Nonsense Verse Poem: Words

Bambang Kustriadi, an English teacher from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, analyzes a nonsense verse poem entitling Words. He argues that the meaning of the poem is very important for someone, with good words we will become a good person, also on the contrary. The poem is suitable for students in MTs/SMP because the language is simple, easy to understand and full of meaning.

Words

By Alan Maley

Some words are happy and others are sad.

Some words are perfumed and others smell bad.

Some words are open and some words are sly.

Some words are slimy and others are dry.

Some words are cold and some words are hot.

Some words are tender and others are not.

Some words are honest but others words cheat.

Some words are bitter, while others are sweet.

Some words move quickly; some words move slow.

Some words are shrinking, while some others grow.

Some words we use little and some quite a lot.

Some words are remembered, and others……forgot.

1.  Alan Maley worked for The British Council from 1962-1988, serving as English Language Officer in Yugoslavia, Ghana, Italy, France, and China, and as regional Representative in south India (Madras). From 1988 to 1993 he was Director-General of the Bell Educational Trust, Cambridge. He is currently Senior Fellow in the Department of English Language and Literature of the National University of Singapore.

2.  Poetic devices

     a.  Rhyme scheme:  a-a-b-b-c-c-d-d-e-e-c-c

     b.  Rhythm

     c.  Alliteration: there is no alliteration in this poem.

     c.  Onomatopoeia:  the poets does not use onomatopoeia in this poem

     d.  Repetition:  We can find repetition in this poem. It is shown in the line 1-12: some words are…

     e.  Comparison: There is no comparison in this poem.

3.  Poetic diction:

     a.  Denotation: All words used are denotation meaning, the words are concise and easy to understand.

     b.  Irony: all the sentences use in this poem is irony.

     c.  Tone: Hesitation.

4.  Content:

     a.  Theme: meaning of words.

     b. Message: we should use good words to talk.

     c. Symbol: Words. It is symbolized of personal.

5.  Comment:

     The meaning of the poem is very important for someone, with good words we will become a good person, also on the contrary. This poem is suitable for students in MTs/SMP because the language is simple, easy to understand and full of meaning.