'Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears' by Brooks Haxton

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Nakedness, Death, and the Number Zero (Knopf)2001Gripping the lectern, rocking it, searching
the faces for the souls, for signs of heartfelt
mindfulness at work, I thought, as I recited
words I wrote in tears: instead of tears,
if I had understood my father's business,
I could be selling men's clothes. I could be
kneeling, complimenting someone at the bay
of mirrors, mumblingly, with pinpoints pressed
between my lips. That was the life I held
in scorn while young, because I thought to live
without distraction, using words. Yet, looking
now into the room of strangers' eyes, I wanted
them to feel what I said touch, as palpably
as when a men in double worsted felt
the cuff drop to his wrist. There was a rush
in the applause of gratitude and mercy:
they could go. A teenager, embarrassed
for himself and me, lefthandedly
squeezed my fingers, and said thanks.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mastery of Brooks Haxton in "Poetry, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears"

Can a poem be a sales pitch? Can it sway the reader like a skilled salesperson can convince a customer to buy their product? These are the questions that Brooks Haxton's "Poetry, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" raises. And the answer? A resounding yes.

Haxton's poem is a stunning example of the power of language to persuade and manipulate. The poem is structured like a sales pitch, with Haxton assuming the role of the salesperson, and the reader as the potential buyer. He begins by establishing his credibility: "I am the poet." He then goes on to make a bold claim: "I can sell you anything." This is a sales pitch in itself, designed to pique the reader's interest and make them want to hear more.

Haxton then launches into his pitch, using a variety of persuasive techniques to try to convince the reader to buy into his message. He uses repetition, repeating the phrase "I can sell you" several times throughout the poem. He also uses hyperbole, making grand claims about the power of poetry: "It can make you immortal, bring you to tears, make you rich." These claims are obviously exaggerated, but they serve to create a sense of urgency and importance around his message.

Another technique that Haxton employs is the use of emotion. He appeals to the reader's sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time, saying "Remember when you were a child, and everything was possible?" This is a powerful emotional hook, designed to create a connection between the reader and the message.

But perhaps the most powerful aspect of Haxton's poem is its use of imagery. He uses vivid, evocative language to create a picture in the reader's mind, making it easier for them to imagine the benefits of buying into his message. For example, he describes poetry as "a magic carpet that can take you anywhere," and "a drug that can get you high without ever leaving your chair." These images are both enticing and memorable, making it more likely that the reader will remember the message long after the poem has ended.

But what is the message that Haxton is trying to sell? At its core, "Poetry, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" is a plea for the power of poetry to be recognized and valued. Haxton argues that poetry is often dismissed as frivolous or irrelevant, but in reality, it has the power to change lives. He encourages the reader to open themselves up to the possibilities of poetry, saying "Let me show you what I can do. Let me sell you poetry."

Overall, "Poetry, Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears" is a masterful example of the art of persuasion. Haxton uses a variety of techniques, from repetition to emotion to vivid imagery, to create a powerful message that is hard to ignore. And while the poem may be a sales pitch, what Haxton is selling is not a product, but an idea: the idea that poetry has the power to change the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Technique

Brooks Haxton's Poetry Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears is a stunning example of the power of poetry to evoke deep emotions and connect with readers on a profound level. This poem is a masterpiece of technique, using vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a unique structure to create a powerful and unforgettable experience for the reader.

The poem begins with a simple scene: a salesman trying to sell his wares to a group of people. But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this is not just any salesman, and these are not just any wares. The salesman is a poet, and his wares are his words. He is trying to sell his poetry to the people, to convince them of its value and worth.

The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own unique structure and tone. The first section is a description of the salesman and his wares. Haxton uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the poet as a kind of magician, weaving his words into spells that can transport the reader to another world. The poet's words are described as "jewels" and "pearls," and the salesman himself is compared to a "merchant prince."

The second section of the poem is where the real emotional power of the poem comes into play. Here, the poet begins to recite his poetry to the people, and the effect is immediate and profound. Haxton uses powerful metaphors to describe the impact of the poetry on the audience. The people are described as being "struck dumb" and "spellbound" by the poet's words. The effect is so powerful that even the poet himself is moved to tears.

The final section of the poem is a reflection on the power of poetry itself. Haxton uses a unique structure here, with each line beginning with the word "Poetry." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving home the message that poetry is a force to be reckoned with. The poet reflects on the power of poetry to move people, to inspire them, and to change the world.

One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Haxton uses language to create a sense of emotion and intensity. The poem is full of powerful metaphors and vivid imagery, which serve to heighten the emotional impact of the poem. For example, when the poet begins to recite his poetry, Haxton describes the effect as being like "a bolt of lightning" or "a thunderclap." These metaphors create a sense of energy and excitement, drawing the reader into the experience of the poem.

Another powerful technique that Haxton uses in this poem is repetition. The repetition of certain phrases and words creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the poem forward and creating a sense of urgency. For example, the repetition of the word "Poetry" in the final section of the poem creates a sense of momentum and power, driving home the message that poetry is a force to be reckoned with.

Overall, Poetry Salesmanship, With Half A Dram Of Tears is a stunning example of the power of poetry to evoke deep emotions and connect with readers on a profound level. Haxton's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and unique structure creates a powerful and unforgettable experience for the reader. This poem is a true masterpiece of emotion and technique, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

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