Introduction
Terrance Hayes is a well-respected American poet who expresses the acute issues of modern society and culture. However, aside from these matters, the poet is not afraid of sharing his personal feelings and experiences, helping others find solace and comfort in his writings. Indeed, this is why he is among “the most celebrated poets of his generation” (Williams 169). Among his most well-known works is the book American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin. Through his work, Terrance Hayes emphasizes not only the political and discriminatory issues but also his grief and ways to cope with overwhelming feelings of sadness, which resonates with the readers.
Sonnet 6
The sonnet “I Remember My Sister’s Last Hoorah” is a poignant and unsettling monologue about grief and death. This sonnet’s key themes are the passing of time and the unchangeable nature of death. The first two lines, “I remember / The horror of her head on a pillow,” set the tone for the rest of the sonnet (Hayes line 2). Following those lines is the author’s pondering about the processes the body undergoes after death. Hayes points out that eventually, “the bones become dust” and “the dust after a long time become dirt,” which illustrates that this is an imminent process that awaits every person (Hayes line 9).
The poet’s dictation is precise and expressive, enabling him to communicate complicated thoughts straightforwardly. For instance, the phrase “a long time” is repeated several times, implying the slow, unstoppable flow of time as well as how death might seem both forthcoming and far away (Hayes line 4). The final two lines use brief sentences, “This bitter earth is a song / Clogging the mouth before it is swallowed or spat out,” which creates a feeling of closure (Hayes line 15). Such lines indicate that the speaker has accepted the certainty of mortality.
Furthermore, the rich imagery in this sonnet is arguably its most remarkable feature. As seen, Hayes describes the many phases of decomposition the body undergoes after death, from bones to dust to soil. This visual, which is both captivating and terrifying, forces the reader to have a direct conversation with the reality of death. The phrase “This bitter earth” also implies that life itself may be unpleasant, full of joy and sadness (Hayes line 13).
Lastly, Hayes adopts a melancholy and reflective tone throughout the entire work. The speaker’s repeated use of the pronoun “I remember” shows that, despite passing the time, he is still struggling with the memory of his sister’s passing (Hayes line 1). The writing also conveys a sense of surrender and acceptance, as if the speaker has accepted the inevitable nature of death and is at peace with it.
Sonnet 8
The next work worth analyzing is the sonnet “Goddamn, So This is What it Means to Have a Leader You Despise.” On the one hand, the author focuses on the theme of hypocritical politics. Hayes demonstrates that the administration under the first black president was disappointing since there was nothing but “gangsta narcissisms threading every shabby sentence his trumpet constructs” (Hayes line 11). With these words, the poet wanted to show that the president prioritized not the interests of the nation but his agenda.
On the other hand, Hayes highlights the deeper theme of the nation’s ignorance. Throughout his work, the readers can sense a contempt expressed toward those who discriminate against or ridicule other people. As Hayes points out, “You are not allowed to say sh*t about Mexicans when you ain’t got any Mexican friends” (Hayes line 13).
He further proceeds to say that nobody should feel free to deride women or other racial minorities. Additionally, the poem’s diction is based on informal language, which is seen through words such as “ain’t,” “goddamn,” “sh*t,” and others. However, the incorporation of colloquialisms and vulgar words is intended to resonate with the readers.
Lastly, the poem uses strong and memorable imagery. The poet employs literary devices to evoke vivid images in the reader’s imagination. For instance, the phrase “an idiot’s threats & gangsta narcissisms” suggests the president is more of a rapper or gangster than a politician (Hayes, line 11). This illustration demonstrates the poet’s opinion that the current leader is focused on presenting a powerful image but not running the country.
Finally, the sonnet has a tone of resentment and rage. The political atmosphere and treatment of people of color are upsetting the poet. The poet’s anger and disgust with the government and its policies are highlighted by the usage of phrases including “goddamn.”
Sonnet 12
The last sonnet exuding support and profound messages is “It Was Discovered the Best Way to Combat Sadness Was to Make Your Sadness a Door.” In the given work, Hayes covers the theme of desperation that many people experience. As a result, the author provides a solution to battling such a difficult feeling: “to make your sadness a door” (Hayes line 3).
The poet emphasizes that ignoring or suppressing one’s emotions will never lead to good results, which is why it is necessary to recognize one’s feelings. Hayes points to the fact that “If you think a hammer is the only way to hammer a nail, you ain’t thought of the nail correctly” (Hayes line 11). What helps make this sonnet more intimate is the work’s dialect, which is based on informal language, incorporating words such as “ain’t.” As a result, it helps the author not only reflect on his own experiences but also helps the audience resonate with him.
Moreover, the tone of the work is introspective, with the author pondering the essence of sadness and ways to escape it. The speaker’s tone is open and pensive as he discusses personal experiences with melancholy. What completes the work is the use of powerful imagery. The image of the “radio tape recorder/Your mother bought you for Christmas in 1984” helps the author evoke nostalgia and warmth (Hayes line 9). As a result, throughout the work, the author’s purpose is to help the readers relate to him and find comfort in the sonnet.
Conclusion
Hence, through his writing, Terrance Hayes not only draws attention to political and discriminatory issues but also to his grief and strategies for handling strong feelings of sadness, which create an emotional connection with the readers. The monologue on sorrow and death in the sonnet “I Remember My Sister’s Last Hoorah” is both moving and disturbing.
The sonnet “Goddamn, So This is What it Means to Have a Leader You Despise” is the following piece that focuses on the nation’s ignorance and hypocritical politics. The last sonnet, “It Was Discovered the Best Way to Combat Sadness Was to Make Your Sadness a Door,” radiates encouragement and profound truths. Hayes addressed the subject of despair that many individuals encounter in their lives.
Works Cited
Hayes, Terrance. American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin. United States, Penguin Publishing Group, 2018.
Williams, Jeffrey J. “Shakespeare and Scooby-Doo: An Interview with Terrance Hayes.” Iowa Review, vol. 48, no. 1, 2018, pp. 169-196. Web.