Lines on a Skull

Ravi Shankar

(Haiku Erasure of Lord Byrons "Lines Inscribed upon a Cup Formed from a Skull")

Start spirit; behold

the skull. A living head loved

earth. My bones resign

the worm, lips to hold

sparkling grapes slimy circle,

shape of reptiles food.

Where wit shone of shine,

when our brains are substitute,

like me, with the dead,

lifes little, our heads

sad. Redeemed and wasting clay

this chance. Be of use.

The writer of the poem Ravi Shankar is the author of Deepening Groove (National Poetry

Review Press, 2011) and the forthcoming What Else Could It Be: Ekphrastics and

Collaborations (Carolina Wren Press, 2015). He teaches at Central Connecticut State

University and in the City University of Hong Kongs MFA Program. Shankar lives in Chester,

Connecticut.

The title Line on a skull significant to poem and its starting as poet says behold the skull which

is meaningful and related to title. Ravi Shankars poem is composed of haiku stanzas. Traditional

haikus follow a standard format. They are three lines, 17 syllables. The first and third lines are

five syllables; in the middle line, there are seven.

I believe that the theme of this poem is about how life is short (life's little) and how

people should make the most of it (Be of use) before they can't do that anymore.

The mood of this poem is dark and somewhat sad. It is a dark poem because it talks

about death and people's bones. Plus, it is sad. This is because it talks about people dying and

how life is short and it makes people realize that life is actually short. The artist often uses

"My..." or "our..." or "me... so you get the idea that maybe they are going through a dark time

and are possibly thinking about death frequently.

The imagery in this poem is very dark, almost like someone is sitting alone in a dark

room, which gives off a very creepy vibe.

The artist uses RHYTHM to empathize or stress to words, "wit" and "shine" in the line

"Where wit shone of shine". I believe the artist did this because the line doesn't directly make

sense; it isn't a statement that can be easily interrupted. The reader has to think about the line and

try to figure out what it means to them.

One of the last poetic devices used in this poem is MOOD. In the line "Be of use." is one

of the only lines in the poem that makes sense without rereading the poem or line and thinking

about it. This sets the mood for me because it is a simple statement, merely three words. Yet, they
are three powerful words when put together. I believe the artist did this on purpose to tie the

poem altogether and end it with a powerful, yet simple statement.

Part 2

An ocean voyage.

As waves break over the bow,

The sea welcomes me.

This haiku is presenting an image in the first part of An ocean voyage. Is the first part of poem

which is presenting an image of haiku with addition of two more contrasting ideas in second part

that mingle with another is about nature and the mesmerizing beauty of waves and ocean. The

syllables pattern is 5-7-5. In its genre, it is lyrical in nature and not lengthy. It praises nature,

natural scenes and abstract ideas. It is subject matter, highly solemn, romantic and serious in its

tone. It is elaborating pattern of stanzas, however the tone is often formal.