On+Originality

The clichéd ideas that I can pick out seem to be dramatic romantic poems (heroes kill themselves and such,) love poems about sex or intimacy, maybe also nature poems but from here on I am not quite sure. The natural theme seems to be quite prominent in this poem, with him using as a metaphor for chasing the other poets out of their comfort zones regarding their writing and it also appearing in the last line with 'lyrical foliage' being his next weapon. The 'lyrical foliage' seems to represent the words or verses in his repertoire that are original and could "kill" the others' unoriginal poems. I am not quite sure what he is talking about when he slides 'a gun into the gun'. Can anyone clarify this please? - Abby

In my opinion in "I slide a gun into the gun", the repetition of "gun" symbolizes the increase in weaponary for the poet, like he is upgrading or getting more to use to "take care of" the "next" one. He then says "This is my next of weapons" emphasizing the 'increase in weaponary' idea, he is using the poem as a threat to other "poets" who write in the style he dislikes. Although for the literal meaning of sliding a gun into a gun I'm nto quite sure, I think the guns are used more a symbols, but if it was a literal interpretation I would say that it is like when you put two guns together to form a bigger gun? I'm not sure. -Theon

I agree with Theon, but I think it is more in the symbolic sense than literal. II also picked up on how the author was attacking unorginal authors and he seemed so casual about it, like it was so normal, his even made 'progress'. I felt the methods of killing were very descriptive and literal, sometimes quite disturbing - 'drill a clean hole in his forhead', this makes the killings seem more real. Also he was 'moved' by one of his victims poetry - i got a bit confused here, like if he's attacking this guy on his unorginality why is he moved by it? Got a tad confused by this one. -Izzy

I agree with abby's idea in the sense that his lyrical foilage seems to represent his "killing" of other peoples unoriginal poems on generic topics. it is as if he is making fun of the other poets in his own special style. I really like this poem as it portrays this idea in a very creative and interesting idea and it makes the poem seem more effective for it. David

I think that the line where he says "now I slide a gun into a gun..." just refers to the kind of guns that have separate attachments to alter a certain aspect of a gun, sometimes this attachment is even just an eye piece. I too agree this poem ismore symbolic than literal and each stanza is a very vivid and descriptive way of describing the methods of killing that are carried out creating great imagery throughout. - Lu'isa

Translation: Bill Manhire is sick of poems about young love and crap. Stanza 3; 'There is a man who loves a woman'. Bill Manhire: 'Your poetry smells like death.' Stanza 4; 'A man moves over to caress a girl'. Bill Manhire: 'Not on my watch!'. and then he stabs him. the words 'Each work is another bruise' relates again to how he feels about the unoriginal junk which poets are spouting. He is an assassin, defending the awesomeness of poetry. 'This is progress'. - Jacob

Right from the beginning there is a very voyeuristic style in which the poem is written, '...I want to follow them all...' and there is repeated use of negative language and violent imagery-throttle, dagger, fresh corpse. However, this imagery is contrasted with Manhire's pairing of calm or nonchalant phrases.For example he 'hums a melody' as he slips a blade between the poets ribs. And on the bank of a river-water is conotated with calmness-he drills a hole into another poets forehead. Because he can be so violent yet calm at the same time I think it is Manhire's way of venting, he doesn't like the clichéd poems that young poets seem to be writing about but at the same time knows he cannot do anything about it. Chelsea

This poem shows Bill's true feelings about unoriginal poets, as is written in the title "On Originality" the topic is quickly addressed. For each of the four people that Bill feels are writing on Cleche themes he puts them to their end quite quickly. He is harsh but not without admiration for some works of art. Although the theme of the poem may be rubbish in his view, the way it is portrayed can still be beautiful, as is evident in the fourth kill he makes in stanza 7. An interesting poem, although it seems slightly unorginal in itself, which is rather ironic. Manhire has showed his view on the so called unoriginal themes of other poets but fails to introduce a theme of his own. Just a thought. James

Disgusting and horrifying images are definitely brought up when Manhire assassinates his victims. E.g. "I slip the blade between his ribs" and "I drill a clean hole in his forehead". However Manhire views it as a beautiful thing, "humming a melody I take his gun", and each assassination is taken so casually which is a clear contrast to the images and assassination itself. I also think this was used to illustrate Manhire's true disgust for unoriginal poets. "I put his wallet in a plain envelope and mail it to the widow" is an act of insult, rubbing salt into the wound, thus further shows how Manhire's dislikes them. -Winstan