Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Consent" is a poem by Howard Nemerov, published in his collection "The Collected Poems of Howard Nemerov" in 1977.

Explanation:

The poem explores the complex emotions and thoughts involved in the act of giving or withholding consent. The speaker initially considers the act of consent as a passive surrender, a yielding to the demands or expectations of others. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker begins to see consent as an active choice, a way of asserting one's own agency and power. The poem concludes with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, suggesting that the act of giving consent is never entirely straightforward or clear-cut.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of three stanzas, each with seven lines. The lines are predominantly written in iambic pentameter, although the meter is occasionally disrupted for emphasis.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and evocative imagery to explore the theme of consent. For example, the first stanza uses the image of a "ship into the wind" to convey the sense of being swept along by external forces, while the second stanza uses the image of a "dance" to convey the sense of active participation in the act of giving consent.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, as the speaker reflects on their own experiences and emotions.
• Diction: The language of the poem is relatively simple and straightforward, although there are occasional moments of elevated or poetic diction, such as the use of the word "arrogate" in the second stanza.

Conclusion:

"Consent" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the complex nature of giving or withholding consent. Through its use of vivid imagery and introspective tone, the poem encourages the reader to consider the nuances and complexities involved in this seemingly simple act.

Poem Snippet:

"to say no and yes, to assert and deny,

The flaw in the jewel, the flaw in the question."

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