Naming of Parts
One of the first poems I truly enjoyed reading is The Naming
of Parts by Henry Reed. I found this poem to be captivating and more so of a
story and less of an outlet of emotions. Reed was able to create a scene with
this piece that allowed me to sit back and watch as a young soldier learned his
weapon surrounded by the beauty of nature. While listening to the poem in
class, I thought it had a nice sound it flowed and made logical sense. I liked
that I found it soothing almost, but then as I read over it and the class
discussed what they saw in the poem I was able to see the intricate weaving and
ambiguity of the piece.
I love how the speaker is taking what he
sees with all the plants and flowers around him and morphing it with the parts
of the guns he hears. It combines the beauty of nature with the harsh pieces of
war. The final stanza takes all this and has the speaker twist it together in a
magnificent way.
This is the
first piece of poetry I was able to appreciate and see the beauty behind. It felt
like I could place myself in the speaker’s shoes and understand the world
around them. Other poems we have read feel like outlets for the poet and not
really ever meant to be understood by the general public. That is what turns me
away from poetry is that it is all about the feelings and emotions the poet has
for a subject instead of making it relatable and pretty to read and imagine.
I am so glad you found a poem you enjoyed. Even though this is considered a war poem, I do agree that there is a certain beauty about the piece. One of my favorite stanzas refers to the springs of the gun moving back and forward, and the bees in the spring time. It uses springs alternate meanings and connects it in a beautiful way.
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