Well, this is a wonderful poem. It reminds me of the geckos we have here in Cambodia on nearly every wall, waiting in ambush at night for bugs drawn by the lights. And you hear, just as you expect, "Gecko, gecko!" until you think of the Khmer word for this animal, Tuk-Gai. Then you could swear that they weren't saying "gecko" at all, but "Tuk-Gai! Tuk-Gai!" Thanks for the poem. It is wonderfully accomplished.
John Christopher Brown replied on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 12:40am
I love this poem. Too often one reads poems of observation that remain disconnected from the observer or speaker. I love how Ronci has engaged with the cricket: "...whatever it is / I know it's the truth. No one could go on / so relentlessly if it wasn’t." And that ending! "Like you I disappear all day." I don't care what the chatter is in poetry out there, I love the "I" in a poem.
Joy Gaines-Friedler replied on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 06:58am
I've had the privilege of being taught literary theory by Dr. Ronci. He's not only an awesome poet, but an awesome professor as well. My favorite element of this poem is how the last line concludes the speaker's connection to the cricket. This poem brings about the importance of listening, a very important aspect of the senses.
Elbert Williams replied on Mon, 09/05/2011 - 11:52am
Well, this is a wonderful poem. It reminds me of the geckos we have here in Cambodia on nearly every wall, waiting in ambush at night for bugs drawn by the lights. And you hear, just as you expect, "Gecko, gecko!" until you think of the Khmer word for this animal, Tuk-Gai. Then you could swear that they weren't saying "gecko" at all, but "Tuk-Gai! Tuk-Gai!" Thanks for the poem. It is wonderfully accomplished.
I will be listening to sounds today.
I love this poem. Too often one reads poems of observation that remain disconnected from the observer or speaker. I love how Ronci has engaged with the cricket: "...whatever it is / I know it's the truth. No one could go on / so relentlessly if it wasn’t." And that ending! "Like you I disappear all day." I don't care what the chatter is in poetry out there, I love the "I" in a poem.
The first four and a half lines alone are an adequate meal. The rest of the poem is dessert.
What a fine, moving poem. It will enrich conversations with my resident cicadas. Thank you.
This poem makes listening for sounds more intense and those sounds more definable.
I've had the privilege of being taught literary theory by Dr. Ronci. He's not only an awesome poet, but an awesome professor as well. My favorite element of this poem is how the last line concludes the speaker's connection to the cricket. This poem brings about the importance of listening, a very important aspect of the senses.
The author captures layered moments and emotions with a simplicity that cuts to the bone.