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COMPLAINT AND PETITION, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

"Complaint and Petition" by Hayden Carruth is a bold and direct address to a figure of authority, specifically the President, expressing deep dissatisfaction and concern over the leadership and direction taken by this individual in power. Written in a plain-style Yankee quatrain, the poem is both a personal and collective appeal for accountability, change, and the cessation of actions deemed harmful by the speaker and, by extension, the represented populace.

Carruth opts for a straightforward and unembellished mode of communication, stating from the outset his lack of familiarity with the "exalted language of power." This choice emphasizes the gap between the everyday citizen and those in positions of high authority, suggesting that the concerns of the common people are grounded in a different reality from that of their leaders. The poet's self-professed ignorance of the language of power is also presented as a point of pride, a marker of authenticity and integrity in contrast to the corruption and manipulation he attributes to the President.

The core of the poem is a grievance against the President's conduct, which the speaker characterizes as a betrayal of legal and ethical standards, and a disregard for the will of the people. Carruth accuses the President of acting like a "tin-pot tyrant," a stark and damning comparison that places the leader on par with despots ruling over "benighted, inglorious corners of the earth." Such a comparison serves to universalize the critique, positioning the President's actions as part of a broader historical pattern of tyrannical behavior.

Central to the poem's critique is the accusation that the President is "deviously and corruptly manipulating events in order to create war." This is perhaps the most serious charge laid out in the poem, implicating the leader in the pursuit of violence and destruction for personal or political ends. The mention of a desire to "murder millions" to "appease your fury" is particularly striking, casting the President's motivations in a deeply negative light, driven by rage rather than reason or the public good.

Carruth does not speak only for himself but claims to represent a broader constituency of "the people," including "artists, artisans, builders, makers," and especially "poets." This collective voice asserts a moral and ethical stance against the agenda of violence and tyranny, demanding that the President "desist, resign," and retreat into "your own shame." The poem concludes with a stark warning about the potential consequences of continuing down the path of "evil," suggesting that it could lead to the destruction of everything valuable, including the very capacity for love in the world.

"Complaint and Petition" is a powerful poetic statement that leverages the tradition of direct political address to voice dissent and call for accountability. Through its clear and forceful language, the poem articulates a deep concern for the direction of leadership and the impact of political decisions on human lives and values. Carruth's work stands as a testament to the role of poetry and art in engaging with and challenging the exercise of power.

POEM TEXT: https://inthesetimes.com/article/poets-against-the-war


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