Poem Analysis and Response to "Something for the Trade" by Hayden Carruth

Award winning author Hayden Carruth has written many books. They include poetry, novels, criticism and so forth. His poem "Something for the Trade" treads a thin line between poetic prose and a simple complaint shared with his peers.

The poem is hardly recognizable as poetry. There are o defined stanzas or rhyming verses. You must dig into the vocabulary and rhythm to catch hold of the poetic intent.

Carruth begins the poem with a wink and a nod. "Out there:" are the first words. "Out there:" means the real world. Where all the normal people operate. He then proceeds to tear into his contemporaries about a minimal issue that has probably kept him awake at night, the sound a phone call makes when it is completed.

In the real world, the sound is a faint click. In movies and television shows it becomes desperate or violent, ending with the dial tone beeping in the listener's ear. Carruth is dismayed by his fellow writer's inability to accurately observe this simple fact of life. In his words the "irreverence for the simple truth that should sustain us all."

Techniques Used to Shape a Reader's Response

There is a certain level of comfort in the typical techniques of poetry. Simple lines responding and rhyming with each other have created centuries of marvelous poems. Breaking from the tradition means more attention is necessary for vocabulary and the rhythm of the words.

"Something for the Trade" could be a simple email forwarded to Carruth's writer friends. It is in his tone and word choices that make the poem an effective and entertaining read. Sometimes you have to be told that something is a poem before you figure out what is poetic about it.

Vocabulary

Carruth's vocabulary choice adds drama and gives the reader the same exasperated feeling that he has felt over his problem. The frustration is evident, and it is almost comical that he feels so strong about something that, in the grand scheme of things, means nothing. It does give insight into the mind of a writer though. At least the writer's who pay attention.

Rhyme, Rhythm and Sound

Nothing in this poem rhymes. The rhythm is smooth and conversational. The immediate tone is of an informal note. There is nothing grand or wonderful, just the natural rhythm of speech. Line by line, the poem is actually quite forgettable. Typical poems include at least one, but often several lines of instantly memorable dialogue.

Not here. "Something for the Trade" is as forgettable as the conversation you had with the parking attendant this morning. You remember what the conversation was about, the specifics just weren't that important.

Metaphor and Imagery

Carruth adds minimal metaphor. "The great silence." That short sentence is the lone step outside of the tangible world. It also serves as the biggest support of his argument. The silence is this outrageous, yet writers fail to observe it time and again. He draws on his irritation, creating a lonely image of a man sitting at a lonely desk frustratingly penning an open note to anyone who will listen, knowing full well who should be listening.

The poem is not about the sound a phone call makes when it is terminated, it is about the man behind it whose consternation makes him take to the written word as the first shot in a war that he alone is concerned with.

Personal Poetic Response

There are a few ways to respond to Hayden Carruth's poem, "Something for the Trade". One is to agree with him. Of course writers should have a firm grasp on the simple truth of life; it is part of the job. Another way is to impassively disagree with him. Anything that can add drama and life to a story can't be an altogether bad thing. Many writers take liberties with real life all of the time. This is a minor infraction in an industry where gigantic plot holes can exist in published work.

Either way, the poem will begin from the personal opinion of the writer. Poetry, more than any other writing, can come directly from the writer and not rely on outside sources or objective opinions.

My personal opinion is, I agree with him but does it really matter? After I got over my indifference, thinking about the issue and eventually siding with Mr. Carruth, I would sit down to spout my righteous indignation about the lack of observant thought in the world. Think of all the movies, television shows, and novels that have completely trashed rational thought and the most common ideas that we as a society believe.

"Something for the Trade" is a call to arms for any writer who is serious about their craft. There should be nothing short of righteous indignation.