My oversimpification of this poem is that its a microcosm of a relationship from when he finds her on the street, wooes her, they love each other, begin to fight, fights get really serious, they seperate and he goes through the mourning period.
the alphabet blocks -she's a poet. Most kids, their first toy is alphabet blocks...but she never moved on from them...she's still stacking, building and playing with words all these years later. Mirrors - I think he actually said "Full-length Mirrors"...which I take as a reference to getting older, a little less cocky...you no longer want to see all of your body at once. But of course, all art is subjective, and any analysis is part confession...but that's what I take from it.
well, i think the full length mirror comment is a reference to his other poem, kite, where he talks about standing in front of her full length mirror naked after the first night they made love. my theory is that 'nickel' is the end of the relationship that was just beginning in 'kite'. it's incredibly sad.
...hey Rives...my name is Joe...also known as Atticus Inch...i performed at the Black Pearl Poetry 2 Year Anniversery...i don't know if you remember me...still...you do great work man...
Thanks! I do have another problem. "I know that the hydrant on the corner of your memory and your diary is not only open it's 90 proof." I don't have any clues. Also the left handed bird thing. Thanks so much.
does anyone understand the alphabet blocks from your childhood never got a proper burial or the not standing next to folding mirrors? i don't get either one of those things...
what's with the nap? If someone would do almost a line by line analysis of this poem that would be awesome. For years my atm code was consider it because I wasn't (what?) I wish I got all of this poem.
And then in Compliment he calls her a sunflower growing in the courtyard of an old folks home. =] Maybe he just likes that type of metaphor for love poems.
