It's amazing that when people want to express something that they are feeling they do so in poetry. Some write about what they want to do to themselves to end their suffering and others write about what they have witnessed when others attempt to do something to another human being.
In Hart Crane's "To Brooklyn Bridge" it seems that a person is thinking about killing themselves by leaping from the bridge. The reader is given the image by the narrator of a person "tilting there momently, shrill shirt ballooning,/ A jest falls from the speechless caravan."
I couldn't ever imagine killing myself. I just think about my family and everyone that cares so much for me, but here once again I am appealing to that heart on my sleeve.
David Lehman's "The World Trade Center" shows the hatred among the people of New York city for the massive buildings that took over their skyline. He compares their ugliness to the majesty of the Chrysler Building and the character of the Empire State Building. He also said that when attacted the building took up new meaning for those that lived there. And it did. When the towers were attacked in 1996 they became a symbol for us about how our country could stand up to anything.
Reading this poem now makes me wonder what Lehman was thinking about when the Towers were hit and destroyed in 2001. I can remember my heart stopping as I watched the first plane and then the second hit the towers as I watched from my US History teacher's classroom and the automatic tears that slid down my face. I felt betrayed. For the people of New York to have lived through that twice must have been insanely traumatic.
And so, while people still believe that taking one's life is a way to get out of your problems I say to you it is not. I also say that for people to feel strongly when someone or something is attacked to change their outlook on things - that shows strength.
Tiffany
Tiffany, I'm not sure why this blog entry was so stubborn, but it finally worked when I pasted the "Trackback Link" for each page...
Trackback Link:
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2102
Trackback Link: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2103
...into the "URLs to Ping" box of the Edit Entry screen.
I haven't had to do that for anyone else's blog... but it works.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at March 2, 2005 2:02 PMIt was honestly chilling for me to read "The World Trade Center" poem. Some of you know that I lost an uncle in the second tower, 110th floor. Well, the date of the poem obviously tells us that this piece isn't about 9/11/2001; however, some of the same thoughts can be applied to that second bombing (1996 being the first, and the topic of the poem).
"When the bomb went off and the buildings became
A great symbol of America, like the Statue..."
Anytime I see an old movie, picture, or even the image of the silhoette of the buildings imposed on the site I can't help but get knotted inside--feeling for those thousands that died, their families; wondering what they were thinking as they died, who misses them and loves them, how life would be different if they had lived?
Tiffany, I find it interesting that you believe the narrator in "To Brooklyn Bridge" is pondering suicide. It's a very serious topic, and yes, many people find it cathartic to write about what they'd (to quote you) "want to do to themselves to end their suffering" rather than actually doing it. Maybe it takes a certain mindset to understand that. Something to think about.
On a personal note--Tiff, you need a break after all these poems stirring you so emotionally!!! In almost all your entries you say that you've cried :-( *hug* Love ya, Tiff.
Posted by: Karissa at March 2, 2005 9:27 PMI blame it on STRESS! When I get like that things start to stir me emotionally. It's all that I have left.
Posted by: Tiffany at March 2, 2005 10:06 PMI didn't interpret either poems the way you did! I have no idea how you thought that the poem "To Brooklyn Bridge" was about suicide, but I want to see it! I tried re-reading the poem again and again and I just haven't felt it! I think thats a great way to look at it, but I just don't see it .. lol And "World Trade Center" I thought was written so the man can show how much pride he has for the buildings. He started out hating it but he grew to love it and respect and have the upmost apprecaition for the buildings. But I can understand why you interpreted the poem the way that you did! I liked your ideas!!
Posted by: Gina at March 3, 2005 9:24 AMhi im leanne ilike the poem its true but sad
Posted by: leanne at November 23, 2005 5:17 AM