"If You Knew Just Who Was Watching"
Background Explanation
This was part of a long poetry anthology project in which I analyzed eight poems, all with a common theme. My chosen theme was Irish poets. I surprisingly found that many of them, while from various time periods and backgrounds, had similar themes and topics. For example, nature images were utilized in many of the poems. In addition, several examined different aspects of war. A couple of them had very pessimistic or fatalistic tones, while some were loving and hopeful. Taking a closer look at a variety of poems with both similarities and differences allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and broaden my range of knowledge.
After reading the poem "One Morning" by Eamon Grennan, I was inspired to write a poetic response in the same style. It is literally a response to the situation seen from the perspective of the character referred to as "your" in "One Morning" and is titled "If You Knew Just Who Was Watching".
"If You Knew Just Who Was Watching"
Through a misty haze of breath against bitter, chilled glass,
My hazel eyes followed the back of your jet black jacket,
Inspecting, but unaware that you, too, were being inspected.
A perfectly static deer – a tense statue, alert, easily a part
Of the beige cloak of dormant trees and decomposing leaves.
A crimson fox, white chest pressed to the earth
Slinking in the shadows just beyond your sight.
If you knew just who was watching, waiting,
Would you continue receding forever further away?
Original Poem:
- "One Morning" by Eamon Grennan
This is the poem that served as inspiration for my poetic response.
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