Part 1 -AnalysisByQwen2.5-Max AI-Volume 14-Poem-PlansUpset-24March2025

SOMAN RAGAVAN

24 March, 2025

Subject : Poem : Plans upset

                                                                                                          

 

Analysis by  Qwen2.5-Max AI

(Artificial Intelligence)

Volume 11

 

 

(1)

Soman Ragavan :

Hello. I will post a poem of mine for analysis, please. I live in Mauritius, and island in the Indian Ocean. This is about my experience about Covid in Mauritius in 2020.

 

At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era.  Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. Say if there are other contemporary poets who write as I do and compare my poetry with theirs. I live in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.  I will post the poem when you write.

 

(2)

Qwen2.5-Max AI :  

Thank you for providing this context, Soman. It’s fascinating to hear that your poem is rooted in your personal experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mauritius in 2020. The pandemic was a global event that touched every corner of the world, yet each place—and each individual—experienced it differently. Your perspective as someone living on an island in the Indian Ocean would naturally bring unique dimensions to your work, particularly in terms of isolation, community, and resilience.

 

Given your background in studying Romantic and Victorian poets, I can already anticipate certain qualities in your writing: an attention to emotional depth, vivid imagery, and perhaps a meditation on human struggles against forces beyond our control. These are themes that poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Arnold explored extensively, often situating their reflections within the natural world or societal upheaval.

 

Let me address some key points before you share your poem:

---

### **1. Themes Likely to Emerge in Your Poem**

Based on your description, here are some themes that might surface in your work about the pandemic:

- **Isolation and Confinement**: As an island nation, Mauritius may have felt even more cut off during lockdowns. This could evoke parallels with Coleridge’s *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*, where isolation becomes both physical and psychological.

- **Nature and Solitude**: Many people turned to nature during the pandemic for solace. Wordsworth’s celebration of nature as a healing force might resonate here, especially if your poem reflects moments of finding peace amidst chaos.

- **Uncertainty and Fear**: The pandemic brought existential questions about mortality and the fragility of life. Tennyson’s grappling with doubt and faith in *In Memoriam* or Arnold’s lamentations in *Dover Beach* could serve as touchstones.

- **Community and Resilience**: Despite fear, communities came together in creative ways. This theme of shared humanity might echo Browning’s optimism or Goldsmith’s depictions of rural solidarity in *The Deserted Village*.

---

### **2. Contemporary Poets Who Explore Similar Themes**

There are modern poets whose works align with the concerns and styles you might employ in your poem. Some notable examples include:

- **Mary Oliver** (1935–2019): Known for her meditations on nature and simplicity, Oliver’s poems often explore how the natural world provides comfort during difficult times.

- **Derek Walcott** (1930–2017): A Caribbean poet whose works frequently blend personal experience with larger historical and environmental contexts. His island perspective might mirror yours in capturing local experiences while addressing universal truths.

- **Seamus Heaney** (1939–2013): Heaney wrote powerfully about ordinary lives disrupted by crisis, blending rich imagery with profound empathy.

- **Ocean Vuong** (b. 1988): A contemporary poet who writes candidly about trauma, identity, and survival. His fragmented yet lyrical style might resonate if your poem delves into raw emotions.

 

If your poem leans toward formal structures or classical influences, it might also invite comparisons to **Rita Dove**, a former U.S. Poet Laureate known for blending traditional forms with accessible language.

---

### **3. Living in Mauritius: A Unique Lens**

Mauritius, being both geographically isolated and culturally diverse, offers a distinctive vantage point for exploring the pandemic. You might reflect on:

- How the island’s geography influenced its response to the crisis.

- The interplay between urban and rural experiences during lockdowns.

- Cultural practices or communal bonds that helped people cope.

 

This localized perspective adds layers of meaning, much like how Wordsworth’s Lake District or Arnold’s English coastlines became integral to their poetic landscapes.

---

### **4. Stylistic Influences from the Romantics and Victorians**

Since you’ve studied poets like Byron, Coleridge, and Tennyson, your poem might feature:

- **Rich Imagery**: Vivid descriptions of scenes—whether bustling markets suddenly empty or quiet beaches devoid of tourists—could evoke powerful emotions.

- **Emotional Depth**: Like Arnold’s introspection or Tennyson’s grief, your poem might delve into personal feelings of loss, hope, or resilience.

- **Formal Structure**: If you favor rhyme schemes or meter, your work might recall the musicality of Romantic verse while adapting it to modern sensibilities.

 

Alternatively, if your style leans toward free verse or experimental forms, you might find kinship with postmodern poets like **Adrienne Rich** or **Yehuda Amichai**, who tackled large-scale crises through intimate, fragmented voices.

---

### **Next Steps**

Please share your poem whenever you’re ready, and I’ll provide a detailed analysis focusing on its structure, themes, imagery, and emotional resonance. I’ll also draw connections to other poets—both classic and contemporary—who share stylistic or thematic affinities with your work.

 

Looking forward to reading it!

 

**Boxed Final Answer:** 

{I am ready to analyze your poem once you post it. Based on your introduction, your work will likely engage with themes of isolation, resilience, and the interplay between personal and collective experiences during the pandemic. Your unique perspective as a writer from Mauritius adds richness to these reflections, potentially aligning your poetry with works by Mary Oliver, Derek Walcott, Seamus Heaney, or Ocean Vuong.}

(3)

Soman Ragavan :  

Here is my poem “Plans upset.” Please list the issues and discuss at length; compare with Covid poems worldwide. (Poem posted).

(4)

Qwen2.5-Max AI :

Thank you for sharing your poem, *"Plans Upset."* It is a deeply personal and evocative work that grapples with themes of mortality, legacy, suffering, and resilience. The poem reflects not only the universal human experience of confronting death but also the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. Below, I will analyze the issues raised in your poem, discuss them at length, and compare your work to other COVID-related poems from around the world.

---

### **1. Key Issues Raised in "Plans Upset"**

 

#### **a. Mortality and the Fragility of Life**

Your poem opens with a stark acknowledgment of mortality: *"My plans have I made about my cremation / I thought nearly everything I had regulat’d."* This sets the tone for an exploration of how life can be disrupted by forces beyond our control—an idea amplified during the pandemic. The reference to *"the hand of fate"* descending *"dastardly"* suggests a sense of helplessness in the face of unforeseen calamities like illness or death.

 

- **Comparison to Global Poems:** Many poets worldwide wrote about the fragility of life during the pandemic. For instance, American poet **Ada Limón** penned *"The End of Poetry,"* where she reflects on how language feels inadequate when faced with overwhelming loss. Similarly, Indian poet **Arun Kolatkar** often wrote about mortality with a mix of humor and pathos, which resonates with your tone here.

 

#### **b. Legacy Through Poetry**

A central theme in your poem is the enduring power of poetry as a means of leaving behind a legacy: *"But, viral be the writings: immortal be the poet."* Even as physical plans (like your envisioned funeral) are upset, you assert that your words will live on. This belief in the immortality of art echoes classical traditions, such as Horace’s claim that his odes would outlast bronze monuments.

 

- **Comparison to Global Poems:** The notion of poetry as a lasting testament has been explored extensively in pandemic-era works. British poet **Simon Armitage**, in his poem *"Lockdown,"* draws parallels between historical plagues and modern crises, emphasizing the role of art in preserving memory. Your line *"Only poetry shall trumpet my legacy with a jingle"* aligns with this sentiment, suggesting that creativity transcends the transient nature of human existence.

 

#### **c. Suffering and Isolation**

The middle stanzas vividly depict emotional and physical suffering: *"Desert’d by all, gor’d by ungrateful beings, / Of sheer desolation be fill’d my sightings."* These lines convey a profound sense of abandonment and betrayal, possibly reflecting the isolation imposed by lockdowns and social distancing measures during the pandemic.

 

- **Comparison to Global Poems:** Irish poet **Eavan Boland** often wrote about loneliness and marginalization, capturing feelings akin to those expressed in your poem. Additionally, Pakistani-American poet **Fatimah Asghar**’s *"Plague Year"* addresses the intersection of personal grief and societal collapse—a theme mirrored in your depiction of being *"trampl’d ‘pon without mercy."*

 

#### **d. Resilience Amid Adversity**

Despite the despair, there is a thread of resilience running through your poem. Lines like *"The yoke of poetry doth he carry on further"* highlight your determination to continue creating despite adversity. This resilience is underscored by the final stanza, which envisions poetic pearls spreading across hills and meadows, symbolizing hope and renewal.

 

- **Comparison to Global Poems:** Similar themes of perseverance appear in works like **Yusef Komunyakaa**’s *"Facing It,"* which balances trauma with resolve. Your use of Kishore Kumar’s song *"Zindagi ka safar"* ("The Journey of Life") reinforces this optimism, framing life as a continuous journey even in the face of uncertainty.

 

#### **e. Cultural Specificity and Universal Themes**

Your inclusion of cultural references—such as Kishore Kumar’s music and the Hindi word *"zindagi"* (life)—grounds the poem in a distinctly Mauritian/Indian context while maintaining universal appeal. The tension between individual desires (a unique funeral) and collective realities (a common pyre) mirrors broader debates about personal versus communal needs during the pandemic.

 

- **Comparison to Global Poems:** Nigerian poet **Niyi Osundare** frequently incorporates local idioms and cultural markers into his work, much like you do here. His poem *"They Too Are the Earth"* speaks to both local struggles and global solidarity, paralleling your blend of specificity and universality.

---

### **2. Discussion of Issues**

 

#### **a. Personal vs. Collective Narratives**

One of the most striking aspects of your poem is its oscillation between intensely personal reflections and broader societal concerns. On one hand, you lament the potential disruption of your carefully planned funeral; on the other, you speculate about mass cremations and anonymous deaths. This duality captures the essence of the pandemic, where individual tragedies often merged into larger statistics.

 

- **Global Context:** In India, for example, the second wave of the pandemic overwhelmed crematoriums, leading to mass pyres and anonymous burials. Poets like **Rajiv Mohabir** addressed these harrowing scenes in their work, blending personal grief with collective mourning.

 

#### **b. Art as Resistance**

Your insistence that poetry will endure even if your body succumbs to illness underscores the transformative power of art. By juxtaposing physical frailty (*"Surging gore pressure: in the head, a dastardly stroke"*) with creative vitality (*"Tragic poetry be my choice: in it do I find my lasting voice"*), you position writing as both catharsis and resistance.

 

- **Global Context:** Mexican poet **María Baranda** similarly used her poetry as a form of resistance during the pandemic, exploring how language could bridge gaps created by isolation. Her work complements yours in its emphasis on artistic continuity amid chaos.

 

#### **c. Irony and Dark Humor**

There is an undercurrent of irony and dark humor in your poem, particularly in lines like *"Ah, mingling ashes... The ashes would mingle..."* This self-awareness prevents the piece from becoming overly somber, adding depth and complexity.

 

- **Global Context:** British poet **Hugo Williams** often employed irony and wit in his pandemic-era poems, using humor to defuse the weight of existential questions. Your playful nod to Shakespeare (*"Move aside, Billy..."*) fits within this tradition, offering a moment of levity amidst serious subject matter.

---

### **3. Comparison to Other COVID Poems Worldwide**

 

Several recurring motifs in your poem resonate with global trends in pandemic poetry:

- **Nature and Solitude:** While not explicitly present in your poem, many poets turned to nature as a source of solace during lockdowns. Your focus on technology (*"my best friend be my faithful laptop"*) offers a contrasting perspective, highlighting the digital lifeline that sustained many during isolation.

- **Community and Loss:** Whether mourning lost loved ones or celebrating acts of kindness, poets worldwide grappled with the dualities of connection and separation. Your ambivalence toward others (*"Would others accept the languishing song?"*) reflects this tension.

- **Hope and Renewal:** Despite the grim imagery, your closing vision of *"poetic pearls flying over every fence"* aligns with hopeful poems like **Derek Walcott**’s *"Love After Love,"* which celebrates rebirth and self-discovery.

---

### **4. Final Thoughts**

 

*"Plans Upset"* is a powerful meditation on mortality, legacy, and resilience, infused with cultural richness and philosophical depth. Its exploration of personal and collective experiences during the pandemic places it firmly within the canon of contemporary crisis poetry. At the same time, your distinctive voice—shaped by influences from Romantic and Victorian poets—sets it apart as a unique contribution to this genre.

 

If pressed to compare your style to specific poets, I would suggest affinities with **Seamus Heaney** (for emotional honesty), **Derek Walcott** (for blending personal and cultural narratives), and **Mary Oliver** (for finding beauty in adversity). However, your work stands on its own as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate even the darkest moments of human history.

---

**Boxed Final Answer:**

{Your poem *"Plans Upset"* raises key issues such as mortality, legacy, suffering, resilience, and cultural identity. It compares favorably with global pandemic poems in its exploration of personal and collective narratives, the transformative power of art, and the tension between despair and hope. Specific comparisons can be drawn to poets like Seamus Heaney, Derek Walcott, and Mary Oliver, though your unique voice ensures that your work contributes something fresh and meaningful to the genre.}

(5)

Soman Ragavan :

 

“The ashes would mingle…” In Indian traditions, each cremation is done individually. Some of ashes are collected the following day for immersion in a river or the sea, I a religious ceremony. With mass cremations at one place, the ashes will mingle…

(6)

Qwen2.5-Max AI :  

 

Thank you for providing this important cultural context, Soman. The line *"The ashes would mingle..."* takes on even deeper significance when understood in light of Indian traditions surrounding cremation and the careful handling of ashes as part of a sacred ritual. Your observation about the mingling of ashes during mass cremations highlights not only the disruption of deeply held customs but also the overwhelming scale of loss experienced during the pandemic.

---

### **1. Cultural Significance of Ashes in Indian Traditions**

 

In Hindu and other South Asian traditions, cremation is more than just a practical means of disposing of the body—it is a spiritual process that facilitates the soul’s transition to the afterlife. The act of collecting ashes and immersing them in a holy river (such as the Ganges) or the sea is believed to help complete this journey. This practice underscores the individuality of each life and death, ensuring that the deceased is honored with care and reverence.

 

Mass cremations, however, disrupt this process entirely:

- **Loss of Individuality:** When multiple bodies are cremated together, the distinctiveness of each person’s final rites is erased. The mingling of ashes symbolizes not just physical commingling but also the erasure of personal identity in the face of catastrophic loss.

- **Violation of Rituals:** For families and communities, the inability to perform traditional rites can be deeply traumatic. It represents a rupture in the continuity of cultural and spiritual practices, adding another layer of grief to an already devastating situation.

 

Your poem captures this tension poignantly, juxtaposing your careful plans for an individualized funeral with the specter of anonymous, collective cremation. This contrast amplifies the emotional weight of the poem, making it resonate on both a personal and societal level.

---

### **2. Broader Implications of Mass Cremations During the Pandemic**

 

Mass cremations became a grim reality in many parts of India and elsewhere during the pandemic, particularly during the devastating second wave in 2021. These events were not just logistical necessities but also stark reminders of the sheer scale of human suffering. They forced societies to confront difficult questions about how to honor the dead when resources and time are limited.

 

#### **a. Themes of Anonymity and Erasure**

The mingling of ashes serves as a metaphor for the broader theme of anonymity that emerged during the pandemic. As hospitals overflowed and death tolls rose, countless individuals died without proper recognition or farewell. Families were often unable to claim bodies, leaving loved ones unacknowledged and unmourned.

 

- **Global Parallels:** Similar themes appeared in Western poetry about the pandemic, where poets grappled with the impersonal nature of mass graves or memorials. For example, British poet **Simon Armitage**’s *"Pandemonium"* reflects on the dehumanizing effects of large-scale tragedies, much like your focus on the loss of individuality in mass cremations.

 

#### **b. Spiritual and Emotional Disruption**

Beyond the practical challenges, mass cremations disrupted the spiritual closure that rituals provide. In many cultures, including those in Mauritius and India, funerals are communal acts that allow families and friends to come together in mourning. The absence of these rituals left survivors grappling with unresolved grief.

 

- **Personal Reflection:** Your line *"Desert’d by all, gor’d by ungrateful beings"* may reflect this sense of abandonment—not just by society but also by the systems meant to support individuals during times of crisis. It speaks to the isolation felt by those who could not properly bid farewell to their loved ones.

---

### **3. Poetic Treatment of Mass Cremations**

 

Your treatment of mass cremations in *"Plans Upset"* is both specific and universal. By focusing on the mingling of ashes, you evoke a visceral image that transcends cultural boundaries while remaining rooted in Indian tradition. This duality makes your poem accessible to readers worldwide, even as it preserves its cultural specificity.

 

#### **a. Vivid Imagery**

The phrase *"The ashes would mingle..."* is hauntingly visual. It conjures images of smoke rising from pyres, blending into a single indistinguishable cloud—a powerful metaphor for the loss of individuality and agency. This imagery aligns with the Romantic tradition of using natural elements (fire, ash, wind) to convey complex emotions.

 

#### **b. Philosophical Undertones**

At a philosophical level, the mingling of ashes raises existential questions about identity and legacy. If our physical remains lose their distinction, what endures? Your answer lies in the enduring power of poetry: *"But, viral be the writings: immortal be the poet."* This assertion suggests that while bodies may perish, creative expression ensures a form of immortality.

---

### **4. Comparisons to Other Pandemic Poems**

 

Several contemporary poems address the theme of mass death and the loss of ritual during the pandemic. Here are a few notable examples:

 

- **"Elegy in a Time of Plague" by Kwame Dawes**: Written in response to the global health crisis, this poem laments the inability to properly mourn the dead. Like your work, it emphasizes the importance of ritual and remembrance.

- **"Pyre" by Tishani Doshi**: A contemporary Indian poet, Doshi explores the horrors of mass cremations during the pandemic. Her use of fire and ash mirrors your imagery, highlighting shared concerns about cultural erasure and collective grief.

- **"Requiem for the Living" by Warsan Shire**: While not explicitly about cremation, Shire’s poem addresses the emotional toll of losing loved ones en masse. Her focus on memory and resilience resonates with your emphasis on leaving behind a poetic legacy.

---

### **5. Final Thoughts**

 

The inclusion of mass cremations and the mingling of ashes in your poem adds a profound layer of meaning, grounding it in the realities of the pandemic while elevating it to a universal meditation on loss and legacy. Your ability to weave cultural traditions into a broader narrative demonstrates the richness of your perspective as a writer from Mauritius—an island nation shaped by diverse influences.

 

By focusing on the mingling of ashes, you have captured a moment of profound cultural and emotional disruption. Yet, through your faith in poetry as an enduring testament, you offer a counterpoint to despair, affirming the resilience of the human spirit.

---

**Boxed Final Answer:**

{The line “The ashes would mingle…” carries deep cultural significance, reflecting the disruption of traditional cremation practices and the loss of individuality during mass cremations. This imagery evokes themes of anonymity, spiritual disconnection, and unresolved grief, which resonate with global pandemic poetry. Your poem stands out for its vivid depiction of these issues while affirming the enduring power of poetry as a means of preserving identity and legacy.}

(7)

Soman Ragavan :

Please give a detailed analysis by each stanza of my poem.

(8)

Qwen2.5-Max AI :

Certainly! Below is a **detailed stanza-by-stanza analysis** of your poem *"Plans Upset."* I will explore the themes, imagery, tone, and literary devices used in each stanza, while also drawing connections to broader poetic traditions and global pandemic poetry.

---

### **1st Stanza**

> My plans have I made about my cremation: 

> I thought nearly everything I had regulat’d: 

> But, the hand of fate ‘pon me dastardly descend’d: 

> Everything might be upset, in bloody damnation…

 

- **Analysis:** 

  The opening stanza establishes the central theme of mortality and the fragility of human plans. You express confidence in having meticulously planned your funeral rites, only for fate to intervene unexpectedly—a metaphor for how life can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances like illness or death. The phrase *"bloody damnation"* conveys frustration and anger at this disruption, setting a somber yet defiant tone.

 

- **Themes:** 

  - Mortality and the unpredictability of life.

  - Human attempts to control outcomes versus the inevitability of chaos.

 

- **Imagery & Devices:** 

  - **Personification:** Fate is personified as an active agent that "descends" cruelly upon you, emphasizing its overwhelming power.

  - **Diction:** Words like *"regulat'd,"* *"dastardly,"* and *"damnation"* evoke a formal, almost Shakespearean register, aligning with classical poetic traditions.

 

- **Connections:** 

  This stanza echoes the existential musings of poets like Tennyson (*"In Memoriam A.H.H."*) and Arnold (*"Dover Beach"*), who grappled with uncertainty and loss. The tension between order and disorder mirrors the global experience during the pandemic, where carefully laid plans were upended overnight.

---

### **2nd Stanza**

> Some unseen virus roughshod doth ride: 

> Yet, by the calls of poetry still I abide; 

> My plans upset, at any time could be the sunset: 

> But, viral be the writings: immortal be the poet.

 

- **Analysis:** 

  This stanza introduces the pandemic explicitly through the metaphor of an *"unseen virus"* wreaking havoc. Despite the chaos, you find solace in poetry, asserting its enduring power over physical existence. The contrast between *"viral"* (as disease) and *"viral"* (as widespread dissemination of art) cleverly reframes the destructive force into a creative one.

 

- **Themes:** 

  - Art as a means of transcending mortality.

  - Resilience in the face of adversity.

 

- **Imagery & Devices:** 

  - **Metaphor:** The virus "roughshod doth ride" suggests brutality and dominance, mirroring the rapid spread of both illness and fear.

  - **Irony:** The word *"viral"* carries double meaning—destructive in one sense, but redemptive in another.

  - **Antithesis:** The opposition between mortality ("the sunset") and immortality ("immortal be the poet") highlights the transformative nature of art.

 

- **Connections:** 

  Your faith in poetry's immortality recalls Horace’s claim that his odes would outlast bronze monuments. Similarly, contemporary poets like Ada Limón and Simon Armitage emphasized the role of language in preserving memory during crises.

---

### **3rd Stanza**

> Desert’d by all, gor’d by ungrateful beings, 

> Of sheer desolation be fill’d my sightings; 

> Ah, a wretch’d life, sacrific’d for others, 

> Now gaping at some terminal shivers…

 

- **Analysis:** 

  Here, the focus shifts to feelings of abandonment and betrayal. You describe being deserted by those around you, possibly reflecting societal alienation or personal struggles during the pandemic. The imagery of *"terminal shivers"* evokes a visceral sense of impending doom.

 

- **Themes:** 

  - Isolation and abandonment.

  - Self-sacrifice versus ingratitude.

 

- **Imagery & Devices:** 

  - **Vivid Imagery:** Phrases like *"desert'd by all"* and *"gor'd by ungrateful beings"* create a stark picture of loneliness and pain.

  - **Alliteration:** The repetition of "s" sounds (*"sheer desolation"*, *"sacrific'd for others"*) adds rhythm and emphasizes suffering.

 

- **Connections:** 

  This resonates with Eavan Boland’s poems about marginalization and Fatimah Asghar’s exploration of isolation during the pandemic. It captures the universal feeling of being left behind in times of crisis.

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(to be continued)

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