The subject of these poems "Bowie" refers to the recently passed away in 2016, famous pop singer, David Bowie. Its a collection of poems in her series Life on Mars which has the same title as Bowie's song. Smith likes to write poems about the cosmos, and her thoughts on life and death.She shut out the opinions of others on the subject of death, and gave her take on it. She shut out the opinions of others on the subject of death, and gave her take on it. She used these poems to imagine Bowie, after his death, becoming a part of the cosmos. His presence is in a world paralleled to ours, still roaming in New York City. That being said, Smith's most prominent literary device would be allusion, and in this case, the allusion to David Bowie. David Bowie's cosmic appearance and wardrobe was even directly mentioned; "Some thin-hipped glittering Bowie-being--a starman" (Sec.1, Stanza 1, Line 3). In the reference, "The star that walks among us" we also get a double entendre. The star means both celebrity, but also a connection to the cosmic definition. We also get an example of overstatement when she compares Bowie to God, "Pope of Pop, coy as Christ" (Sec.2, Stanza 1, Line 2). Some of the poetic devices would include; free verse with open form, no set rhyme or meter, enjabment, alliteration, and euphony. All of these are used to amplify the imagery of the cosmos as compared to everyday life* also a metaphor* and the interestingly odd character of Bowie. It all also adds to the theme of embracing the different. With no rules in her writing, she parralells the beautifully unnatural perspective that she wants others to embrace.
Works Cited: "Don't You Wonder, Sometimes?" -Tracy K. Smith (link)
Works Cited: "Don't You Wonder, Sometimes?" -Tracy K. Smith (link)
Hey April,
ReplyDeleteNice post! I didn't read this poem, but it seems like its pretty interesting and well written. I wasn't a huge Bowie fan, but I know that people who loved him REALLY loved him, so its not surprising that this woman has a collections of poems about him. He was definitely an icon, and I like her comparing Bowie to the cosmos. Thanks for your post and thoughts about this poem, it makes me want to check it out!
Hi April,
ReplyDeleteI was never a huge Bowie fan, but am appreciative of the mark he left in the music world. Some people saw him as a god and he had many followers, but was a little too eccentric for me. I really like how you broke down some of the literary devices and gave insightful examples. Great post; thanks for sharing!
Hi April, thanks for sharing your analysis! I read this poem as well, and wondered if it was about David Bowie. From your writing, it sounds as if it was about him. I suppose maybe it would have been useful to have some prior knowledge about the musician, or perhaps just do some research about the him or the poem. I always have a hard time understanding poetry, but reading what other people have to say usually helps.
ReplyDeleteHi April,
ReplyDeleteI think it's really interesting the way that Tracy wrote all these poems on David Bowie. She must of been a super fan. I didn't read this poem, but I really like the way that she referred to his spirit as being a star in the sky and how she even incorporated the way he dressed to "Some thin-hipped glittering Bowie-being--a stamen." I think it's a really special thing to actually think of someone that passed as a star in the sky that way you feel as if they are always there. Great analysis and very interesting poem.