Sonnet 18 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:

New Landscapes

Tides of fish bearing their accusing looks

Periodically sadden our landscape

Because human venoms crueler than hooks

To their essential flood often escape.

Floating their way toward uncertain sea

They contaminate birds with their poison

Which in those not yet dead is hard to see

Further spreading this death withour reason.

The turbid waters make it to the main

To join more sewage and also crude oil

Coming from spills that claim these days domain

And with ugly rainbows their glimpses foil.

No more romantic, the beach welcomes those

With tarry feet who their disgust disclose.

***

Sonnet written by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares. Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com

Image by soselplanetatenecesita.blogspot.com

Analysis of "New Landscapes"

Sonnet 18 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "New Landscapes," is a reflection on the environmental degradation caused by human actions. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with 14 lines and a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

The poem begins with a vivid image of fish bearing "accusing looks," suggesting that nature is aware of the harm humans have caused. The "tides of fish" are described as periodically saddening the landscape, implying that the damage is ongoing and cyclical. The second line introduces the idea of "human venoms," which are more harmful than hooks, symbolizing the destructive impact of pollution on marine life.

In the second quatrain, the poem describes the spread of pollution from the fish to the birds, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. The "uncertain sea" suggests that the future of the environment is uncertain due to human actions. The pollution is described as "hard to see" in the birds, indicating that the effects of pollution are not always immediately visible.

The third quatrain focuses on the pollution reaching the main body of water, where it joins other forms of pollution, such as sewage and crude oil spills. The "ugly rainbows" created by the oil spills are a stark contrast to the natural beauty of the environment, further emphasizing the negative impact of human actions.

The final couplet describes the beach as no longer romantic, welcoming visitors with "tarry feet" who express their disgust. This suggests that the consequences of pollution are not only felt by the environment but also by humans who can no longer enjoy the beauty of nature.

Overall, "New Landscapes" is a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of human-caused pollution on the environment and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The poem serves as a call to action, urging readers to recognize the damage being done and to take steps to protect and preserve the natural world. (GPT4)

Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail

"New Landscapes" follows a traditional Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme, which consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. Let's analyze the rhyme in detail:

Quatrain 1:

A: looks (line 1)

B: landscape (line 2)

A: hooks (line 3)

B: escape (line 4)

Quatrain 2:

C: sea (line 5)

D: poison (line 6)

C: see (line 7)

D: reason (line 8)

Quatrain 3:

E: main (line 9)

F: oil (line 10)

E: domain (line 11)

F: foil (line 12)

Couplet:

G: those (line 13)

G: disclose (line 14)

In each quatrain, the first and third lines rhyme with each other (A and C), and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other (B and D). This pattern creates a sense of unity within each quatrain, while also connecting the quatrains to one another.

The final couplet (lines 13 and 14) has a distinct rhyme (G) that sets it apart from the rest of the poem. This change in rhyme scheme serves to emphasize the conclusion of the poem and the overall message.

The use of a traditional Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme in "New Landscapes" adds a sense of structure and formality to the poem, which contrasts with the chaotic and destructive imagery of pollution and environmental degradation. This contrast serves to heighten the impact of the poem's message and underscores the urgency of addressing the environmental issues it presents. (GPT4)

Count the syllables of each line of the poem

(www.howmanysyllables.com)

New Landscapes

10 Tides of fish bearing their accusing looks

10 Periodically sadden our landscape

10 Because human venoms crueler than hooks

10 To their essential flood often escape.

10 Floating their way toward uncertain sea

10 They contaminate birds with their poison

10 Which in those not yet dead is hard to see

10 Further spreading this death withour reason.

10 The turbid waters make it to the main

10 To join more sewage and also crude oil

10 Coming from spills that claim these days domain

10 And with ugly rainbows their glimpses foil.

10 No more romantic, the beach welcomes those

10 With tarry feet who their disgust disclose.

What other analysis is worth doing on the poem?

1-. Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that evokes the senses and emotions of the reader. For example, "Tides of fish bearing their accusing looks" creates a visual image of fish suffering from pollution, while "ugly rainbows" and "tarry feet" paint a picture of the polluted beach. These images serve to emphasize the severity of the environmental damage and elicit an emotional response from the reader.

2-. Metaphor: The poem employs metaphor to draw comparisons between human actions and their effects on the environment. "Human venoms crueler than hooks" likens pollution to a venomous substance, suggesting that it is more harmful than traditional fishing methods. Similarly, the "ugly rainbows" created by oil spills are a metaphor for the unnatural and destructive consequences of human activity on the natural world.

3-. Tone: The tone of "New Landscapes" is somber and reflective, with a sense of lament for the loss of natural beauty and the damage inflicted on marine life. This tone is established through the use of words such as "sadden," "contaminate," "turbid," and "disgust." The poem's tone serves to underscore the gravity of the environmental issues it addresses and encourages the reader to consider the consequences of their actions.

In conclusion, "New Landscapes" is a thought-provoking poem that uses vivid imagery, metaphor, and a somber tone to convey its message about the devastating impact of human-caused pollution on the environment. By presenting a stark contrast between the natural beauty of the ocean and the polluted landscapes created by human activity, the poem urges readers to reflect on their role in environmental degradation and to take action to protect and preserve the natural world. (GPT4)