|
The theme of Sheila Barrera
This poem has an interesting background. It is the firstever poem written by the poetess; and that too at the age of 14.
Now while attempting an objective criticism of the poem let us consider if the absence of subjective feedback
(of its having been written at the age of 14) causes any hindrance in perceiving finer nuances of the piece in all its totality.
The 'persona' of the poem is at a stage when she can no more hide in the pine tree or sit in the monkey fort. Now she can
not; because she is 'too old'.Hence the basic theme of the poem is about growing-up. Moving up from one stage in life to the
other. Times have changed from childhood to adolescence. So have the images - from monkey fort to cafeteria.One needs no
subjective feedback to reach this impression.
The poem exhibits a structurally balanced format. The first
and second stanzas stand in perfect contrast to each other. One has to juxtapose 'I used to hide' with 'Now I can't' to get
an idea of the dilemma that the poetess wants to portray. It is a dilemma of losing the sense of one's safety and identity.
This is why there is marked absence of 'feel safe and big' in the latter phase of the poem's imagery.
|
|
 |
|
|
Another significant aspect of the poem lies in its deft handling of irony. One can not just ignore the ironical undertone
of "They say I am too old" while apperciating merits of the poem. Rather it seems to epitomise the very theme. It
points at the so called glory of one's growing up that deprives one of the pleasure of hiding in the pines. It instantly makes
us aware that growing big does not necessarily lead to feeling big. The paradox of the situation faces a satirical treatment
when the persona sits in the cafeteria eating bananas.
The pine tree stands as a metaphor for pleasures that
have been snatched away. It has been a big question mark that the poetess intends to pose before us. The pine tree remains
an enigma unresolved, unanswered. For the motive of the adolescent mind here is not to seek answers but to highlight the question
- why "I can 't ?"
And it is here that the true mission of poetry is pursued. For the objective
of poetry has never been to to mould life, but to reflect glimpses of life as it is.Life itself is a big question mark. So
there is nothing unusual if poetry begins and ends with questions only. And Sheila's poem performs precisely that. It leaves
us wondering - Do we really grow up?
- Editor
|
|
