Original Poem：
Above the freeway, over the music,
we speak of the strategy of poems,
bleeding wives who ulcerate
our voices rhythming in the cut-heat
Portland stink from the Willamette River;
arteries of smog fixate this place
in each recording, music, music, on
Impulse
.
This little racist community has few friends;
thousands of deerslayers hum into Beaverton,
the one talk show driven out for their talk
as the liberals dig in to KGO out of San Francisco;
we troop toward the Lloyd Center for the ice-skating,
the colorette bloomered dream merchants on rented skates,
and the
Sunday Chronicle
near the big hotel.
The poets, man and wife, write in the dimming air,
their daughter in the toy rooms connecting them,
the typewriter tacking the nails and snaps of her gown.
This image of separation begins in adoption:
her mother adopted out in San Jose; her father
disowned, abandoned, torn out of the will; her name: Phoebe.
And the sun does shine on them for this visit
in squat pigeontoes, and this beach ball sings.</p>
Analysis and Interpretation
This evocative poem paints a vivid picture of life in a specific urban environment, blending imagery of place, family, and social tension. The poem opens with a scene “above the freeway, over the music,” suggesting a vantage point that overlooks both physical and cultural landscapes. The “strategy of poems” hints at the deliberate crafting of language and meaning amid the noise and chaos of the city.</p>
The poem’s tone is complex, mixing harsh realities with moments of tenderness. References to “bleeding wives who ulcerate / our voices rhythming in the cut-heat” evoke pain and struggle, while the “Portland stink from the Willamette River” and “arteries of smog” set a gritty, industrial backdrop. The city is alive but troubled, “fixated” by pollution and social issues.</p>
The poem also touches on themes of racism and social division, describing the community as “little” and “racist” with “few friends.” The mention of “thousands of deerslayers hum into Beaverton” and the political tension surrounding a talk show being driven out reflects a polarized social environment. Yet amidst this, there are moments of normalcy and leisure, such as ice-skating at the Lloyd Center and reading the Sunday Chronicle near a hotel.</p>
At the heart of the poem is a family dynamic: “The poets, man and wife,” who write together while their daughter connects them in the “toy rooms.” The poem’s emotional core is the image of separation and adoption, as the daughter Phoebe’s origins are marked by loss and abandonment—her mother adopted out, her father disowned. Despite this, the poem ends on a hopeful note with the sun shining on their visit, symbolizing warmth and connection even in difficult circumstances.</p>
Background and Author
This poem likely emerges from an urban American context, possibly Portland, Oregon, given the references to the Willamette River and local landmarks such as Beaverton and Lloyd Center. The author appears to be deeply engaged with social issues such as racism, family fragmentation, and cultural identity. The poem’s style is modernist, with fragmented images and a stream-of-consciousness feel that reflects the complexity of contemporary life.</p>
The poet’s focus on family, adoption, and social division suggests a personal connection to these themes, possibly drawing from their own experiences or observations. The use of specific local references grounds the poem in a real place, while universal themes of loss, connection, and hope resonate broadly.</p>
Educational Value and Learning Points
This poem offers rich material for students and children to explore several important concepts:</p>
<ul> <li><strong>Urban Environment and Social Issues:</strong> Students can learn about how poetry reflects social realities such as pollution, racism, and political tension.</li> <li><strong>Imagery and Symbolism:</strong> The poem uses vivid images (smog, ice-skating, typewriter sounds) and symbols (sunshine, beach ball) to convey complex emotions and ideas.</li> <li><strong>Family and Identity:</strong> The theme of adoption and family separation provides a sensitive entry point to discuss identity, belonging, and resilience.</li> <li><strong>Poetic Techniques:</strong> The poem’s rhythm, fragmented structure, and use of repetition (“music, music, on”) can be studied to understand modern poetry styles.</li> </ul>Practical Applications
In classroom settings, this poem can be used to:</p>
<ul> <li>Encourage creative writing inspired by personal or local experiences.</li> <li>Discuss social issues through literature, promoting empathy and awareness.</li> <li>Analyze poetic form and language to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking.</li> <li>Explore family dynamics and cultural identity in literature and real life.</li> </ul>
