Sonnet 20 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:
The Black Fogs
With those altars of destruction rising
I see shadows of civilization
While citied ways ask for consummation
Forgetting black fogs they are inviting.
To our pride this does not seem surprising
They grow deadlier without description
Aggravating for life the condition
As evil powers keep their devising.
Their climax is a phantom mushroom cloud
Constantly building in its depths a war
Without a significant obstacle.
No merciful pleas have been cried aloud
The struggle for control is just a door
While Gaia is led toward debacle. 14
***
14-. Gaia= earth personified.
Sonnet written by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares. Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com
Image by Leonardo.ai
Analysis of "The Black Fogs"
Sonnet 20 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "The Black Fogs," is a reflection on the destructive forces of human civilization and their impact on the Earth. The poem is structured as a traditional sonnet with 14 lines, divided into an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (last six lines).
In the octave, the poet describes the rise of destructive forces, symbolized by "altars of destruction," and the shadows they cast on civilization. The "citied ways" represent urbanization and industrialization, which demand constant growth and consumption. The "black fogs" symbolize pollution and environmental degradation, which are consequences of this relentless pursuit of progress. The poet notes that humanity's pride blinds them to the dangers of these destructive forces, which continue to grow more deadly and threaten life on Earth.
In the sestet, the poet introduces the image of a "phantom mushroom cloud," which represents the looming threat of nuclear war. This constant buildup of tension and conflict is described as having no significant obstacle, suggesting that humanity is on a path towards self-destruction. The poet laments that no one has cried out for mercy or tried to stop this destructive course. The struggle for control and power is depicted as a mere doorway, leading the Earth, personified as Gaia, towards a disastrous end.
Overall, the sonnet serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of human ambition and the potential for self-destruction. It calls for a greater awareness of the impact of our actions on the environment and the need for a more sustainable and compassionate approach to progress.
"Sonnet 20: The Black Fogs" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares can be further analyzed by examining its themes, imagery, and form.
Themes:
1. Environmental degradation: The poem highlights negative consequences of human activities on the environment, such as pollution and resource depletion. The "black fogs" symbolize the harmful effects of industrialization and urbanization on the Earth.
2. Human pride and hubris: The poet emphasizes humanity's arrogance and lack of concern for the environment. This pride prevents people from recognizing the dangers of their actions and leads to a continued pursuit of destructive progress.
3. War and conflict: The "phantom mushroom cloud" represents the ever-present threat of nuclear war, which could lead to catastrophic consequences for the Earth and its inhabitants. The poem suggests that humanity's struggle for power and control is a significant factor in pushing the world towards disaster.
Imagery:
1. Altars of destruction: This metaphor suggests that human civilization has built monuments to its own demise, as the pursuit of progress leads to environmental destruction.
2. Phantom mushroom cloud: This image evokes the terrifying specter of nuclear war, which looms over humanity as a constant threat.
3. Gaia: The personification of the Earth as Gaia, a Greek goddess, emphasizes the vulnerability of the planet and its living beings in the face of human actions.
Form:
The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, a traditional poetic structure consisting of 14 lines. The sonnet is divided into an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (last six lines), with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD. This form allows the poet to present a problem or issue in the octave and then explore its implications or propose a solution in the sestet.
In conclusion, "Sonnet 20: The Black Fogs" serves as a powerful commentary on the destructive forces of human civilization and their impact on the environment. The poem's themes, imagery, and form work together to convey a sense of urgency and a call for greater awareness and responsibility in our actions. (GPT4)
Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail
In "Sonnet 20: The Black Fogs" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, the rhyme scheme follows the pattern of a traditional Italian (Petrarchan) son. The poem is divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the last six lines), with a specific rhyme pattern for each section.
The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA:
A - rising (line 1)
B - civilization (line 2)
B - consummation (line 3)
A - inviting (line 4)
A - surprising (line 5)
B - description (line 6)
B - condition ( 7)
A - devising (line 8)
In the octave, the first and fourth lines (A) rhyme with each other, as do the fifth and eighth lines. The second and third lines (B) rhyme with each other, as do the sixth and seventh lines.
The rhyme scheme of the sestet is CDCDCD:
C - cloud (line 9)
D - war (line 10)
C - obstacle (line 11)
D - aloud (line 12)
C - door (line 13)
D - debacle (line 14)
In the sestet, the rhymes alternate between the C and D sounds. Lines 9,11, and 13 (C) rhyme with each other, and lines 10, 12, and 14 (D) rhyme with each other.
The use of the Italian sonnet form, with its distinct rhyme scheme, allows the poet to present a problem or issue in the octave and then explore its implications or propose a solution in the sestet. In "Sonnet 20: The Black Fogs," the octave focuses on the destructive forces of human civilization and their impact on the environment, while the sestet delves into the consequences of these actions, such as the threat of nuclear war and the potential for global disaster. (GPT4)
Count the syllables of each line of the poem
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
The Black Fogs
10 With those altars of destruction rising
10 I see shadows of civilization
10 While citied ways ask for consummation
10 Forgetting black fogs they are inviting.
10 To our pride this does not seem surprising
10 They grow deadlier without description
10 Aggravating for life the condition
10 As evil powers keep their devising.
10 Their climax is a phantom mushroom cloud
10 Constantly building in its depths a war
10 Without a significant obstacle.
10 No merciful pleas have been cried aloud
10 The struggle for control is just a door
10 While Gaia is led toward debacle.
***
