'Forbidden Fruit' by Michael Lally

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all the forbidden fruit I ever
dreamt of--or was taught to
resist and fear--ripens and
blossoms under the palms of my
hands as they uncover and explore
you--and in the most secret
corners of my heart as it discovers
and adores you--the forbidden fruit
of forgiveness--the forbidden fruit
of finally feeling the happiness
you were afraid you didn't deserve--
the forbidden fruit of my life's labor
--the just payment I have avoided
since my father taught me how--
the forbidden fruit of the secret
language of our survivors' souls as
they unfold each others secret
ballots--the ones where we voted
for our first secret desires to come
true--there's so much more
I want to say to you--but for
the first time in my life I'm at
a loss for words--because
(I understand at last)
I don't need them
to be heard by you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Forbidden Fruit: A Critical Analysis of Michael Lally's Poetry

Introduction

Michael Lally is an American poet, actor, and playwright who has contributed significantly to the realm of contemporary poetry. His works are known for their insightful observations on society, politics, and human nature, and he has won several awards for his literary contributions. Among his most acclaimed works is Forbidden Fruit, a collection of poems that explore themes of love, desire, and temptation. In this literary criticism, we will analyze Lally's poetic style, themes, and literary devices used in the collection.

The Poet's Voice and Style

Lally's poetry is characterized by its rawness and honesty. He writes in a conversational tone, using everyday language and colloquialisms to convey his ideas. His poems often read like personal confessions, with the poet sharing his thoughts and emotions openly with the reader. In Forbidden Fruit, Lally's writing style is no different. He explores the complexities of relationships, sexuality, and desire with a frankness that is refreshing and sometimes uncomfortable.

One of the most striking aspects of Lally's poetry is the way he makes use of repetition. In many of his poems, he repeats words or phrases, creating a rhythm that mimics the beat of a heart or the pulse of desire. This repetition serves to emphasize his point and create a sense of urgency. For example, in the poem "Springtime Blues," he writes:

"I'm tired of being tired I'm tired of being blue I'm tired of being lonely I'm tired of thinking of only you."

Here, the repetition of the word "tired" reinforces the speaker's weariness and frustration, while the repetition of "I'm" creates a sense of desperation.

Lally's poetry is also known for its use of humor and irony. He often employs satire and sarcasm to critique society and its norms. In the poem "The Money," he satirizes the American dream of wealth and success:

"I'm not saying the money won't make you happy It's just that it's a lousy thing to be happy about."

Here, Lally exposes the hollowness of materialism and consumerism, using irony to make his point.

Themes in Forbidden Fruit

Forbidden Fruit explores a range of themes, from love and desire to mortality and the passage of time. One of the most prominent themes in the collection is the struggle between temptation and morality. Lally's poems are filled with characters who are torn between their desires and their conscience, between the pursuit of pleasure and the fear of consequence. In "The Sin of the Father," the speaker reflects on his father's infidelity and the impact it had on his family:

"My father was a man of passion His lust caused our family's disgrace He was always searching for something That he could never find in one place."

Here, the speaker recognizes the destructive nature of his father's behavior, but also acknowledges the allure of temptation.

Another important theme in the collection is the search for identity and self-discovery. Lally's poems explore the complexities of human relationships, including the way individuals define themselves through their interactions with others. In "The Night We Met," the speaker reflects on a chance encounter with a stranger:

"I didn't know her name But I knew the way she moved The way she laughed The way she looked at me."

Here, the speaker is drawn to the stranger's individuality, recognizing that she is more than just a name or a face.

Literary Devices

Lally's poetry is characterized by its use of literary devices to create meaning and emphasize his ideas. One of the most prominent devices he employs is imagery. His poems are filled with vivid descriptions of people and places, using sensory details to create a picture in the reader's mind. In "The Night We Met," he describes the stranger's appearance:

"Her hair was long and black Her eyes were brown and deep She wore a dress that clung to her curves And high heels that clicked on the street."

Here, the imagery serves to create a clear image of the stranger, emphasizing her sensuality and the speaker's attraction to her.

Lally's poetry also makes use of metaphor and symbolism. In "The Tree of Life," he uses the image of a tree to represent the passage of time and the inevitability of death:

"The leaves turn brown and fall to the ground The branches wither and die But the tree remains, a silent witness To the passage of time and the end of life."

Here, the tree serves as a symbol of mortality, emphasizing the transience of human existence.

Conclusion

Forbidden Fruit is a collection of poems that explores the complexities of human desire and the struggle between temptation and morality. Michael Lally's raw and honest writing style, use of repetition, and literary devices such as imagery and symbolism create a rich and layered reading experience. His poems are a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience and illuminate the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir up thoughts, and leave a lasting impression on its readers. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Forbidden Fruit" by Michael Lally. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love, desire, and temptation. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to understand why it has become a classic in the world of poetry.

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem's structure. "Forbidden Fruit" is a free verse poem, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured in stanzas of varying lengths, with each stanza containing a different thought or idea. This structure allows the poet to express his thoughts and emotions in a free-flowing manner, without being bound by the constraints of traditional poetry.

The poem begins with the line, "I want to taste forbidden fruit," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing his desire for something that is forbidden, something that he knows he shouldn't have but can't resist. This theme of temptation is prevalent throughout the poem, as the speaker describes his longing for things that are out of reach.

The language used in "Forbidden Fruit" is simple yet powerful. The poet uses metaphors and imagery to convey his message, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes his desire as a "fire that burns within." This metaphor creates a sense of urgency and intensity, emphasizing the speaker's strong emotions.

Another example of powerful imagery can be found in the third stanza, where the speaker describes his desire as a "thirst that cannot be quenched." This metaphor creates a sense of longing and unfulfillment, highlighting the speaker's inability to satisfy his desires.

The poem's language is also sensual and erotic, adding to the theme of desire and temptation. For example, in the fourth stanza, the speaker describes his desire as a "sweet nectar" that he wants to taste. This metaphor creates a sense of pleasure and indulgence, emphasizing the speaker's willingness to give in to his desires.

Moving on to the poem's meaning, "Forbidden Fruit" can be interpreted in several ways. On the surface, the poem is about a person's desire for something that is forbidden. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a forbidden love or a desire for something that is socially unacceptable.

However, the poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on human nature. The speaker's desire for something that is forbidden represents the human tendency to want what we can't have. This theme is universal and can be applied to various aspects of life, such as material possessions, power, or status.

Furthermore, the poem can be seen as a critique of societal norms and expectations. The speaker's desire for something that is forbidden could be interpreted as a rebellion against the constraints of society. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where people are constantly pushing against societal norms and expectations to live their lives on their own terms.

In conclusion, "Forbidden Fruit" by Michael Lally is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and temptation. The poem's structure, language, and meaning all work together to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of art. The poem's universal themes make it relevant even today, decades after it was first written. "Forbidden Fruit" is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions, stir up thoughts, and leave a lasting impression on its readers.

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