Thursday, February 12, 2009
"A Fire Truck" by Richard Wilbur
Richard Wilbur has captured the infatuation every one of us takes to a fire truck as the "redness, brass, ladders, and hats hurl past." Throughout the first verse Wilbur explains ones simple love for the common occurrence of a fire truck as it goes by "skittering to the curb." He does this by employing language that creates vibrant imagery such as; "Your phoenix-red simplicity," and "the headlong bell maintaining sure and clear." Captivating this imagery inside the readers head immerses them in all that is going on in that instance. However not stopping with imagery he continues to explore the jingles of the sirens as they "howl beyond hearing." Although everyone knows the feeling of a fire truck going "right down the shocked street with a siren blast"Wilbur has captivated this experience by redefining all the feelings that rush through you in that instance. On the whole the poem displays language that defines your senses as that oh so familiar "phoenix red" blares past you.
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Very good use of text. That's a plus. But ask yourself: does he use language that has connotation of love or affection? Strong imagery, yes. But love? Isn't he surprised by the truck? Thrown off his thoughts? Perhaps a bit paralyzed by its urgency? Look for the purpose within the text of the poem and no further. You're on the right track, but don't race ahead in your thinking to assumptions beyond the scope of the text. Very good start!
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