Introduction
Poetry has long been recognized as a powerful tool for expressing emotions and ideas and shedding light on social and political issues. The essay will explore the work of two contemporary poets, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and Craig Santos Perez. In their works, poetry serves as a powerful tool to uncover stories of survival, struggle, and hope, while advocating for environmental justice, empathy, and peace.
Through careful examination of the rhythm and patterns employed in their poems, it becomes clear that these poets can effectively convey their intended message, inspiring action and change. Therefore, this essay discusses Jetñil-Kijiner and Perez’s poems by examining their purpose and paying close attention to the sonic levels of the poems, such as rhythm and patterns, as methods used to achieve their intended goal. Moreover, the paper discusses alliteration, repetition, and cultural and linguistic identities as techniques the authors employed to fulfil their objectives.
Historical and Cultural Context
The Marshall Islands is a small Pacific Island nation that is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels pose a threat to the islands’ residents, thereby forcing them to relocate. The UN Secretary-General hosted a Climate Summit in New York in 2014, bringing together world leaders to discuss the effects of climate change (Schiermeier 9).
Jetil-Kijiner recited her poem “Dear Matafele Peinam” at this summit, a powerful plea for action on behalf of her people. On the other hand, Perez is a Chamorro poet from Guam, another island in the Pacific. His poetry frequently explores themes of identity, colonization, and environmentalism. In “Halloween in the Anthropocene,” Perez examines the impact of climate change on developing countries and how neoliberal policies exacerbate poverty and exploitation (Perez 4). By drawing attention to these issues, Perez aims to inspire empathy and advocate for peace.
Alliteration
In contemporary poetry, alliteration remains a widely used technique for creating powerful imagery and evoking emotions in the reader. Two poets who have used alliteration to significant effect are Jetñil-Kijiner and Perez. Jetil-Kijiner’s “Dear Matafele Peinam” is a heartfelt poem that draws attention to the beauty of the Marshall Islands and the impact of climate change (Robinson 319).
The other use of alliteration in the poem is evident in lines such as “whispered by the wetlands whispering amidst the rubble of war” (Kijiner 3). The repetition of the “w” sound fosters a sense of rhythm and musicality, attracting the reader’s attention to the environment’s fragility (Kijiner 1). Jetñil-Kijiner uses this technique to create empathy for her people, who are struggling to protect their homeland from the effects of climate change. The poem serves as a stark reminder of the devastation climate change has imposed on the planet.
Perez’s poem “Halloween in the Anthropocene” draws attention to child exploitation in developing nations. The poem is a powerful commentary on the harsh reality of exploitation and poverty. The use of alliteration in the poem is evident in lines such as “Cacao crumbs cling to their cheeks like cancer, dirt & blood baking in the sun” (Perez 43). The frequent use of the “c” sound leads to discomfort and unease, which draws attention to the harsh reality of being exploited and impoverished (Perez 43). Perez uses this technique to elicit empathy for those trapped in this cycle of poverty and exploitation.
Repetition
Repetition is the repeating of a word or phrase for emphasis. It can create a sense of unity and cohesion in a poem, drawing attention to important ideas and themes. In “Dear Matafele Peinam,” Jetñil-Kijiner repeats the phrase “We are not drowning, we are fighting” throughout the poem (Robinson 41). For example, she states, “We are drawing the line between survival and suicide, we are the descendants of the warriors who whispered that bravery is contagious, and water can birth hope from our bodies.”
Craig Santos Perez’s use of repetition is another important aspect of his poetry. He frequently repeats key phrases or lines throughout his poems, creating rhythm and emphasizing specific ideas (Metres). Perez repeats the phrase “from the unincorporated territory (Saina)” throughout the poem, drawing attention to the political and cultural significance of the term. The repetition also connects different parts of the poem, emphasizing the Chamorro people’s experience with colonial oppression.
Cultural and Linguistic Identities
Furthermore, Perez’s poetry frequently incorporates bilingual elements, reflecting the complex cultural and linguistic identities of Pacific Islanders. He switches between English and Chamorro in “from the unincorporated territory (lukao),” emphasizing the link between language and cultural identity. Bilingualism is also used to resist colonial assimilation and promote cultural revitalization.
In terms of cultural context, Perez’s poetry has an unbreakable connection to the long past of Guam and other Pacific Islands. For generations, the Chamorro people of Guam and other parts of Micronesia have been victims of colonial oppression, initially by Spain and then by the United States. Although Guam is still a part of the United States, the effects of colonialism can be felt in the island’s political and economic structures.
Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner’s poetry also draws on the cultural and historical background of the Marshall Islands, a small Pacific island nation profoundly affected by both climate change and nuclear testing. In “Dear Matafele Peinam,” she addresses her young daughter and expresses her concerns about the islands and the world’s future. The poem was famously recited at the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit, drawing attention to the urgent need for climate action in vulnerable island nations such as the Marshall Islands (Schiermeier 3).
Jetil-Kijiner’s poetry incorporates traditional Marshallese cultural elements such as storytelling and oral tradition. In “History Project,” she tells the story of her family’s experiences with nuclear testing and displacement using the structure of a traditional Marshallese chant. The use of conventional forms links the poetry to Marshallese cultural heritage and acts as a form of resistance to the erasure of indigenous cultures.
Another essential aspect of Jetil-Kijiner’s poetry is her use of imagery and metaphor. She explains the ocean in “Tell Them” As “choking on the plastic we made,” highlighting the harmful effects of human activity on the natural world. In “Anointed,” she uses oil as an analogy for the devastation caused by nuclear testing, describing it as “black rain” that falls on the islands.
In broad terms, Craig Santos Perez and Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner utilize poetry as a powerful tool to convey tales of struggle, survival, and hope (Kijiner 2). Their use of alliteration, repetition, rhyme, and other sonic elements contributes to the creation of rhythm and emphasizes key ideas. The historical and cultural setting of their poetry is deeply connected to Pacific Islander encounters and the ongoing legacy of colonialism and environmental injustice. They advocate for ecological justice, empathy, and peace through their poetry, inspiring readers to take steps to address these critical problems.
Perez and Jetil-Kijiner utilize their poetry to address social justice and activist issues, literary devices, and cultural context. In his writings, Perez, for example, frequently addresses concepts of colonialism, militarism, and environmental degradation. He outlines the impact of militarization on Guam “from unincorporated territory (guma’),” including the displacement of indigenous people and the destruction of natural resources. As such, his poetry inspires action, encouraging readers to resist oppression and strive for social justice.
Similarly, Jetil-Kijiner’s poetry frequently addresses environmental justice issues. In “Dear Matafele Peinam,” she urges world leaders to take action to combat climate change, emphasizing the critical need for safeguarding vulnerable island nations (Robinson 112). As a result, her poetry serves as a form of activism, bringing attention to environmental issues and motivating readers to take action.
Furthermore, Perez and Jetil-Kijiner use their poetry to foster empathy and understanding for marginalized communities. Perez describes the experiences of Chamorro people living in the shadow of the military base on Guam, “from unincorporated territory (guma’),” emphasizing the human impact of colonialism and militarization. Jetil-Kijiner’s poetry focuses on the Marshallese people’s interactions with nuclear testing and climate change, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to those most affected by these issues.
Ultimately, the power of poetry lies in its capacity to convey complex ideas and emotions in a manner that resonates deeply with readers. Perez and Jetil-Kijiner use cultural context, literary devices, and activism to expose stories of struggle, survival, and hope that would otherwise go unheard. Their poetry serves as a reminder to listen to marginalized voices and work towards a more just and sustainable future.
“We must learn to listen to the unheard / the songs of those forgotten / the whispers of those left behind,” writes Perez in “from unincorporated territory (Metres 3).” Perez’s statement highlights the importance of paying attention to voices that are frequently disregarded or silenced. Individuals can create a more just and equitable society by learning to listen to the unheard and better understand the viewpoints and lived experiences of marginalized communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the poetry of Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner and Craig Santos Perez is beautiful and a powerful tool for giving voice to those who have endured hardships and found hope. The use of various sonic patterns, such as alliteration, repetition, and rhyme, in their work creates a mesmerizing effect that captivates readers. Still, more importantly, it aims to inspire environmental justice, foster empathy, and advocate for peace.
The poems’ rhythm and patterns help the audience understand the relationship between their poetry and the idea of environmental justice, a pressing problem that affects people. Their works illustrate poetry’s transformative power in addressing ecological and social issues, as well as the literary devices’ ability to amplify the stories of marginalized communities. The poetry of Jetil-Kijiner and Craig appeals to individuals to band together and face challenges to build a better world for themselves and future generations. Considering all aspects, the poetry of Jetil-Kijiner and Santos Perez is an invitation to reflect on people’s actions and strive for a better, more just world.
Works Cited
Kijiner, Kathy, Jetñil. “Dome Poem Part III: ‘Anointed’ Final Poem and Video.” Kijiner, Jetñil-Kijiner’s Poetry Collection. 2019. Web.
Metres, Philip, et al. “Poetics/Documents/Justice a Conversation Featuring Susan Briante, Philip Metres, M. NourbeSe Philip, and Craig Santos-Perez.” Synthesis: An Anglophone Journal of Comparative Literary Studies, vol. 13, 2021, pp. 114-129. Web.
Perez, Craig Santos. “Halloween in the Anthropocene, 2015.” Poetry, vol. 208, no.1, 2016, pp. 42-43. Web.
Perez, Craig Santos. “Guam and Literary Activism.” World Literature Today, vol. 93, no. 4, 2019, p. 68-70. Web.
Robinson, Angela L. “Of Monsters and Mothers: Affective Climates and Human-Nonhuman Sociality in Kathy Jetn̄l-Kijiner’s ‘Dear Matafele Peinam.’” The Contemporary Pacific, vol. 32, no. 2, 2020, pp. 311–339. Web.
Roszak, Suzanne Manizza. “The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.” World Literature Today, vol. 97, no. 2, 2023, pp. 77–78. Web.
Schiermeier, Quirin. “UN Climate Summit Scores High on Passion.” Nature, 2014, pp.1-2. Web.