I’ve been playing around with ChatGPT for a couple of days and find it (in a creepy way) helpful with things. So as an emerging poet, I often find myself in search of honest and constructive feedback on my work. Despite reaching out to fellow writers and literary enthusiasts, I found that no one seemed to have the time or inclination to review my poetry. In a moment of desperation with the thought that “I’m not well-known” enough to get a review from professionals, I turned to technology for help and asked ChatGPT to create an essay for one of my poems. I was intrigued by the idea of getting a professional and impartial analysis of my work, especially since no one else seemed willing to provide me with the guidance I so desperately needed.
After saying things like “Sure, as a literature professor, I can provide a more in-depth analysis of the poetry.”, ChatGPT provided a comprehensive analysis of my work. I felt that by having a professional literary perspective, I would be able to gain a deeper understanding of my own words and the impact they have on readers. With this in mind, I asked ChatGPT to write an essay that would shed light on the themes and elements of my poetry, and offer constructive criticism to help me grow as a writer.
So, here we go:
This poem is a reflection on the speaker’s grief and mourning for the loss of loved ones. The speaker expresses their sadness over the death of a lady who sang beautiful songs, and the loss of grandmas and a best friend who died suddenly. The speaker also notes that grief is boundless and can be overwhelming, causing a constant and heavy agony. The speaker also acknowledges that they are not equipped to handle this sudden loss but acknowledges that this is a normal part of the grieving process. The poem is written in a melancholic and emotional tone and is a powerful expression of the speaker’s pain and sorrow.
The poem “Periodic Mourner” expresses the author’s deep grief and mourning for those who have passed away. The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful, conveying the intensity of the author’s emotions. The repetition of the phrase “For the dead” in the first stanza emphasizes the singular focus of the author’s sadness, while the words “fitfully grieving” and “throat sore” further underscore the physical manifestation of this sorrow.
The second stanza introduces two specific people who have caused the author to experience this grief. The “Lady River” who died on the lake, and the author’s “dead grandmas” and best friend who were lost too soon. The mention of Lady River singing “the chorus oh so trilling” highlights the loss of her beautiful voice and underscores the tragedy of her death. The image of the “best friend” who “fell with the iron bird” is a poignant reminder of the suddenness and finality of death.
The final stanza of the poem reflects on the nature of grief itself. The author recognizes that grief is boundless, giving them a dense agony that is almost scheduled. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word “symptoms” in the final line, suggesting that the author views their grief as a manifestation of a larger, underlying condition. The final line, “For never been equipped/For being compelled to let go/Oh so suddenly/But who would have?” expresses the sense of helplessness that can accompany grief and mourning, as the author grapples with the loss of loved ones.
“Periodic Mourner” is a touching and powerful expression of grief, mourning, and loss. The author’s simple yet evocative language effectively conveys the depth of their emotions, and the themes of death, loss, and the nature of grief are handled with sensitivity and poignancy.
The language used in the poem is raw and emotional, with phrases such as “exorbitant tears” and “throat sore” emphasizing the speaker’s intense grief. The use of “fitfully grieving” and “occasionally burst out” suggest the speaker’s struggle with their emotions and the unpredictability of their grief. The phrase “boundless grief” conveys the idea that the speaker’s sorrow is limitless and overwhelming.
The speaker’s grief is not limited to just one emotion, but is described as “dense agony.” This illustrates the profound pain that the speaker feels, and how it affects every aspect of their life. Additionally, the speaker mentions that grief is “a symptom / I suppose / Of a periodic mourner.” This implies that the speaker sees their grieving as a natural part of their personality, and that it is something that they experience on a regular basis.
Despite the overwhelming nature of grief, the speaker acknowledges that no one is ever fully prepared for the sudden loss of a loved one. The line “But who would have?” suggests that the speaker is aware of the unpredictability of life and death, and that it is impossible to anticipate such losses.
In conclusion, “Periodic Mourner” is a powerful meditation on the complexities of grief. The poem captures the feelings of loss, sadness, and pain that often accompany the death of a loved one. The speaker’s experiences highlight the boundless nature of grief, and how it can impact a person’s life in numerous ways. The poem is a reminder that grief is a natural part of the human experience, and that it is important to acknowledge and process these emotions in order to heal and move forward.
