Discuss “Fog” as an Imagistic poem
fog-poem
Imagist poetry refers to the poems that paint a picture.
Many times poets will incorporate the senses and express a brief moment in
words. Carl Sandburg is very frugal in the words he chooses to describe the
“fog”.
There appears to be a cacophony (a harsh or discordant mix of sounds) in
the way that the word is described. The opening line of Sandburg's poem
suggests a loud warning.
And yet he uses an antithesis of silence in the
imagery of a "little cat" to demonstrate that the city will be caught
unaware. Furthermore, he personifies the fog to accentuate the feeling of
danger.
The fact that the “fog” sits looking “over the harbour and city” is an
ominous image. It emphasizes an aspect of vulnerability to the elements of
nature. Man has no control over weather, which can be beautiful and destructive
at the same time.
However, the fog “moves on” at the end.
It does not dwell and
linger above the city, but rather continues on its journey. Sandburg's ending
seems to be parallel life; we dwell upon things and eventually come to a
decision and move forward.
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