Reflections of my lover dancing on the frozen lake echoed every night on the walls of the grey scullery.
The Ice Queen watched each pirouette and veil cast until enraged by the neon sunshine stood and speared the screen twice. Spring arrived and with her
first swallow my lover's passions
lay wild on the sawdust floor.
She flies with white doves on the edge of a faded mirror until she embraces Snow White in a field of blood-red poppies.
Holding her like the Holy
Crucifix she takes her on a journey into a world of narrow fires until they shiver in the heat and scream for mercy.
Enchanted by such a wondrous
spectacle I anchor my yellow
boat on a mound of melting ice and indulge in this daring love story.
We listen to the sermons of a wise
sage, and dancing to the songs of eastern
troubadours we hail the return of Happy
floating on a cloud of purple haze.
A few words about the poem…
Unveiling Societal Constructs in “Looking for Snow White” | A Coming-of-Age Poem
In the realm of surrealist poetry, the coming-of-age poem "Looking for Snow White" stands as a nuanced exploration of the journey from youth to maturity, scrutinizing the societal expectations imposed on the individual. Τhis introduction endeavours to dissect the poem, delving into its surrealist elements and situating them within the broader context of surrealism in poetry.
The verses commence with a vivid depiction of the poet’s lover's reflections dancing on a frozen lake, setting the stage for a narrative that unfolds in a surrealist tapestry. The frozen lake, a metaphorical stage, becomes a symbolic representation of the constraints and rigidity of societal norms. The lover's reflections echo on its surface, suggesting the repetitive nature of such expectations that reverberate through one's formative years.
The Ice Queen, a fantastical figure, watches the lover's dance with a critical eye, embodying the societal gaze that scrutinizes and judges. The neon sunshine, enraged by the unconventional dance, further emphasizes the clash between individuality and the norm. This surrealist portrayal serves as a metaphor for the pressures exerted on young people to conform to expectations, even when pursuing personal passions.
As the narrative progresses into spring, a season traditionally associated with renewal and growth, the lover's passions lay wild on the sawdust floor. This transition marks the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood, where societal expectations clash with individual desires. The mention of a faded mirror and the embrace of Snow White in a field of blood-red poppies introduce surrealistic imagery that symbolizes the distorted reflections of self and the allure of preset ideals.
The Holy Crucifix becomes a potent symbol, signalling the imposition of values on the lover's journey. The narrow fires and the plea for mercy evoke a surreal landscape of internal conflicts and the struggle to conform. The yellow boat anchored on melting ice symbolizes the fragility of existing structures and the pursuit of happiness and daring love, creating a surreal juxtaposition of stability and instability.
In surrealist tradition, the poem unfolds like a dream, embracing unconventional associations and juxtapositions. The sermons of a wise sage, the songs of an eastern troubadour, and the return of Happy floating on a cloud of purple haze contribute to the dreamlike quality. The marmalade flower in the sky adds another layer of surrealism, creating a sense of the fantastical and the otherworldly.
In the final moments, gratitude is expressed for Happy's cigarette, symbolizing a shared moment of rebellion and camaraderie. The poem, while navigating through surreal landscapes, ultimately reflects the resilience of individuality in the face of societal pressures.
In conclusion, "Looking for Snow White" employs surrealist elements to dissect the pressures on young individuals navigating the journey from youth to maturity. The frozen lake, the Ice Queen, and the surreal imagery serve as powerful metaphors, offering a poignant commentary on the clash between personal desires and general expectations. The poem, in its surrealist tapestry, invites readers to contemplate the complexities of growing up in a world that often demands conformity.
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