Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"Banking Potatoes" is a poem by American poet Yusef Komunyakaa. It was first published in 1992 and reflects on the themes of labor, identity, and the cycles of life. Explanation: The poem describes the speaker's reflections on the process of banking potatoes, which involves stacking them in mounds in a storage shed. The poem is marked by a sense of labor and the hard work that goes into farming and agriculture. The speaker describes the process of banking potatoes, and the sense of pride and accomplishment that it brings. He reflects on the ways in which the work that he and his fellow laborers do helps to sustain their community and provide for their families. Poetic Elements:
Conclusion: "Banking Potatoes" is a powerful and emotionally charged poem that reflects on the complexities of labor, identity, and the cycles of life. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and theme, the poem captures the sense of pride and accomplishment that characterizes the speaker's reflections on the process of banking potatoes, as well as the ways in which this work helps to sustain their community and provide for their families. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of free verse and the themes of labor, identity, and the cycles of life. Poem Snippet: " We do our job and make a record of it In the dirt. For the moment, we're unbeatable And know it, before moving on to the next mound. This is how we stack them up, a few potatoes at a time." Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY AUNT ELLA MAE by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE GOLDEN SHOVEL by TERRANCE HAYES LIZARDS AND SNAKES by ANTHONY HECHT THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE by LYN HEJINIAN CHILD ON THE MARSH by ANDREW HUDGINS MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS THE GLASS HAMMER by ANDREW HUDGINS INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL |
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