I read an utterly interesting
scientific verification
that us humans
are the only beings on earth
that cry.
And I felt proud that
only our own introversion carries
such effusive solicitous glands.
I say - an assumption -
if I were a little tree with lemon buds
and my flower thickened into a lemon
and a hot air, thirsty
for something juicy
wrung the branch's throat
and stole the lemon
cut it in half
with the little theft's innocent
pocket knife
squeezed it forcibly
dripping the juices
in the mouth of its burnt
wide open puff
and a tang of stinging droplets
sprung unintentionally
into your distant eye
- a wish can spring
as far out as you want -
perhaps - an assumption -
your lacrimal glands
would welcome it.
-------------------------------
Personal notes:
This poem was published as part of the collection 'Greenhouse grass' (2005).
The poem is addressed to an unidentified person who perhaps does not share the poet's sensitivities, vulnerability and compassion - or even passion (love). Dimoula wishes that this person experienced the same intensity of emotions and thoughts that can lead someone to tears.
The poem is full of images that hint to violence and pain - tears, wringing of a throat, squeezing, acidic droplets, knife, thirst, burning. The poet's choice of inducing tears through the stinging droplets of a lemon is very indicative of the intensity of this poem.The poem's images emphasise the poet's internal ('introversion') struggle with her emotions and thoughts, and her wish that these were acknowledged by the people close to her - perhaps her husband.
The centrality of pain and emotion in this poem brings to mind Frida Kahlo's work.
scientific verification
that us humans
are the only beings on earth
that cry.
And I felt proud that
only our own introversion carries
such effusive solicitous glands.
I say - an assumption -
if I were a little tree with lemon buds
and my flower thickened into a lemon
and a hot air, thirsty
for something juicy
wrung the branch's throat
and stole the lemon
cut it in half
with the little theft's innocent
pocket knife
squeezed it forcibly
dripping the juices
in the mouth of its burnt
wide open puff
and a tang of stinging droplets
sprung unintentionally
into your distant eye
- a wish can spring
as far out as you want -
perhaps - an assumption -
your lacrimal glands
would welcome it.
-------------------------------
Personal notes:
This poem was published as part of the collection 'Greenhouse grass' (2005).
The poem is addressed to an unidentified person who perhaps does not share the poet's sensitivities, vulnerability and compassion - or even passion (love). Dimoula wishes that this person experienced the same intensity of emotions and thoughts that can lead someone to tears.
The poem is full of images that hint to violence and pain - tears, wringing of a throat, squeezing, acidic droplets, knife, thirst, burning. The poet's choice of inducing tears through the stinging droplets of a lemon is very indicative of the intensity of this poem.The poem's images emphasise the poet's internal ('introversion') struggle with her emotions and thoughts, and her wish that these were acknowledged by the people close to her - perhaps her husband.
The centrality of pain and emotion in this poem brings to mind Frida Kahlo's work.
Dear George,
ReplyDeletePrior to reading your notes I read the poem as a little playful, or tongue-in-cheek rather than as sad. I think I interpreted it as such because while lemons are sour they're also often termed in a teasing fashion, in English anyway. Such as: "sour-puss", there's the game "lemons" where as children you smile at random people and if they smile back they're sweet and if they don't they're lemons. There's also the term "lemons" for dodgy second hand cars. Though I am not sure if that translates to Greek!
That's why lemon's I've conceptualised lemons as a fun thing. So I read this poem as a tease... kind of like a little revenge game as Kiki has analogised herself as the tree to give a sour burn to the lemon-robber. And I thought she was a little satisfied at the end, in a karma like way - the person that stole the lemon shed a little tear.
So was really interesting to read your notes afterwards and find a very different meaning drawn from this poem.