The Wasps Nest Holiday Homework Commentary by Evelyn Wong (Year 11X) June 1, 2011 The Wasps Nest

is a highly visual modern and contemporary free verse written by James L. Rosenberg. In closely describing the careful and almost single-minded focus of the wasps in building their nests, we are shown a parallelism in the life of wasps and human beings. The melancholic tone applied throughout the poem indicates the lingering respect the poet has towards the wasps; as much like the wasps, humans have to struggle in order to overcome tribulations to survive. A further presentation of the theme of overcoming adversity would be the constant use of strong diction through the war terms used in the poem. The war terms reflects the nature in the survival of the wasps, where it strives to survive while it is at constant risk of being destroyed. Formal language through the application of the words displeasure, warnings and attends in the poem indicates a form of novelty and respect towards the wasps. In the first two lines of the poems, the wasps are called aerial tigers that are striped in ebony and gold. Ebony and gold are colors usually used for the royalty, suggesting the conscious appreciation and respect the persona has towards the wasps, alike to the respect one would have towards royalty. The poet observes the movements of the wasps with appreciation and understanding, even relating the actions of the wasps in accordance to his emotions. This is highlighted when he states, perhaps they sense Ill never deal the blow. He believes the wasps feel and think much like he, a human does; where through syntax, Rosenberg keeps the readers thinking of this connection, for, though I am not in nor of them, still I think I know what it is like to live. Rosenberg applies syntax to appeal to the emotional understanding of the readers; making the readers compare the similarities in their own and the wasps lives. There is a constant parallel of humans and wasps in their basic needs of life. It is reflected that living creatures are created alike where in all the ruckus of everyday life; they strive for comfort, love and acceptance. This purpose of living is expressed by the consonance on the words live-love and stranger-danger in the last four lines of the poem. The consonance on live-love suggests that there can be no life without love. In addition, the consonance on stranger-danger highlights the ever lingering presence of danger in life. Since we live in such a large world/universe, danger is always present in the things we do not know of. Nevertheless, even at the risk of destruction, living creatures do only what they can through their own strength to keep surviving. The strength of the wasps and humans in overcoming dangers can be seen by the juxta-positioning in the metaphor building the fragile citadels of love. The wasps build nests to breed from love. This love can be found in the comforting connotation of the word home that is used in the poem instead of the more masculine sounding house. However, even though citadels are sought out as places of refuge where they function to protect those within it, being described as fragile undermines its function. The juxtaposition of the fragile citadel displays the constant danger that both people and animals are exposed to in everyday life. The citadels and homes can be as easily destroyed as it is built. Life is fragile. The fragility of life is constantly reflected throughout the poem where the wasps nest is built with only paper and mud; both substances not being concretely strong. However in their desire for a strong sanctuary or home, alliteration is used on my mailboxs metal hold to exaggerate the strength of their new home. The repetition of their insubstantial and their only home implies a

The Wasps Nest Holiday Homework Commentary by Evelyn Wong (Year 11X) June 1, 2011 slight desperation and need in finding a sanctuary. Moreover, even the term insubstantial suggests a weak home foundation; where without their only home they are weaker. The harsh diction and terms used in the poem resonates that in life, there is never a place of complete peace. The ominous yet melancholic tone in the poem foreshadows the intended message the poet intends to convey. Life is fickle and can be easily destroyed. The use of dangerous war terms throughout the poem: aerial, savagely, threats, warnings, danger, crush, Nevertheless, even with the ability of living creatures, especially man to destroy, there is a lingering sense of hope. Even with its ability to destroy, it has yet to completely destroy itself as readers are repetitively reminded that living creatures will keep building amidst the dangers surrounding them. Onomatopeia emphasizes the delicacy and dedication of the wasps through religious imagery where they are said to carry out their tasks with hummed devotions. This reminds the poet, that very similar to human beings, wasps too can become fiercely occupied with the tasks their assigned to. The wasps remain persistent and determined where even in face of their opposition, in this case the poet, they proceed on; looking straight ahead; thereby continuing to live. However, they too also become preoccupied with themselves at times, losing sight of what really matters. This is akin to humans, who in modern times are more materialistic. The Wasps Nest is a highly visual free verse poem that highlights the parallel lives in the world we live in. As living creatures, wasps and humans alike seek a sanctuary, a place of peace that is set through the melancholic tone of the poem. Rosenberg applies the use of various literary devices in the poem to convey the message of the poem where we should all strive in overcoming our own obstacles to make the most out of our life. Furthermore even though life is fragile, through the bonds we make and the love that we come to share, life is worth living and it is easier to survive.