ANALYSIS of DUALITY, a Max Vorst poem

 

By Nwafor Oji Awala

“DUALITY

inverted personalities at the core,

dumbfounded by sheer audacity

layers of colours vibrant and dull

spread like a carpet over a floor

we searched a cure our voices a mingled cacophony

we spoke hollow words, that echoed in unitym

isunderstandings accompanied us

as unwanted baggage on our back

a solution emerged like approaching doom

like a forthcoming event of uncanny nature

cloaked in fearsome inability

will our thoughts than fuse like sugar in tea

or was it ever fate,

unknown why but undeniable, unescapable

solidified emotions and silent thoughts

fear speaks to us, with thundering voice

then silence and fading lights

a blanket of black slowly falling

fearsome in its gruesome identity

with hands colder than ice”

 

© Max Vorst

 

THEME: "ANALYSIS of DUALITY" centers on the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, feelings, and the duality of the self.  The poem explores the dichotomy between colorful and uninteresting facets of life, considering miscommunications and the endeavor to maintain unity in the face of disorder.  The subject matter contains themes of anxiety, emotional conflict, and the yearning for connection, implying that the journey towards knowing oneself and others is filled with problems and uncertainty.

 

LANGUAGE: In order to portray the dual essence of existence, the poem uses rich and evocative word choice and contrasted imagery, such as "vibrant and dull," "fearsome inability," and "blanket of black."  Phrases like "hollow words" and "mangled cacophony" create a feeling of emotional dissonance and uncertainty.

 

LITERARY DEVICES INCLUDE:

Metaphor - The comparison of misunderstandings to "unwanted baggage" illustrates the emotional weight carried in relationships.

Imagery - Vivid descriptions, such as “a blanket of black slowly falling,” create a strong visual impact, enhancing the theme of fear and despair.

Personification - Fear is described as speaking with a "thundering voice," giving it an active, oppressive presence.

 

SOUND AND RHYTHM: The poem is free-flowing and reflective in part because it does not follow a rigid syllabic structure. The poem's concept of duality is reflected in the sensation of unpredictability created by the rhythm's variation with lines of varying length. The poem's energy and emotional intensity are maintained by the use of enjambment, which is the technique where a sentence or phrase goes past the end of a line.

 

STRUCTURE: The poem uses a variety of line lengths and breaks and is organized in free verse, with no set rhyme pattern. The disorderly nature of the subject matter is reflected in this arrangement. Because punctuation is used sparingly, tension-building and reflective pauses are possible. The poem's form lacks strict boundaries, which highlights the themes of duality and uncertainty while reflecting the flexibility of thinking and emotion.

 

CONTEXT: The poem appears to be a reflection on present existential problems that are pertinent to modern culture, even though the author, Max Vorst, may not be well known. The "what" is the investigation of duality in human experiences, whereas the "who" consists of people battling emotional complexity. The "where" and "when" are less obvious, but they can be seen as timeless and universal, speaking to anybody who has experienced interpersonal conflict or emotional distress. The poem's "why" probably comes from a need to explain the frequently unsaid difficulties of comprehending oneself and other people in a complex environment.

 

By Nwafor Oji Awala