williams essay
The Poem, “Blackberries” (1992), by Yusef Komunyakaa is a retrospective look
In the Day of a life experienced by the author as a seller of blackberries when he was a
10 year old child. It is told from a first persons perspective so as to pronounce the level of
Intimacy to the narrative relative to the poet. In this essay, I’ll give a brief analysis of my
Thoughts on the poem and its effectiveness as an artistic literature.
In recounting the nostalgiac setting of summer, while working as a berry picker
And seller, the author attempts paint an image of the emotional and sensual complexities
laden through an average day on the streets: “Although I could smell old lime-covered History, at
ten I’d still hold out my hands and berries fell into them. Eating from one and filling a half gallon with
the other. “ (MLM , Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-148) .
Through his description in detailing the labor of picking berries and being challenged not
to eat them, he showcases a conflict that he’s clearly been faced with, in the face of his
duty. This conflict is later alluded to, from a more lustful point of view later in the piece.
When the author posit’s his disposition even further, he goes on to say: “I ate the
mythology & dreamt of pies & and cobbler, almost…” (MLM, Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-
148). It seems with this statement the author is implying that he is impoverished. When he
uses the memories of his poverty as a child in his descriptions, it gives the poem a very
melancholic tone; one of sympathy, even. Yet, still, in recounting these days of hardship,
he still finds the nostalgia of being with his dog and among nature’s elements. :
“Needful as forgiveness. My bird dog Spot. Eyed blue jays & thrashers. The mud frogs in rich blackness,
hid from daylight.” (MLM, Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-148) . To balance the conflict
with a longing to be in simpler times, with a
In the Day of a life experienced by the author as a seller of blackberries when he was a
10 year old child. It is told from a first persons perspective so as to pronounce the level of
Intimacy to the narrative relative to the poet. In this essay, I’ll give a brief analysis of my
Thoughts on the poem and its effectiveness as an artistic literature.
In recounting the nostalgiac setting of summer, while working as a berry picker
And seller, the author attempts paint an image of the emotional and sensual complexities
laden through an average day on the streets: “Although I could smell old lime-covered History, at
ten I’d still hold out my hands and berries fell into them. Eating from one and filling a half gallon with
the other. “ (MLM , Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-148) .
Through his description in detailing the labor of picking berries and being challenged not
to eat them, he showcases a conflict that he’s clearly been faced with, in the face of his
duty. This conflict is later alluded to, from a more lustful point of view later in the piece.
When the author posit’s his disposition even further, he goes on to say: “I ate the
mythology & dreamt of pies & and cobbler, almost…” (MLM, Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-
148). It seems with this statement the author is implying that he is impoverished. When he
uses the memories of his poverty as a child in his descriptions, it gives the poem a very
melancholic tone; one of sympathy, even. Yet, still, in recounting these days of hardship,
he still finds the nostalgia of being with his dog and among nature’s elements. :
“Needful as forgiveness. My bird dog Spot. Eyed blue jays & thrashers. The mud frogs in rich blackness,
hid from daylight.” (MLM, Komunyakaa, “Blackberries” PPG 147-148) . To balance the conflict
with a longing to be in simpler times, with a