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i don't pay attention to the
world ending. it has ended for me many times and began again in the morning. —untitled, Nayirrah Waheed In this untitled poem by Nayirrah Waheed, the concept of suffering is explored through Waheed’s portrayal of her incessant apocalypses, or the “world ending.” She demands the necessity of moxie in survival; Waheed presents a brief summary of her life (or rather, the beginnings and endings of it), using figurative language and rhythm to affect the reader’s emotions. Waheed capitalizes on empathy, attempting to elicit it for her oppression to display her suffering to the reader. Waheed’s persistence, as illustrated through hyperbole—the world “has ended [...] many times”—proves a point to the audience that she is stronger than any other group of people. Crass assumptions made about women as being overly sensitive are dismissed through the untold sufferings that are endured. Waheed seems to humbly say (not boast, but rather diligently prove a point) that she is taking on more than others ever have or will—just suck it up and keep on. This poem could be related back to gender and race because this is what Waheed’s work largely centers around. Or, if this poem is meant to be interpreted on a more personal level, it represents the depth of suffering and mistreatment she has faced. The world ends every night for her; but every day is not the dreadful beginning of new cataclysmic rotation only doomed to fall to ruin, but rather a fresh start. She “doesn't pay attention” to the ending of the world, because it will begin again “in the morning.” This suggests that the nighttime embodies the consternation that accompanies an apocalypse. What could the night represent? It's not cynicism. Waheed’s continual cycles of personal Armageddons work to make her oblivious to minor setbacks. It is only when the morning does not begin again that deserves to provoke worry. She seems to tell the reader not to fret over the small stuff: “don't pay attention” to the world ending, only to mornings not renewing. I am trying so hard to think of more stuff to write for such a short poem without repeating everything I've already said in other posts. This is all I've got #ThanksWaheed
1 Comment
Eric M
3/8/2017 08:00:45 am
I really enjoyed reading your analysis on this poem. Upon first reading it I first had the initial thought that you had about it being about not giving up and to keep pushing forward, but i enjoyed how you touched on how it could mean other things .
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AuthorJosie Kremer Archives
January 2017
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