I am supposed to give a literal explanation of this poem, but I am really confused by it. Your help will be much appreciated.
Snow & Ice by Quincy Troupe
ice sheets sweep this slick mirrored dark place
space as keys that turn in tight, trigger
pain of situations
where we move ever so slowly
so gently into time — traced agony
the bright turning of imagination
so slowly
grooved through revolving doors, opening up to enter
mountains where spirits walk voices, ever so slowly
swept by cold, breathing fire
as these elliptical moments of illusion
link fragile loves sunk deep in snows as footprints
the voice prints cold black gesticulations
bone bare voices
chewed skeletal choices
in fangs of piranha gales
spewing out slivers of raucous laughter
glinting bright as hard polished silver nails
So from that I am reading, a sheet of ice covers the ground, and perhaps someone is walking somewhere. This person maybe homeless an is awaiting death. The speaker is freezing from the cold outside.
Sorry, its hard for me to understand the literal and even the symbolic meaning of the poem. Im not sure if any of this is even close to being right
Hello again! Don't give up. It's a good idea to repost when you don't get a response for hours or days, but many of us are still reading posts when we can. If you look at your first post, you will find I just answered more.
Of course! I'd be happy to help you with the literal explanation of the poem "Snow & Ice" by Quincy Troupe.
In this poem, Troupe uses imagery and metaphors to create a vivid description of a cold and desolate environment. Let's break down the poem stanza by stanza:
"ice sheets sweep this slick mirrored dark place"
This line sets the scene, describing how the ground is covered in sheets of ice. The ice is reflective like a mirror, creating a dark and slippery environment.
"space as keys that turn in tight, trigger pain of situations"
Here, Troupe uses a metaphor to compare space to keys. It suggests that the limited space and constricted movement can lead to painful situations.
"where we move ever so slowly so gently into time - traced agony"
The speaker describes how they move slowly and gently, emphasizing the difficulty and pain of their movement. The phrase "time-traced agony" suggests that this agony is felt over a prolonged period.
"the bright turning of imagination so slowly grooved through revolving doors, opening up to enter mountains where spirits walk voices, ever so slowly"
This stanza is a bit more abstract. It seems to describe the slow turning of the imagination, as if exploring different possibilities. The mention of mountain and spirits walking voices adds an element of mystery and spiritual presence.
"swept by cold, breathing fire as these elliptical moments of illusion"
Here, the speaker contrasts the cold environment with the metaphorical fire of the breath. The moments described as "elliptical" suggest a sense of disorientation and confusion.
"link fragile loves sunk deep in snows as footprints the voice prints cold black gesticulations"
In this line, Troupe creates a connection between fragile love and footprints left in the snow. The phrase "voice prints" implies a communication or expression that is cold and lacking warmth.
"bone bare voices chewed skeletal choices in fangs of piranha gales spewing out slivers of raucous laughter glinting bright as hard polished silver nails"
Here, Troupe uses vivid imagery to describe the harshness and aggression of the environment. The "bone bare voices" and "skeletal choices" suggest a sense of vulnerability and exposure. The reference to "piranha gales" and "slivers of raucous laughter" creates a sense of danger and unpredictability.
Based on the imagery and metaphors used in the poem, it seems to convey a sense of isolation, struggle, and harsh conditions. The speaker navigates through a cold and treacherous environment, possibly representing a larger metaphorical journey or struggle.
Remember, poetry is open to interpretation, so there may be various ways to understand the poem. It's important to analyze the imagery, metaphors, and language used to construct your understanding. I hope this explanation helps you in your analysis of "Snow & Ice"!