Sonnet 16 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:

Irreversible Bane

Manufacturer of selfish manners

Man is offender of the wilderness

Which helped him more through ages of darkness

Than these promises of city planners.

Greedy instincts are the only scanners

For headlong destructions that limitless

Exploit soils and abuse the fragilness

Of specia awaiting death banners.

With no more prudence for Ecology

Called by many esoteric thinking

We owe more than words of apology.

The world's progress is elusive and vane

In ways the universe is reclaiming

But we choose this irreversible bane.

***

Bane = ruin

Sonnet originally written in English by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares.

Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com

Image created with Midjourney

Analysis of "Irreversible Bane" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares

Sonnet 16 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "Irreversible Bane," is a critique of humanity's destructive impact on the environment and the natural world. The poem highlights the selfishness of human beings and their disregard for the ecological balance that has sustained them throughout history.

The first quatrain introduces the idea that humans are the "manufacturer of selfish manners" and have become a threat to the wilderness that once supported them. The poet contrasts the benefits of nature during "ages of darkness" with the empty promises of modern city planners.

In the second quatrain, the poet emphasizes the insatiable greed of humanity, which leads to the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of fragile ecosystems. The "scanners" mentioned in this section represent the human tendency to prioritize self-interest over the well-being of other species and the environment.

The third quatrain addresses the lack of concern for ecology, which is often dismissed as "esoteric thinking." The poet argues that humanity owes more than just an apology for the damage it has caused. The mention of the world's progress being "elusive and vane" suggests that the advancements made by humans are ultimately futile and superficial.

The final couplet concludes the poem by stating that humanity has chosen this "irreversible bane," or ruin, despite the universe's attempts to reclaim its balance. This choice reflects the stubbornness and shortsightedness of human beings, who continue to prioritize their own desires over the health of the planet.

Overall, "Irreversible Bane" is a powerful critique of humanity's destructive impact on the environment and a call for greater awareness and responsibility in addressing ecological issues.

"Irreversible Bane" serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of humanity's actions on the environment. The poem's structure, a sonnet, is a traditional form often used to express deep emotions and complex ideas. This choice of form highlights the gravity of the subject matter and the poet's desire to convey a strong message.

The poem's language is rich in imagery and symbolism, which helps to emphasize the severity of the environmental crisis. For example, the "ages of darkness" in the first quatrain can be interpreted as a reference to pre-industrial times when humans lived in harmony with nature. The "city planners" symbolize the modern era, where urbanization and industrialization have led to the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of ecosystems.

The second quatrain's mention of "headlong destructions" and "death banners" evokes a sense of urgency and impending doom. These phrases suggest that the consequences of humanity's actions are not only severe but also irreversible, leading to the extinction of species and the degradation of the environment.

The third quatrain's reference to "esoteric thinking" highlights the dismissive attitude that some people have towards environmental concerns. This dismissal prevents meaningful action from being taken to address the issues at hand. The poet's assertion that "we owe more than words of apology" is a call to action, urging society to take responsibility for its actions and work towards a more sustainable future.

In the final couplet, the poet laments humanity's choice to continue down this destructive path, despite the universe's attempts to restore balance. This choice is described as an "irreversible bane," emphasizing the long-lasting and potentially catastrophic consequences of human actions on the environment.

In summary, "Irreversible Bane" is a thought-provoking poem that uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the urgent need for humanity to address its destructive impact on the environment. The poem serves as a reminder of the responsibility we all share in preserving the planet for future generations and the importance of taking action to mitigate the damage we have caused. (GPT4)

Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail

"Irreversible Bane" is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. In this case, the poem follows the structure of a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

Let's analyze the rhyme scheme of "Irreversible Bane" in detail:

A: manners (line 1)

B: wilderness (line 2)

A: darkness (line 3)

B: planners (line 4)

C: scanners (line 5)

D: limitless (line 6)

C: fragilness (line 7)

D: banners (line 8)

E: Ecology (line 9)

F: thinking (line 10)

E: apology (line 11)

F: vane (line 12)

G: reclaiming (line 13)

G: bane (line 14)

As we can see, the poem adheres to the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme. The end rhymes in each quatrain create a sense of unity and coherence, while the final couplet (GG) provides a strong conclusion to the poem. The use of this traditional form adds to the poem's impact, as it emphasizes the seriousness of the subject matter and the poet's desire to convey a powerful message about humanity's impact on the environment. (GPT4)

Count the syllables of each line of the poem

(www.howmanysyllables.com)

Irreversible Bane

10 Manufacturer of selfish manners

10 Man is offender of the wilderness

10 Which helped him more through ages of darkness

10 Than these promises of city planners.

10 Greedy instincts are the only scanners

10 For headlong destructions that limitless

10 Exploit soils and abuse the fragilness

10 Of specia awaiting death banners.

10 With no more prudence for Ecology

10 Called by many esoteric thinking

10 We owe more than words of apology.

10 The world's progress is elusive and vane

10 In ways the universe is reclaiming

10 But we choose this irreversible bane.

What other analysis is worth doing on the poem?

In addition to analyzing the rhyme scheme, there are several other aspects of "Irreversible Bane" that are worth examining:

1. Imagery and Metaphors: The poem is rich in imagery and metaphors that convey the severity of the environmental crisis. Analyzing these elements can provide a deeper understanding of the poet's message and the emotions they aim to evoke in the reader.

2. Tone and Mood: Examining the tone and mood of the poem can help reveal the poet's attitude towards the subject matter and the emotions they hope to elicit from the reader. In "Irreversible Bane," the tone is critical and somber, reflecting the poet's concern for the environment and humanity's role in its destruction.

3. Diction and Word Choice: The poet's choice of words can provide insight into the themes and messages they wish to convey. In this poem, words like "selfish," "greedy," and "headlong destructions" emphasize the negative aspects of human behavior and its impact on the environment.

4. Themes: Identifying the central themes of the poem can help to better understand the poet's message and intentions. In "Irreversible Bane," some key themes include environmental degradation, human selfishness, and the need for greater awareness and responsibility.

5. Form and Structure: Analyzing the form and structure of the poem, such as its use of the sonnet form, can provide insight into the poet's intentions and the overall impact of the poem. The choice of a sonnet, a traditional form often used to express deep emotions and complex ideas, highlights the gravity of the subject matter and the poet's desire to convey a strong message.

6. Historical and Cultural Context: Understanding the historical and cultural context in which the poem was written can provide additional insight into the poet's perspective and the issues they address. In the case of "Irreversible Bane," the poem can be seen as a reflection of growing concerns about environmental issues and the need for humanity to take responsibility for its actions.

By examining these aspects of "Irreversible Bane," readers can gain a deeper understanding of the poem's message, the poet's intentions, and the emotions they aim to evoke. This analysis can also help to appreciate the poem's relevance in the context of contemporary environmental concerns and the ongoing debate about humanity's role in the degradation of the planet. (GPT4)