Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Describe Yourself in Three Words or Less" by Rita Dove is a deeply introspective and evocative poem that challenges the simplicity of self-description. Dove uses this poem to explore the complexities of identity and the internal contradictions that define us as individuals.

The poem begins with a negation of simplicity and superficiality in self-assessment: "I’m not the kind of person who praises / openly, or for profit; I’m not the kind / who will steal a scene unless / I’ve designed it." This opening sets the tone for a poem that delves into the nuances of personality that cannot be easily categorized or superficially understood. Dove asserts that she is not driven by external validation nor does she engage in acts for mere spectacle, unless it is part of her own creation.

Continuing, Dove describes herself with an array of paradoxical traits: "I’m not a kind at all, / in fact: I’m itchy and pug-willed, / gnarled and wrong-headed, / never amorous but possessing / a wild, thatched soul." These descriptions paint a picture of a fiercely independent and somewhat contrarian nature, juxtaposed with a "wild, thatched soul" suggesting a deep, perhaps unruly, inner life. These traits reflect a complex character that defies simple categorization or description.

The metaphor of setting boats to sea each night captures the essence of releasing one's thoughts, creations, or efforts into the world without control over their fate: "Each night I set my boats to sea / and leave them to their bawdy business." The outcomes, whether "maddened, moon-rinsed, / or dock in the morning / scuffed and chastened" symbolize the acceptance of the unpredictability of life and the consequences of one's actions or creations.

The stanza that follows, "You are mine, I say to the twice-dunked cruller / before I eat it. Then I sing / to the bright-beaked bird outside," shifts to a more whimsical tone, showing a moment of personal indulgence and a connection to the natural world. This whimsy underscores the poem’s theme of the multifaceted nature of self. Dove sings to both the mundane and the beautiful, indicating an appreciation of life in its various forms.

The poem concludes on a note of forgetfulness and impermanence: "then I will stop, and forget the singing. / (See? I have already forgotten you.)" This ending highlights the transient nature of memory and perhaps the fleeting connections between self and others. It suggests that while the self can be composed of enduring traits, it is also subject to change and the passage of time.

Overall, "Describe Yourself in Three Words or Less" by Rita Dove is a meditation on the complexity of self-identity, capturing the contradictions, changes, and depth that define human existence. Dove masterfully uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey themes of introspection, independence, and the ephemeral nature of life’s experiences.

POEM TEXT: https://persimmontree.org/winter-2012/twelve-poems/

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