Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Carol Frost's poem "Argument" presents a chilling and detailed portrayal of a terrorist meticulously preparing a bomb. The poem's stark imagery and methodical descriptions provide a disturbing glimpse into the mind and actions of someone driven by a perverse sense of purpose. Through this unsettling narrative, the poem explores themes of violence, morality, and the disconcerting clarity with which the terrorist executes his plan.

The poem opens with a vivid and unsettling image: "Here is the cold, strict cell of the terrorist. / He is sorting through pieces of metal." The coldness and strictness of the cell reflect the emotional detachment and rigid discipline of the terrorist. The act of sorting metal pieces suggests a meticulous and calculated approach, setting the tone for the methodical violence that follows.

In front of the terrorist are the components of a bomb: "a pipe, wires, detonator, and a clock: premises to follow through to the end." This list of materials emphasizes the practical and systematic nature of his task. The use of the word "premises" hints at a logical progression, as if assembling a bomb were a rational argument he is constructing.

The poem introduces an element of human vulnerability with the sound from upstairs: "If from an open bedroom door upstairs a whimper or a sigh comes, he listens until silence develops again." This moment of listening to a whimper or sigh adds a layer of eerie normalcy, contrasting the monstrous act being prepared with the mundane sounds of life. The return to silence signifies the terrorist’s ability to compartmentalize and focus on his deadly mission.

As he continues his work, the poem juxtaposes violent precision with delicate imagery: "Angels elbowing each other off the head of a pin are not more violently correct, / nor more delicate, as he connects each part." This comparison to angels elbowing each other off a pinhead evokes a sense of meticulous and almost graceful execution of violence, blending beauty with brutality.

The poem delves into the terrorist's mindset: "thinking, perhaps, of how the entrails and heart / are the House his declarations will be made in." This line suggests that the terrorist views the physical destruction of his victims as a form of communication, a grotesque declaration housed within the human body.

The narrative becomes more personal and accusatory: "This is what I meant, what I meant all along, you idiots, he says with his careful hands. / Why can't you understand / right and wrong aren't wired to the same clock?" Here, the terrorist's voice emerges, filled with frustration and conviction. He believes his actions are justified, and he scorns others for not comprehending his twisted logic.

The poem concludes with a sense of finality and impending doom: "Then he sets the timer and lays the bomb in its cardboard / tomb, / seals it, his saliva on the stamps, and sends it to me, to you." The imagery of the "cardboard tomb" and the act of sealing the package with his saliva adds a personal and intimate touch to the violence, making the threat feel immediate and direct.

The final lines underscore the inevitability of the act: "No chance to demur or turn leftist or wear a new swastika. / Not when he's finished and turned off the lamp." These lines highlight the sense of inescapability and the terrorist's complete control over the situation. The turning off of the lamp symbolizes the end of his preparation and the commencement of the awaiting destruction.

"Argument" by Carol Frost is a stark and unsettling exploration of the mind and actions of a terrorist. Through its detailed imagery and chilling narrative, the poem delves into the themes of violence, morality, and the disturbing clarity with which such acts are executed. Frost's portrayal forces readers to confront the terrifying precision and conviction behind acts of terror, leaving a lasting impact on their understanding of violence and its justifications.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pure/GTWHVgjS-e4C?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=THE%20ARGUMENT#f=false

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