My Father’s SongSIMON ORTIZ
Wanting to say things,
I miss my father tonight.
His voice, the slight catch,
the depth from his thin chest,
the tremble of emotion
in something he has just said
to his son, his song:
We planted corn one Spring at Acu —
we planted several times
but this one
particular time
I remember the soft damp sand
in my hand.
My father had stopped at one point
to show me an overturned furrow;
the plowshare had unearthed
the burrow nest of a mouse
in the soft moist sand.
Very gently, he scooped tiny pink animals
into the palm of his hand
and told me to touch them.
We took them to the edge
of the field and put them in the shade
of a sand moist clod.
I remember the very softness
of cool and warm sand and tiny alive mice
and my father saying things. [1977]
Simon Ortiz's poem "My Father’s Song" is
a poignant reflection on memory, heritage, and the intimate connection between
a father and son. To analyze the poem's style, we can examine its use of
language, structure, imagery, tone, and themes. Here's how these elements of
style are applied in the poem:
1. Language and Diction
- Simple
and Direct: Ortiz uses plain, accessible language,
reflecting the oral tradition of storytelling common in Indigenous
cultures. This simplicity allows the emotional weight of the poem to shine
through without unnecessary ornamentation.
- Concrete
and Sensory: The poem is grounded in specific, tangible
details, such as the "sand," "cornfields," and the
"soft damp sand." These sensory descriptions make the memory
vivid and relatable.
2. Structure and Form
- Free
Verse: The poem is written in free verse, without a strict
rhyme scheme or meter. This mirrors the natural flow of memory and
conversation, creating an intimate, reflective tone.
- Short
Lines and Stanzas: The brevity of the lines and stanzas emphasizes
the quiet, understated nature of the memory. It also allows for pauses,
giving the reader time to absorb the imagery and emotions.
3. Imagery
- Tactile
and Visual: Ortiz employs vivid imagery to evoke the
physical sensations of the memory, such as the "soft damp sand"
and the "tiny mice" the father and son gently handle. These
images create a sense of closeness and tenderness.
- Symbolism: The
act of planting corn and caring for the mice symbolizes nurturing,
tradition, and the passing down of knowledge from one generation to the
next.
4. Tone
- Nostalgic
and Reverent: The tone is deeply nostalgic, as the speaker
recalls a cherished moment with his father. There is also a sense of
reverence for the father's wisdom and the cultural traditions he
represents.
- Quiet
and Reflective: The poem's tone is understated, emphasizing the
quiet, everyday moments that hold profound meaning.
5. Themes
- Memory
and Legacy: The poem explores how memories of loved ones
and cultural traditions are preserved and passed down. The father's song
becomes a metaphor for this transmission of knowledge and values.
- Connection
to Land and Nature: The imagery of the cornfields and the mice
highlights the speaker's deep connection to the natural world, a central
theme in much of Ortiz's work.
- Father-Son
Bond: The poem celebrates the intimate, unspoken bond
between the father and son, conveyed through shared actions and
experiences rather than words.
6. Repetition
- The
phrase "my father's song" is repeated throughout the poem,
emphasizing its importance as a symbol of memory, tradition, and emotional
connection. This repetition reinforces the poem's central themes and
creates a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality.
7. Cultural Context
- Ortiz,
an Acoma Pueblo poet, often incorporates Indigenous perspectives and
traditions into his work. In this poem, the act of planting corn and the
reverence for nature reflect Indigenous values and ways of life. The poem
subtly underscores the importance of preserving these traditions in the
face of cultural erosion.
Conclusion
Through its simple yet evocative language, vivid imagery, and
reflective tone, "My Father’s Song" captures the
enduring power of memory and the deep connections between family, culture, and
the natural world. Ortiz's style is understated yet profound, allowing the
poem's emotional and cultural resonance to shine through.
