For this reading log I decided to do a poem from week twelve’s online packet titled, “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note”, By Amiri Baraka. He begins the poem by describing the state of mind he is in. Baraka gives off the impression that he is a broken man without any faith or ties to religion. He does this by saying, “I’ve become accustomed to the way the ground opens up and envelops me”. In other words, he feels himself falling, about to break, hopeless and trapped. He also says,” nobody sings anymore”. I interpreted this as to him life is dead. Towards the end of the poem he hears his daughter talking in her room. Believing she was talking to someone in person he opens the door, but instead finds her praying. He describes it as “ she on her knees, peeking into her own clasped hands”. I find this funny because while he feels lost and trapped, as if he is being enveloped by his surroundings, his daughter is at peace, praying to a higher being.
I really enjoyed reading this poem, but wasn’t sure why he mentioned the sound of the wind and bus. I found this line to be unnecessary in the poem and confusing. I believe the author was trying to show the reader the irony of it all. He has distanced himself from god and by doing so caused himself to feel this way, while his daughter has opened her heart to god. I enjoyed the ending because I can picture as he walks in and his surprise to see his daughter spiritually mature. I can relate to Baraka because I too am not into religion and have felt as if the ground was pulling me down.
