Game Winning Poetry By. Amanda Bird

By. Amanda Bird

      The ability to make a common subject original and compelling allows the reader to be involved in the poem through personal connections. Poet, Matt Robinson born in Halifax Nova Scotia writes his poetry based on passionate life experiences. Letters to a Young Poet by Maria Rainer Rilke has many suggestions about writing a good poem: things to avoid and advice for a poet that advises a reader what to look for. Robinson’s book of poetry, Tracery & Interplay meets the requirements of passionate and personal through exploring the life of a hockey lover and his days spent in the rink.

   I found the poem, Zamboni Driver’s Lament most relatable and inventive. It takes the everyday occurrence of a zamboni driver in a hockey rink and adds personal connotations, “your kids have, i’m sure/ wasted –all early morning anxious / and weak-ankled—their first impatient /shuffle-kicks and curses on me” (Robinson, 2004). The narrative we represents the idea that others have experienced similar events. Imagery and metaphors are presented for the reader to relate and visualize (Robinson, 2004).  As Rilke from Letters to a Young Poet explains, Robinson has the ability to present “hidden beginnings of something personal” through his easy-to-read word choices and metaphors representing his passion for hockey. Robinson takes overused subject and takes a risk in hope of developing a poem with relative meaning, “To go into yourself and test the deeps in which your life takes rise” (Rilke, 1993).  Rilke goes on to give advise the poets as to what others want to read, “Then try, like some first human being, to say what you see and experience and love and lose” (1993). Robinson states what he sees, which others neglect to say, “i can assure/ you—go down each night; the scoreboard’s bulbs snap and flicker, then die. but the ice it seems will always be there:” By revealing truth, meaning is explored. We all grow up but the things that we have emphasized with meaning will always be there. Robinson’s poem, Zamboni Driver’s Lament is full of truth and explores a story full of imagery to create a relationship between the poet and his readers. 

    I believe that when a poet writes on a comparative subject, uses figurative language, avoids clichés, uses personal narratives, takes risks and writes for the love of writing, then the poem will breathe on its own.  Robinson does well to exemplify these items in a poem he evidently is very passionate about, “because i am always, when push comes to shove, behind glass/--seated, and away” he has given the audience his personal experience and now all Robinson can do is watch and cheer.