Ancestors
Philosophical reflection delivered in the 2ndperson moves the poem beyond the very personal to encompass how we all feel about our ancestors and our cultural heritage inviting us to share his thoughts and feel as if we belong to the world of the poem
The rhetorical questions follow the ‘who, what, where and why’ pattern emphasising Skryznecki’s ambivalent feelings about belonging to his cultural heritage
The poem philosophically ponders the mystery of our ancestors, and explores how even when we feel disconnected we belong spiritually to the past
Features imagery that is elusive such as the “bearded, faceless men” and the anonymous landscape of mountains and moonlit plains and his disconnection
Alliterative use of the consonant‘s’ and the onomatopoeic “whisper” emphasise the secrets that he cannot access
He may deny his cultural heritage but he cannot ignore the powerful spiritual connection that he has with Europe and his ancestors, “The wind tastes of blood.”
The rhetorical questions follow the ‘who, what, where and why’ pattern emphasising Skryznecki’s ambivalent feelings about belonging to his cultural heritage
The poem philosophically ponders the mystery of our ancestors, and explores how even when we feel disconnected we belong spiritually to the past
Features imagery that is elusive such as the “bearded, faceless men” and the anonymous landscape of mountains and moonlit plains and his disconnection
Alliterative use of the consonant‘s’ and the onomatopoeic “whisper” emphasise the secrets that he cannot access
He may deny his cultural heritage but he cannot ignore the powerful spiritual connection that he has with Europe and his ancestors, “The wind tastes of blood.”