By: Lenrie Peters
This poem, titled Fence, by Lenrie Peters, explores the divisive nature of fences and walls, delving into the complexities they introduce and the consequences of their existence.
Verse 1:
They run like snakes
Through the city of my life,
These concrete fences,
These barbed-wire fences,
Dividing, cutting,
Separating, isolating,
Imprisoning, strangulating,
Destroying.
Analysis:
- The poem begins with a strong visual imagery of fences likened to snakes, slithering through the urban landscape of the speaker's life.
- The use of words like "cutting," "separating," and "isolating" emphasizes the detrimental impact these fences have on the city and its residents.
Verse 2:
Fences between neighbours,
Fences between friends,
Fences between father and son,
Fences between mother and daughter,
Fences between lovers,
Fences between man and wife.
Analysis:
- This verse shifts the focus to the personal and intimate spaces, highlighting how fences can disrupt even the closest human relationships.
- By referencing various family dynamics and intimate connections, the poem underscores the pervasive and destructive nature of divisions.
Verse 3:
Behind these fences
Life withers away,
Love withers away,
Hope withers away,
Dreams wither away,
The human spirit withers away.
Analysis:
- The metaphor of withering away showcases the negative consequences of these barriers, depicting a gradual decay and loss of vitality.
- It suggests that the presence of fences not only hinders growth but also suffocates the essence of life and human potential.
Verse 4:
Oh, these fences,
These barriers,
These walls,
They are the enemy of life,
They are the enemy of love,
They are the enemy of hope,
They are the enemy of dreams,
They are the enemy of the human spirit.
Analysis:
- In this verse, the speaker strongly denounces fences and walls as adversaries to the fundamental elements of human existence, directly labeling them as enemies.
- The repetition of the phrase "they are the enemy" emphasizes the intense opposition to these physical and metaphorical obstacles.
Verse 5:
Let us tear them down,
Let us break them down,
Let us destroy them,
Let us remove them,
Let us obliterate them,
Let us erase them,
Let us annihilate them,
And let freedom reign!
Analysis:
- The final verse conveys a sense of urgency, urging the removal and eradication of these fences.
- The use of emphatic verbs such as tear down, break down, and destroy emphasizes the speaker's determination to dismantle these barriers and reclaim freedom.
- The poem ends with a powerful affirmation of liberation, offering hope for a future without these oppressive divisions.
Overall, Fence by Lenrie Peters serves as a poignant critique of the harmful consequences of physical and metaphorical barriers within society, urging readers to reflect on the negative impacts they have on human life and relationships. Through vivid imagery and strong convictions, the poem calls for the demolition of these divisions in favor of a more united and harmonious society.