"The Myth of Music" By Rachel M. Harper Poetry Analysis
Rachel M. Harper's Poem "The Myth of Music" is a collection of complex memories portrayed through the lens of music.
With picturesque metaphors, tone and form, Harper creates a beautiful and nostalgic sequence of events. These techniques enhance her memories and melodies have solidified her timeline.
The first stanza is packed with metaphorical images assisting the reader with understanding the impact music has had on her life; represented by specific, musical symbols. The comparisons between music and memories are initiated from the first line and drawn throughout the whole piece. The first personal connection begins with the informational first line, "If music can be passed on like brown eyes ... this melody is my inheritance"(Harper, line 1-4). These metaphors that are paired with evident imagery create a personal connection and an almost "in medias res" (putting the reader right in the story), narrative feel to the first stanza.
The poem is written in three stanzas with three specifics breaks. These "sections" of the poem are different stories or individual memories. The flow of time from "songs without lyrics can still be sung" to "my mother is 2,000 miles away, deciding if she wants to come home" (line 25-29) is seamless because of the organization and syntax, chosen by the author. Within the poem, a steady, song-like rhythm is established; symbolic of the myths of music. Music has held her memories, but morphed them into positives despite the events. Harper uses enjambment to solidify the lyrics into a melodic feel. This technique, "I don't know I'm listening, -- don't know I'm singing" (line 21-22) is ironic to the title and theme, since the whole poem the speaker is attempting to convince the reader of the lies that music tells, while she herself is creating a song.
The three sections have drastically different tones, packing an intense amount of emotion into a 54 line poem. The first is nostalgic and reminiscent of her childhood with "[her] brother dealing cards from an incomplete deck"(line 14-15). While they listen to music, they are playing from a deck with less than 52 cards, but not knowing the difference; enjoying themselves anyway. The second is an introduction to her mother's absence. This betrayal isn't angry more than it is longing, "I will have forgotten this moment, the security of her footsteps" (line 30-32). The speaker has lost her form of safety, leaving her vulnerable to the world. Not only has her mother left, but music has betrayed her, as well. Though music has forgotten to tell her there are troubling times, in the last stanza she is defending it. This protective air, "They lied with they say music is universal - this is my song" (line 48-49), turns to self-empowerment and independence. The connection that she makes between music, her father, and her is intimate and admirable. These three tones meld together to create complex series of emotions that link the reader and speaker to one moment.
Rachel M. Harper illustrates her struggle to abhor music - ultimately failing and falling deeper in love - with complex metaphors, form and tones. Music is not a myth nor a truth. The neutrality simply augment and archive reality and experiences.
- Ellie Casterline (2018)