04 March 2010

Pen and Paper: Poem for Huey

Poem for Huey

Need
A panther in my belly
Paws heavy in my gut
No peace
Just claws
Tearing at my insides
Always wanting
Freedom

2 comments:

  1. At first, I thought the first line read like this:

    "(I) Need a panther in my belly"

    I was like...WHAT! But now i see that it reads more like this:

    "Need: (is) A panther in my belly..."

    I like the 'animalization' of something as basic and abstract as need. I say animalization as opposed to personification. Giving something intangible, something idealistic, animal-like qualities can be very...meaningful to how we look at said concept (ie need). The need being spoken of in this piece is freedom, liberty. A need that many take for granted and yet others are pained at the thought of it, the need of it.

    For some reason, "feet heavy in my gut" contrasts the animalization and i dont think i'm fond of it. I think paws or some other panther equivalent would be more consistent with the metaphor. #JustAthought

    Its amazing how less than 30 words can be so...full.

    One can also imagine the panther as being caged, confined. A wild animal who is used to coming and going as he pleases would indeed be frantic to gain that freedom again.

    I'm also reminded of some accounts of lycanthopy (aka were-animals). The wolf or other creature is caged, trapped in the human body until the moon or extreme emotion grants it what it desires most: freedom.

    So many things to say. Hmmm. I'll stop there. lol

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree. I think paws does work better

    ReplyDelete