T.M. Shorewick’s poem, “The Designer of Musical Power” displays a distinct and intriguing structure that contributes significantly to its meaning and impact. Here’s a breakdown of its key structural elements and their effects:
1. Irregular Stanza Lengths and Line Breaks:
- The most immediately noticeable structural feature is the varying length of the stanzas and the seemingly erratic line breaks. There’s no consistent rhyme scheme or meter, placing it firmly in the realm of free verse.
- Effect: This irregularity creates a sense of natural speech and thought, mirroring the flow of consciousness. It prevents the poem from feeling rigid or forced, allowing the ideas to unfold organically. The short lines, particularly in the opening, create a deliberate, almost meditative pace, encouraging the reader to absorb each phrase.
2. Enjambment and Flow:
- Shorewick utilizes enjambment frequently, where lines flow into one another without a grammatical pause. This is evident in lines like “Then slide / Just to see / The instructor.”
- Effect: Enjambment creates a continuous movement, pulling the reader from one line to the next. It reinforces the idea of a “rising tide / Of musical power” and the continuous journey of self-discovery and learning that the poem describes. It also allows for surprising connections and emphasizes certain words by placing them at the beginning or end of a line.
3. Repetition and Parallelism:
- While not overtly repetitive, there’s a subtle parallelism in the opening lines (“Hear all sounds / As if you’re a foreigner / Especially those / You heard at birth”). This sets up a particular way of listening.
- Effect: This subtle echoing establishes a theme of conscious engagement with the familiar, urging a fresh perspective.
4. Shifting Imagery and Sensory Focus:
- The poem moves from auditory imagery (“Hear all sounds”) to kinesthetic (“throw / Out your arms,” “slide”) and then back to a more abstract understanding (“Ultimately know / The depth”).
- Effect: This progression of imagery guides the reader through a multi-sensory experience, emphasizing the holistic nature of the instruction being conveyed. The shift from outward action to inward knowing is a key thematic journey.
5. Direct Address and Imperatives:
- The poem uses direct address (“you’re a foreigner,” “you heard,” “lets you grow”) and imperative verbs (“Hear,” “Do so,” “throw,” “Then slide”).
- Effect: This makes the poem feel like an instruction or a meditation guide. The reader is actively engaged and invited to participate in the experience the poem describes.
6. Culminating Revelation:
- The structure builds towards a culminating revelation: “Ultimately know / The depth / From which grows / The designer / Without bounds.”
- Effect: The gradual unfolding of the poem’s instructions and observations prepares the reader for this profound conclusion. The short, impactful lines here create a sense of gravitas and finality, emphasizing the ultimate understanding being reached.
Overall Impression:
The structure of T.M. Shorewick’s “Hear all sounds” is fluid, organic, and intentional. It serves to:
- Mimic the process of mindful listening and artistic expression: The poem’s form reflects its content, much like a conductor’s movements guiding an orchestra.
- Guide the reader through a contemplative journey: The pauses, flows, and shifts in imagery encourage introspection and a deeper engagement with the poem’s themes.
- Emphasize key concepts: The strategic line breaks and enjambment draw attention to crucial words and phrases.
- Create a sense of personal instruction: The direct address and imperative mood make the poem feel like a direct message to the reader.
Ultimately, the poem’s unconventional structure is a strength, allowing it to convey its profound message about perception, growth, and the boundless nature of creation in a truly immersive and thought-provoking way.
T. M. Shorewick 