Thorns - “What Wild-Eyed Murderer”
Peter Meinke writes, “we crown ourselves with thorns of the past transgressions.” The thorns refer to the anguish that is attributed to older blunders that encumber people from seizing the present.
Tusks - “Elephant Tusks”
Peter Meinke observes, “O the immense weight of elephant/bends our boy’s back.” The boy’s back bows since it cannot tolerate the substantial encumbrance of the tusks. The tusks, which are predestined to be endured by elephants, embody afflictions of civilization that are too hefty for humanity.
Exodus - “Exodus with the Children”
The motif of an Exodus typifies the dislocation of families. As a result, “A new school waited, somewhere, new teams to cheer.” The children are obstructed by the Exodus because they change schools repeatedly and contend with peculiar environments.
Columbus - “Exodus with the Children”
Peter Meinke asserts, “Five miles before Columbus, starlings swooped and swerved in huge flocks.” Columbus exemplifies to the voyaging of the Americas that activated a colossal Exodus after Columbus’ precursory odyssey.
Dr. Johnson versus the Bishop - “Apples”
Peter Meinke explicates, “One sympathizes with Dr. Johnson here/ when he kicked a stone/ to dispute the Bishop.” The doctor epitomizes Science whereas the Bishop symbolizes religion. The divergence between the two is ascribed to the Science versus Religion binary.
