_Scratch by Arun Kolatkar_
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On the wall of the public convenience
someone has scrawled this message:
"Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."
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The poem begins by presenting the reader with a simple message scrawled on a public convenience wall. The message itself suggests a mutual exchange of favours or benefits.
_I am alone,
my hands are tied.
I cannot scratch my own back,
nor can anyone scratch mine._
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The speaker expresses their isolation and inability to scratch their own back. This can be interpreted not only literally but also metaphorically. The speaker is unable to scratch their own back to find relief or satisfy a certain itch. This could represent their longing for understanding, support, or connection, which they cannot attain by their own means.
_Under the skin,
There is an unhealed wound.
It itches, it burns.
I scratch and scratch,
But the wound won't heal._
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The poem takes a deeper dive into the speaker's emotional state. Beneath their physical façade, there lies an unhealed wound that causes a persistent itching and burning sensation. No matter how hard they try to scratch and alleviate the discomfort, the wound won't heal. This metaphorical wound could symbolize unresolved emotional trauma, mental anguish, or psychological distress that the speaker is grappling with.
_I try to forget the wound.
I bury my head in books,
I work with my hands,
I talk with my friends.
But the wound keeps crawling back,
Itching, burning. Scratching, scratching._
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The speaker's attempts to distract themselves from the pain are depicted through various activities, such as burying themselves in books, working with their hands, and engaging in conversation with friends. These activities could represent the speaker's efforts to escape, bury, or ignore their emotional pain. Yet, the wound persists and continues to gnaw at their consciousness, demanding their attention and energy.
_I want to scream.
I want to cry.
I want to run away.
But I can't.
I am bound to this place,
To this wound,
To this body._
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The speaker's inner turmoil reaches a crescendo as they express their desire to escape and let loose their emotions. However, they feel confined, trapped, and unable to break free from their physical body and the emotional pain that plagues them. The repetition of the word 'scratching' emphasizes their relentless attempt to alleviate the pain, but they remain trapped in a cycle of suffering and frustration.
In "Scratch," Arun Kolatkar explores the complex interplay of physical and emotional pain, isolation, and the search for relief. Through the metaphor of the unhealed wound and the act of scratching, the poem delves into the human condition and the struggle to find solace and healing when one feels stuck and alone with their inner turmoil.