Thursday, January 14, 2010

superman

square jaw
steely gaze
                of man
     
       as hands are drawn to hips
                 in fists
       resolved to perpendiculars
              of form
              of self
              to earth.

in flight
    in fight
    in face
   
             angles were his 
                      only angles

            all-spoony-for-lois
            aesthete
            
            so noble
            as to be alien
            to the auguring premises
            of flesh.

2 comments:

  1. You have used some great sound devices here, Aaron, and I really like the word play with 'angles' insinuating 'angels.'

    The line 'all-spoony-for-Lois' followed by 'aesthete' is a Doozy.

    Excellent work!

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  2. Hi Dad,

    You know, interestingly, I actually didn't intend to insinuate the word "angels" with the word "angles." I appreciate this feedback so much however, and am fascinated that that characteristic might have come across.

    In actuality I was simply intending to say that the angles about his
    frame--such as the square jaw--were the only "angles" he possessed. To explain, with my second use of the word, I meant "angles" such as they might pertain to a disingenuous--particularly a manipulative--person, as you might say they have a lot of "angles." With Superman, he is so pure, that the only "angles" he ever adopts, are simply those about his frame. I tried to sort of reenforce this sort of simple--if not elegant--virtuousness by using the same word twice, normally a practice that is discouraged in writing for its obvious redundancy. At the same time though, I also attempted to imbue the verses with hopefully a subtle depth by playing on a double-meaning: the angles of one's body as opposed to the angles of one's personality. Regarding the former Superman has many; regarding the latter, however, he has but one, which is, of course, "truth, justice and the American way."

    Thank you so much for this feedback; not least of all for your kind and flattering words. :)

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