Rafaela V.

Kimberly Callison

Creative Writing

8 November 2024

Poem Analysis

1.​ Vessel - Boris Rhyzhy

Enameled vessel

Window, nightstand and bed

Living is difficult and uncomfortable

But it is comfortable to die

I lie there and think: hardly

this white sheet

was used yesterday to cover the one,

who has today entered the other world.

And silently dripping from the tap

And life is disheveled like a whore

Comes out of the fog

And sees - nightstand, bed

And I'm trying to get up

I want to look in its eyes

Look into the eyes and burst into tears

And never die, never die

Type of poem: lyrical.

Theme/message: To understand this poem, it is first necessary to know its context. Boris

Rhyzhy wrote this poem in the hospital after a failed suicide attempt. Therefore, it narrates
his experience in his hospital room and describes his new point of view relating to life after

the significant event of trying to take his own life. He observes that the bed sheet he lies

under was not used to cover the person in that room before him and now has entered “the

other world” — outside of the hospital, in his or her new and healed life. The author

describes his surroundings and narrates his new future: “coming out of the fog,” which means

he is letting go of the past and embracing a new reality. Ryzhy’s desire to look into life’s eyes

and cry shows his strong ambition not to feel depressed anymore — which he finds difficult,

as he still perceives death as a salvation, as when he says “it is comfortable to die” and “life is

disheveled like a whore.” It has themes of death and reconciliation. I find this poem relating

because I have fought suicidal thoughts, so it encouraged me to let go of them and try to see a

point in living again.

Imagery poetic element: Boris Rhyzy uses several objects to create an image of his hospital

room in the reader. He lists a few objects, without much detail, to give an idea of a simple and

luxury-free room. The author uses adjectives to describe how he feels, such as

“uncomfortable”, “fog” and “disheveled” which make the room feel unsettling and cold.

Simile poetic element: a simile is used in one of the lines, “And life is disheveled like a

whore.”

2.​ Suffocation - Crystal Castles

We ignore refused consent

Animals do not repent

Courtesy to intervene

Weathered down my selfish needs

I suffocate

And promise me you won't resuscitate

I'm wasting my days as I've wasted my nights and I've wasted my youth

You're waiting for something

You've waited in vain because there's nothing for you

Suffocation

Humility yet to be seen

Models made of plasticene

Morality disgrace us now

Entertain and take a bow

I suffocate

And promise me you won't resuscitate

And if I change my mind it's far too late

I'm wasting my days as I've wasted my nights and I've wasted my youth

You're waiting for something

You've waited in vain because there's nothing for you

Suffocation

Type of poem: lyrical.

Theme/message: The poem, written by Alice Glass, a member of the band Crystal Castles,

conveys a feeling of anguish and suppression, caused by regret. Alice constantly mentions the

wish to intervene in situations, which was impossible due to her “selfish needs” — an internal

conflict. However, she emphasizes the strong regret she felt for not doing it, comparing it to

something that suffocates her and repeating the idea of “wasted time.” Also, the singer

presents the concept of letting go of her struggling reality and embracing what she wants to

do, as when Alice mentions “Entertain and take a bow,” “And promise me you won't

resuscitate / And if I change my mind it is far too late.” Therefore, the song has themes of
anguish and relinquishment. I relate to this song because I have avoided doing things I

wanted due to the fear of being judged, which caused me a strong feeling of regret, so this

song helped me free myself and become who I am.

Rhyme poetic element: this poem has a consistent use of rhymes. On the first quadruplets,

the main verses, the rhyme as a structure of AABB. The pre-chorus has a rhyme structure of

CCC. Then, the chorus is organized in a DEDF scheme. Finally, the next quadruplets have an

AAGG structure.

Alliteration poetic element: the repetition of the “w” sound in “I'm wasting my days as I've /

wasted my nights and I've wasted my youth / You're waiting for something / You've waited in

vain because there's nothing for you”

3.​ How to Make a Dadaist Poem - Tristan Tzara

To make a Dadaist poem:

Take a newspaper.

Take a pair of scissors.

Choose an article as long as you are planning to make your poem.

Cut out the article.

Then cut out each of the words that make up this article and put them in a bag.

Shake it gently.

Then take out the scraps one after the other in the order in which they left the bag.

Copy conscientiously.

The poem will be like you.

And here are you a writer, infinitely original and endowed with a sensibility that is charming

though beyond the understanding of the vulgar.

Type of poem: didactic.

spontaneity and randomness. The writer encourages the reader to abandon conventional

methods of composition and instead create a unique and unpredictable poem, highlighting the

Dadaist belief in breaking free from established structures. This approach is a reflection of

the Dadaist artistic movement, which aimed to make art that would shock, perplex, and

challenge societal norms, rejecting any rule or limitation. By inviting the reader to create a

poem through chance, the poet suggests that authenticity and individuality emerge naturally

from this process, as seen in the line, “The poem will be like you.” This line implies that the

poem, though born of randomness, will still embody the creator’s unique essence and

sensibility. In this way, the poem celebrates the idea that art can be a deeply personal, freeing

experience, liberated from traditional expectations.

Imagery poetic element: the poem makes the reader imagine the steps as it is explaining it.

One example are the lines “Take a newspaper. / Take a pair of scissors. / Choose an article as

long as you are planning to make your poem. / Cut out the article.” in which you can visually

imagine these actions.

Simile poetic element: the author uses a synonym in the line “The poem will be like you.”

comparing the reader to the poem.