Poem Analysis Help

[JBrower]

So, I'm supposed to be writing an essay about the "big ideas" and thematic elements (in relation to speakers attitude) of this really obscure and confusing poem that I don't get at all---help would be highly appreciated because its a poem that my English teacher recommended I use, and I can't make sense of it or find ANYTHING about the poet online. Here it is.

Looking Up at the World's Floor by J. Skyler Holton
Thirteen yellow droplets
of melted llama stones
Drip horizontally upward
and seep into my bones

Sixteen juniper dogs
belong to Mr. Indiana Jones
Walking in the green park
they talk on wooden phones

Fourty-two jumpin' jehosophats
poke Jesus in the eye
And I run through solid water
For hours 'til I die.

[genoveva]

So, I'm supposed to be writing an essay about the "big ideas" and thematic elements (in relation to speakers attitude) of this really obscure and confusing poem that I don't get at all---help would be highly appreciated because its a poem that my English teacher recommended I use, and I can't make sense of it or find ANYTHING about the poet online. Here it is.

Looking Up at the World's Floor by J. Skyler Holton
Thirteen yellow droplets
of melted llama stones
Drip horizontally upward
and seep into my bones

Sixteen juniper dogs
belong to Mr. Indiana Jones
Walking in the green park
they talk on wooden phones

Fourty-two jumpin' jehosophats
poke Jesus in the eye
And I run through solid water
For hours 'til I die.

Good Luck! I would never suggest this poem to my students- especially to write a paper on its theme. Though, it is interestingly surreal.

[JBrower]

Good Luck! I would never suggest this poem to my students- especially to write a paper on its theme. Though, it is interestingly surreal.

well, admittedly its sort of my fault. i told my teacher that the suggested material was too simple and boring. but anyways, so far im sensing themes of the lack of modern human connection to nature...any feedback?

[JBI]

Hmm the llama are reference to dead culture (Aztec) as well as commerce, and I would think also talking about disappearing societies/cultures. 13 I would think is chosen to be an unlucky number, deliberately alluding to Christian numerology.

fourty-two is 7*6 which, if added, = 13, again alluding to that number. jehosophat is the King who mended the breach between Israel and Judah, but I can't understand how that fits with Jumpin' or with the poem. This thing is overly complex, and nearly impossible to understand.

[JBrower]

Hmm the llama are reference to dead culture (Aztec) as well as commerce, and I would think also talking about disappearing societies/cultures. 13 I would think is chosen to be an unlucky number, deliberately alluding to Christian numerology.

fourty-two is 7*6 which, if added, = 13, again alluding to that number. jehosophat is the King who mended the breach between Israel and Judah, but I can't understand how that fits with Jumpin' or with the poem. This thing is overly complex, and nearly impossible to understand.

jumpin' jehosophat! is like an old-fashioned exclamation of surprise isn't it? sort of like "jiminy cricket!"...but that doesn't seem to connect to the poem either. possibly it is intentionally ambiguous, referencing the exclamation of surprise as well as the jewish King? Is it an attempt of religious analysis by the poet?

[ktd222]

Genoveva has it correct when he/she described the poem as “surreal”. This almost seems like a dream. I don’t think it is important for you to identify every obscure symbolic meaning, because sometimes they are just too obscure to derive meaning from, anyhow. When was Holton born? The reference to Indiana Jones marks his birth as pretty recent. The reference to Indiana Jones coupled with Jesus in the third stanza, turns this into a poem about spirituality, doesn’t it? I mean, in the Indiana Jones movies he was always in search of evidence of holy relics. And in this world, aren’t we all searching for some “deeper” meaning to it all. Look at the relationship of where the “world’s floor” is located versus where the speaker is witnessing it. Also look at the fact that this world is encompassed on one floor, and not looked at as a place where we “move” anywhere, as far as becoming spiritually enlightened. I think you can even explain the numbers beginning each stanza as one’s age. Look at how progressively “older” the speaker gets, yet how static the poem’s images remain. Good luck! I'm sorry I don't have time to expand, but I think you get the basis from which you can form your argument.

[JBrower]

anyone else?

[barbara0207]

I think ktd makes some good points. However, with surrealist art one is always in danger of over-interpreting. The mental eye sees a picture like the ones painted by Salvador Dali, e.g. The Burning Giraffe. If nothing on Holton can be found, have a look at interpretations of Dali's pictures or essays on surrealism in general. I'm rather sure that'll help.

[Il Penseroso]

what are your thoughts on the poem? ktd seems to have given you more than enough to start.

[JBrower]

Bring this back up because the paper is due this month (its a LONNNG process). I do agree w/ a lot that ktd222 said, but I would love a few more opinions on the poem, if anyone else would be willing to. i don't particularly want to say where im leaning, just because id love some analysis that isn't influenced by what i have to say

[ReynardKitsune]

my thoughts are that the person is already dead and he is looking at the world form below at an opposite perspective i am not very sure cause my english is not very good and yes i think it is very strange and surreal i don't get the part on indiana jones and jesus pardon me

[barrie]

Hi,

Remember, when it comes to poems like this one--there is no ONE meaning. There may be thousands of different and conflicting meanings--and all can be correct. It is not like math. ANY meaning you can come up with and justify with quotes is correct. Think in terms of symbols,.personifications and/or metaphors and make up any meaning you wish. You can't be wrong--as long as you back up what you say. So, use your imagination, make all the objects and allusions into symbols and metaphors--and explain them. Explaiin your thought process as to HOW you got to these things meaning what you do. You can't go wrong--as long as you back up what you say--with quotes. And, of course, if there are any alliterations--throw them in. They always emphasize just what those particular words are saying.

Be well & happy,
Barrie

[ReynardKitsune]

wow barrie!