Galway Kinnell Analysis

Galway Kinnell wrote this poem in such a way that certain musical qualities are very prevalent. These techniques he employs give the poem rhythm and connect it in a special way. Through Galway’s use of consonance, rhythm of syllables, and lines without conjunctions make this poem come alive, giving it an attractive and appealing musical quality. As the poem begins, Kinnell begins by using consonance, a technique that is found in music as well as literature. This is found in the first line by his using two words that both start with the letter “L,” love and late. By using this technique, he is creating a common feel between the lines of the poem, helping the reader to feel the same way throughout. This is reminiscent of music because it can be compared to a chorus of a song. When the chorus is repeated, the listener feels the connection between the verses. This repetition is like the glue that holds the entire piece of poetry together. Other examples of consonance are found later in the poem, like “strength” and “squinch” and “splurge.” All
In many parts of his poem he strings lines together without using conjunctions. This is important because it makes the poem that much less cumbersome not having to read those conjunctions. For example, this line reads much smoother and is much easier to speak without conjunctions: “and as I stand among them/lifting the stalks to my mouth, the ripest berries/fall almost unbidden to my tongue, as words sometimes do.” This line flows much more smoothly without the conjunctions than it would if they were added in. This, once again, shows the reader how the words can just roll off the tongue, which is exactly what Kinnell is trying to say. Therefore, Kinnell’s use of rhythm, consonance, and his lack of conjunctions all make this poem a perfect example of how words can simply come to a person, like the blackberries he so carefully plucks off the