The first poem ‘I Say I Say I Say’, is one of Simon Armitage’s darker poems, touching on the topic of suicide. Written as if it is a monologue at an event such as a motivational speech or a suicide awareness charity, the poem speaks to the audience on a personal level. The narrator interacts with both those who have attempted suicide and those who have not, urging them to understand why someone might and show compassion. With the use of imagery such as the ‘white towels/washed a dozen times, still pink’, Armitage is showing how the attempted suicide stays with somebody their whole life. The conclusion of the poem suggests that those who have suicidal thoughts should speak to someone about it as compassion from a loved one could save their life.
Next is ‘I Am Very Bothered’. Written in the standard sonnet structure of fourteen lines, the poem is reminiscent of a childhood crush and the typical story of a boy teasing the girl he likes. As a thirteen-year-old at school, he tricks his crush into putting her fingers into a pair of scissors which he has heated up over a Bunsen burner in science class, causing her to be burned. The recipient of the burns has to go to hospital and is scarred for life. However, the poem ends in the trickster declaring his love for his crush, describing how this was a ‘butterfingered way’ of asking her to marry him.
‘Poem’ sees Armitage describing a perfectly ordinary man, carrying out his daily routine as a father, a husband, and a son. He appears to be loving, hard-working and generous towards his family, providing and caring for them. However, every fourth line, we are shocked by his actions as he violently punishes his daughter, beats his wife, and steals from his sick mother. The casual structure and language surrounding these actions suggests Armitage is stating how they are not uncommon in the ‘ordinary’ man and that people never really truly know what goes on behind closed doors.
The title of the next poem, ‘About His Person’, suggests the discovery of a dead body as this is a phrase commonly used by police officers in this situation. Armitage describes the different items, including a shopping list, change and a library card, all suggesting this is an ordinary man. However, certain clues are given to suggest this was a suicide. The person is holding a ‘note of explanation’ and also has a mark where possibly a wedding ring would have recently been. This suggests the protagonist has committed suicide due to a failing marriage which ‘was everything.’
‘It Ain’t What You Do, It’s What It Does To You’ compares the life of the ordinary man with that of someone who has traveled the world and done things many people dream of doing. The poem describes a typical case of wanderlust, wanting to see different countries, meet new people and discover other cultures. However, the overall message, outlined in the title, is that even if you never leave your home country, you make the best life you can from what you’ve got.
