Here, Bullet
If a body is what you want,
then here is bone and gristle and flesh.
Here is the clavicle-snapped wish,
the aorta’s opened valves, the leap
thought makes at the synaptic gap.
Here is the adrenaline rush you crave,
that inexorable flight, that insane puncture
into heat and blood. And I dare you to finish
what you’ve started. Because here, Bullet,
here is where I complete the word you bring
hissing through the air, here is where I moan
the barrel’s cold esophagus, triggering
my tongue’s explosives for the rifling I have
inside of me, each twist of the round
spun deeper, because here, Bullet,
here is where the world ends, every time.
Where or what do you think "Here" is, literally, in this poem--what do you think the speaker is talking about?
What do you make of the violent imagery that relates his body ("tongue's explosives," "rifling I have / inside of me") to weaponry?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
"Here, Bullet" by Brian Turner
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Here could mean "now." ex just take it now, here you go.
ReplyDeleteHe is in a war setting so the imagery might be things he has seen on the battlefield. Also he might feel that way inside.
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ReplyDeleteThis poem seems to be expressing a feeling of boldness and confidence. The author is aware that the bullet will be after him and it his main enemy. Instead of running or hiding the author looks straight at the bullet and calls it out. He is challenging the bullet, facing danger in the eye. The use of specific unique body parts also portrays an image of pain and hardship.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Brian turner's poem is meant to be either mad or painful. He used words such as "blood", "dare" and "triggering" which create a sense of sadness and tugs at the heart. The authors choice of diction in this poem emphasizes the heartbreaking truth of war through the expected violence.
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