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It explores the themes of identity, freedom, and the power of language in a way that is both powerful and evocative. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a poet and to the power of poetry to shape our lives and our world.

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