The Theme of Motherhood in Carol Gorejena Poetry: a Poetic Analysis

Poetry is an exceptionally delicate form of writing which requires going in-depth knowledge of the basics that form good poems. The theme that the author has chosen for her poems is motherhood. To give a good poetry analysis, it is always useful to know the background of the author which makes it easier to relate with poems. In this case, there are six poems that have been written by this lovely young woman called Carol Gorejena who is a single mum with two children juggling life whilst at college. The motherhood theme to her, would most likely be a well-known practiced theme as she writes about her experiences as a mother.

The first poem in this poetry analysis essay is titled “My Song”. This poem is a free verse, the author picked this specific form because writing as a free verse and with the message that she has in the poem, gives it a really good flow. The poem is about her struggle of a being a mum and how exhausting everything can be. The use of I’s at the beginning of every sentence conveys her message really well, this technique sets the mood of expressing her feelings. There is also that hidden question of whether this mum is just a regular mum with her every day struggles or this is a single mum who is coping with life. Above all her struggles she is also grateful for these little bundles of joy and praises herself for her achievements with the use of the word ‘Super Mother’ However, the beauty of this poem is that there is no regular meter or rhythm which really works well as it comes out so natural.

The poem ‘Raising little kings and queens’ is in a free verse form, the author writes about the little queen and king she is raising and links theme of afternoon tea with royalty as afternoon tea derived from the royals. Mother poems are often about the super powers of mothers that come with the gratitude of all the hard work mothers do. The author’s good use of literary techniques is noticeable in this poem, for example ‘a mist of happiness and sadness’ creates an imagery feel to how the mother goes through different emotions.

The author has used a blackout poem for one of her selection of poems Blackout Poetry ‘The Distraught Mother’, alternately entitled 'Blackout Poetry Newspaper', is a sample of an experimental type of poem derived from both fictional and non-functional sources of annotation. Suggesting and inspiring pieces can be created as a result of modifying a text; blackout poems can be both unique in form and emotion. There is a strong message from this poem as the author describes the distraught mother who is going through an emotional experience, but is consoled with the lovely gesture of a card and some flowers. The author’s choice of words in this piece predicts how this mother despite going through her pain she is still the ground of the family and can overcome any situations. The author chose a rhyming couplet with her poem ‘The queen and the mother’. The form of the couplet is frequent in charming, as it offers a varied chance to produce a surprising impact, whether it is for sarcasm or dramatic rest, for its briefness, shortness and natural symmetry. From the title itself the author shows how mothers are queens, the poem itself is humorous in its own unique way. There are a lot of comparisons of how a mother can be tough but yet soft, this is mostly common with mother’s just trying to finding the balance of motherhood. The stanza which talks about her ‘cunning car’ is absolute genius. This goes to show how mothers are have this sense of achievement but yet they do not need any fuel to what they do but just run on the chance of life. This poem rhymes at the end of each stanza, although the author’s choice of words are not too common which gives it a sense of quirkiness to this particular poem but also has a beautiful message of this strong mother.

As the theme mothers progresses the mother grows old which changes the tone of her poem, she has changed from this overworked young mother to this old woman that is celebrating her children. There is some use of similes for instance when the author writes ‘memories sweet like honey’ which is a good effect. The constant use of punctuations throughout the whole poem in every stanza could possibly mean that being a mother has its endless qualities and the list goes on. The mother has a sense of pride like every mother should and she has badges to show for it. The mixture of sadness with happiness shows some fulfillment of this old mother and shows that all her efforts were worth it.

On her last poem which is an Epistolary poem that are literally read as a letter from the Latin epistle to 'Letter”. They can be intimate, informal or formal and measured as poems of direct speech. This is the author’s last poem which carries a strong message to her child, this is every mothers wish to encourage their children to avoid fear but always remember that when in doubt, mum is there to assure them.

The author has shown through with her literally techniques, and her theme of motherhood has been illustrated to a good standard. The use of different forms of poems has been acknowledged and have been placed according to the messages held in them. This poetry analysis essay highlights most of the literally devices used which allows the reader to visualise and feel the emotions that are in the poems.

References

1. Poets.org. (2019). Epistle: Poetic Form | Academy of American Poets. [online] Available at: https://poets.org/text/epistle-poetic-form [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].
2. Study.com. (2019). Rhyming Couplets: Definition, Examples & Effect - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com. [online] Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/rhyming-couplets-definition-examples-effect.html [Accessed 14 Jun. 2019].
3. Upon the Hearth. (2019). ‘Blackout Poetry’ – Analysis and Inspiration:. [online] Available at: https://uponthehearth.wordpress.com/2017/10/10/blackout-poetry-analysis-and-inspiration/ [Accessed 12 Jun. 2019].