A whale of wheat is poem that explore themes of identity, self-reflection, and transformation.
My pictures are penciled in a frown or smile,
an art in deep water,
On dirty canvas, my veins change colour,
I’m the general without a uniform.
With a still hum, I stare at my birthday suit,
recollecting the unwinding grace of the ethereal,
then, with still eyes, I imagine a lukewarm squirt from the titanic.
The poet employs vivid imagery and metaphors to convey a complex narrative.
The opening lines, “My pictures are penciled in a frown or smile, an art in deep water,” suggest a duality in the speaker’s emotions. The use of “penciled” implies that these emotions are not genuine but rather drawn on, possibly as a facade.
The reference to “deep water” adds a layer of depth and complexity to these emotions, indicating that they run beneath the surface.
Metamorphosis – The line “On dirty canvas, my veins change colour” speaks to a transformation or change in the speaker’s inner self. The choice of “dirty canvas” implies that this transformation might be mired in difficulties or impurities.
The change in the color of veins symbolizes a change in the essence or identity of the speaker.
The line “I’m the general without a uniform” suggests a hidden identity.
Self-Reflection: The lines “With a still hum, I stare at my birthday suit, recollecting the unwinding grace of the ethereal” indicate a moment of self-reflection. The “birthday suit” alludes to one’s naked, unadorned self. The “unwinding grace of the ethereal” might refer to a sense of spiritual or transcendent experience.
In summary, this poem delves into the complexities of human emotions, identity, and self-reflection.
