Enemy Friend - Penny Rock
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Penny
Rock’s challenging representation of war was shaped by her experience. Penny
was a nurse in the Vietnam War and she described it as, ‘nursing in Vietnam was
the seven levels of hell.’ (Penny Rock, Jamesacker.Info) From nursing she went
on to become a worker in the health and human services sector. Rock’s poems
relate personally to her experiences in the hospital wards at war. “Enemy
Friends” is a perfect example of one of her experiences. She shows this in her
use of poetic devices. The poems tone is respectful and friendly, giving off the impression that war wasn't bad but she later challenges this impression when she uses irony. The emotions
given out are forgiveness, defeat and peace. Her use of rhyme allows the poem
to flow evenly and clearly. ‘I kneel here before you/ Your eyes filled with
sorrow/You can wound me or kill me/ Or let me live till tomorrow.’ Sorrow and
tomorrow are the rhyming words.
Rock’s use of symbolism really confronts the reader to think. ‘I offer my hand.’ Offering your hand to someone is a symbol of truce, respect, peace and help. In this poem in particular it’s used as a sign of peace – a peace offering. Also, ‘It was an act of pure courage.’ Courage is a symbol of being brave in war – you are courageous if you fight and kill. But in this context letting your enemy free is courageous. This is believed to be real courage. This challenges the idea of war that many individuals have come to create. Rock’s use of irony really challenges the image of war also. ‘I mean no harm or malice/ To your people or land.’ The poet says this yet he’s in a war where he’s been causing harm and malice to the ‘enemies’ land. Yet he’s gives the impression he doesn't want to. Also, ‘My brother/ My keeper/ My saviour/ My friend.’ This line is ironic because the two men are at war yet the poet is relating to his ‘enemy’ as his friend. As if, if the circumstances were different he would be defending him. Its Rock’s use of personification that really helps set the scene. ‘And I’m numb from the fear/ That cuts us in two.’ Fear cannot cut through anything, but when it’s given that characteristic it helps feel the raw emotion that the men feel. ‘My fate’s in your hands,’ it helps to feel the helplessness of the poet, because fate cannot be held. But when it’s given the ability to, it enhances the emotion portrayed. |