There are several things about this poems that caught my attention. I've read Sharon Olds before so I was familiar with some aspects of her style.
The aspects of this poem that particularly caught my attention is the use of repetition of the words 'I have' at the beginning of nearly every stanza. I found it very successful in forming a kind of rhythm, as well as creating a clear unifying sense of theme throughout the entire poem. Also in stanza four, the repeated use of ‘my’, provides a kind of contrast from the other stanzas as well as a more personal tone.
There is also great use of poetic techniques throughout the poem, consistent use of alliteration - ‘blade’ ‘bark’ ‘haft’ and ‘heavily’ in stanza one ‘belly’ and ‘big’ in stanza four and ‘giving’ and ‘glistening’ in the final verse. The use of enjambment creates a more contemporary impression as the poem does not conform to any particular traditional format or use of scheme of rhyming.
The poets use of imagery in this poem is particularly vivid, and is my personal favourite aspect. Her word choice is clear, simplistic, and incredibly authentic. The opening image of the knife throw is particularly effective in catching the attention of the reader, as it is a violent image. The list like fourth stanza presents several images in quick succession and along with the fifth stanzas, is perhaps the most dramatic, and create brutally honest images of the process of childbirth -
I have lain down and sweated and shaken
and passed blood and shit and water and
slowly alone in the center of a circle I have
passed the new person out
The association of childbirth with the process of creating poetry, which is addressed in the final stanza, and a really interesting theme.
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