Poetry Analysis #2

"Poem" by William Carlos Williams
Pg. 340-341 # 291
Devices Used: Structure and Imagery





The "Poem" by William Carlos Williams draws parallels between simple, inane actions, and treacherous journeys, with tentative stanza structure and gentle imagery, to create the illusion of a cat cautiously and wobbly making its way over a jamcloset and into a immensely deep and empty flowerpot. The halting structure of the "Poem" contributes to the cat's air of caution, by breaking up lines every few words; as "carefully/then the hind/stepped down//into the pit". The modest imagery, "climbed over/the top of/the jamcloset" and "into the pit/of the empty/flowerpot", subtly add to the struggle of the cat, as in reality, it would be easy for the cat to step into the flowerpot. Williams also creates the image of that cat itself acting hesitantly, by over exaggerating the slow movements of the cat, such as with "first the right/frontfoot//carefully/then the hind". Overall the timid effect created, contributes to the message conveyed of small actions being great obstacles and meaning to others.

I find the "Poem" by William Carlos Williams quirky and a small wonder. My personal interpretation of the piece is that sometimes you may see someone doing something mundane or of little consequence, however to them, that action may be difficult or important to them.

Well, and I love cats.