The Clapping Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFG HIJKLMN OPQRSTB| There is a grace in the way people do things even the simplest tasks | A |
| the dance with which their fingers encircle the chicken's gaze coaxing | B |
| the edges of its eyes into paleness their calling upon it to rest now | C |
| their speaking in a way that acknowledges something common to both of them | D |
| reassuring it like a mother smoothing down the ruffled neck feathers | E |
| lightly stroking with their fingertips the comb's red membrane | F |
| knowing as they touch that it is like other erect familiar flesh | G |
| - | |
| Yet continuing to speak softly as though enchanted by their own syllables | H |
| patiently explaining while leaning closer to the top of the upturned log | I |
| the bitten rings in the wood the ax handle carefully positioned | J |
| comforting it promising that everything is going to be all right | K |
| whispering to it as though it loved sentences as though it knew words | L |
| for in this way we ward off thoughts of bedtime stories that end in darkness | M |
| of lullabies heard so long ago nothing remains now only their silence | N |
| - | |
| Least of all do we allow ourselves a glimpse of that image seconds away | O |
| the chicken's body searching through the grass but unable to remember why | P |
| and this not knowing is a part of the grace of doing what must be done | Q |
| even the most difficult task not to remember what it was like before | R |
| not to expect forgiveness after not to want more than what you have | S |
| at this moment which is a live creature looming like a bell in your hands | T |
| and your own voice hushed to cry out at the inevitable ringing | B |
Jared Carter
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