SENSES

 

Seagull, Seagull! Flying high

Have you seen her grey-blue eye?

Have you felt that genius look?

Like a Lynmouth splashing brook

 

Seagull,Seagull! Flying low

Have you heard her squawking by the Taw?

Have you tasted Devon pasty,

Thatcher cider or a pint of shandy

 

Seagull,Seagull! Wailing loud

Please, don’t wake me tonight

I am having a weary dream

Chirp a bit, go to Instow, and have an ice cream

 

Seagull, Seagull! Flying solo

Was your pride hurt!

Oh, come on! Bright is tomorrow

Clap your wings through a Barnstaple balmy wind

Grab, flap, and squawk, you’re free, do anything!

 

Poem by: Fazli Rrezja

(Summer 2019, Barnstaple, England)   

 

  

====================================== 

 A STRUCTURED CRITIQUE FOCUSING ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THE POEM SENSES BY FAZLI RREZJA: 

 1. Title and Theme 

• Title: The title Senses is highly fitting, as the poem immerses the reader in a sensory experience. The senses of sight, sound, taste, and touch are all evoked through the speaker's interaction with the seagull and the coastal landscape. 

•Theme: The poem explores the idea of freedom, particularly through the figure of the seagull, who is depicted as free and unburdened. The speaker, in contrast, hints at weariness or longing for a simpler existence. There's a dynamic interplay between the human world and the bird’s world, offering reflections on nature and a subtle yearning for liberation. 

 2. Structure and Form

•The poem is written in free verse with no fixed rhyme or meter, allowing the speaker to engage in a fluid conversation with the seagull. This open structure works well for the tone and content of the poem, which is playful and spontaneous. 

•The repetition of "Seagull, Seagull!" creates a rhythmic quality that reinforces the relationship between the speaker and the bird, while also giving the poem a sense of chanting or a call to attention. 

•Suggestions: The structure works overall, though at times the pace feels slightly uneven. For example, the shift from playful inquiry to introspective reflection in "Please, don’t wake me tonight" feels abrupt. A smoother transition could improve the flow of the poem. 

 3. Language and Style 

•Tone: The tone is casual, friendly, and conversational. The speaker engages directly with the seagull, using direct address ("Seagull, Seagull!") and asking questions that seem both curious and affectionate. 

•Language Choices: The language is simple yet vivid. There is a sense of ease in how the speaker moves from one sensory experience to the next. Phrases like "grey-blue eye," "squawking by the Taw," and "a pint of shandy" vividly capture the essence of the coastal setting. 

4. Imagery and Sensory Detail 

•The poem excels in sensory imagery, vividly evoking the environment of Lynmouth and its surroundings: 

Sight: The description of the seagull’s “grey-blue eye” and the idea of it flying high or low creates a strong visual presence for the bird. 

Sound: The seagull’s “wailing loud” and “squawking by the Taw” anchor the poem in sound, enhancing the liveliness of the seagull’s presence. 

Taste: References to “Devon pasty,” “Thatcher cider,” and a “pint of shandy” ground the poem in the tastes of the region, adding to the authenticity and sense of place. 

Touch: The line “Clap your wings through a Barnstaple balmy wind” evokes a tactile feeling, offering a sensory connection to the air and environment the seagull inhabits. 

5. Themes and Meaning 

•Freedom vs. Weariness: The poem contrasts the seagull’s carefree existence with the speaker’s weary tone in parts of the poem. The line “Please, don’t wake me tonight” suggests a moment of introspection or fatigue, which stands in stark contrast to the seagull's wild, unencumbered energy. 

•Connection with Nature: The speaker seems to view the seagull almost as a kindred spirit, asking it about its actions and emotions. This anthropomorphizing of the bird, such as asking about its pride or emotions, invites the reader to consider the seagull's world through a human lens. 

•Reflection on Human Experience: The poem captures a certain emotional complexity beneath the playful surface. There is a gentle longing in the speaker's words—a wish to be as free as the seagull, to let go of life's worries and to embrace a simpler, more liberated existence. 

 6. Strengths

•Vivid Sensory Experience: The poem shines in its sensory exploration of place, making the coastal environment feel immediate and tangible. Through sight, sound, and taste, the reader can almost experience the locations and emotions the speaker encounters. 

•Tone and Playfulness: The casual, friendly tone creates a lighthearted atmosphere that draws the reader in. The playful interaction between the speaker and the seagull feels both humorous and endearing. 

•Effective Use of Repetition: The repeated refrain "Seagull, Seagull!" creates rhythm and draws attention to the key subject of the poem, reinforcing the connection between the two characters. 

7. Conclusion

 'Senses' by Fazli Rrezja is a vibrant, playful poem that effectively captures the sensory details of the coastal environment and the free-spirited nature of the seagull. The poem's strong imagery, colloquial tone, and reflective moments invite readers to consider their connection to nature and the idea of freedom.