Winter's Bone has left me wondering if any joy is to be had in them thar hills. The constant allusions to crank and its insidious hold on the Ozark rural population are troubling, to say the least. As a tribute to the novel's country folk, I composed a very poorly written ditty that embodies my feelings about the story's grim atmosphere thus far...
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me confusion.
Banish thought and
reason, for neither
provides warmth in
the cold Ozarks.
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me income.
Speed your poison
swiftly, on powdery
wings of bliss, that
I may know money.
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me misery.
Allow me passage
to my brighter past,
that I may wallow
in my present torture.
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me children.
Wipe clean the slate
of my mind, forsaking
inhibition and restraint,
embracing only need.
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me death.
Enrich violence in
my soul, until no
deed is too heinous
to encompass.
Oh crank, my crank!
Grant me release.
For sorrows countless
and life misused,
hasten my departure,
reality needs me not.
Ah well, I'm no poet, but this does accurately express my gloomy disposition reading this novel...
James
Hey James, I really liked your ditty. Give yourself more credit, its way better than what i could have came up with if I were to write a poem! I think you are pretty spot on with the emotions you get out of reading this novel. I think you did a great job of embodying such depressing situations into a poem.
ReplyDeleteJames, I found your poem a perfect way to look upon the first part of Winter's Bone. I thought that it was very witty and dead on. It took me back to Oh captain my captain and I thought your words had a nice flow to them. I too attempted a poem however yours does the story justice far better. Great job and like the above post states don't ever sell yourself short. :)
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI guess it is something about the depressingness of the story that caused us all to write poems. Or, maybe we needed a small break from critical analysis. Anyway I wrote a poem also. I like that you wrote about crank as it seems to be an on going theme in the story. It wouldn't be much of a story with out it I guess. I would have liked it better though. Your poem is easy to read and I enjoyed it. Considering how heavy the story and the subject are you brought a smile to my face with your diddy.
James,
ReplyDeleteI also experienced crank as a major theme in the novel. The characters seem to use it to avoid certain thoughts and confusion. I concur; one who uses crank is essentially wallowing in their present torture but I am not sure they have had a brighter past. It is possible they are trying to escape an unpleasant one. I am a little confused about the references to money and children. In fact, I would imagine most users blow all their money on the crank; unless they are making or selling it. I agree that most crank users are probably seeking release from a reality they feel has no need for them. Violence is definitely associated with crank throughout the novel. Great poem.
-Aaron