In "Changed," the speaker reflects on the transformative power of love and the ways in which it can alter one's life and perspective. The poem uses imagery and symbolism to convey the depth and intensity of the speaker's emotions. The speaker describes how love has changed their state of mind, comparing their previous self to a "prisoner" and their current state to being a bird in flight. The poem ends with the speaker expressing a sense of gratitude and awe for the transformative power of love.
"Scavengers" by Margaret Atwood
"Scavengers" paints a stark and unsettling picture of a post-apocalyptic world, where scavengers roam a barren landscape in search of sustenance and hope. The poem uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a sense of desolation and decay, and it offers a commentary on the fragility and transience of human life in the face of overwhelming destruction. The scavengers in the poem are portrayed as desperate and determined, but their efforts to survive are ultimately Sisyphean, suggesting the futility of human endeavors in the face of a world ravaged by catastrophe.
Comparison:
While both "Changed" and "Scavengers" are poems that deal with themes of change, their tone and focus are markedly different. "Changed" is a lyrical and personal poem that explores the transformative power of love on an individual level. It delves into the complexities of human emotion and offers a sense of hope and renewal. "Scavengers," on the other hand, is a dystopian and pessimistic poem that presents a bleak vision of a world in decline. It explores themes of mortality, loss, and the futility of human existence in the face of cataclysmic events.
In terms of structure, "Changed" follows a traditional, linear narrative, while "Scavengers" employs fragmentary, disjointed imagery and shifts in perspective. This difference in form reflects the contrasting themes and tones of the two poems.
Overall, "Changed" and "Scavengers" are distinct poems that explore different dimensions of human experience, offering unique and powerful perspectives on the transformative nature of life and the myriad challenges and complexities that accompany it.