"Notice" by Steve Kowit by IMANI ALBA GARNER

Notice by: Steve Kowit

ialbagarner — 2019-03-11 08:03:26 UTC

This evening, the sturdy Levi's
I wore every day for over a year
& which seemed to the end
in perfect condition,
suddenly tore.
How or why I don't know,
but there it was: a big rip at the crotch.
A month ago my friend Nick
walked off a racquetball court,
showered,
got into his street clothes,
& halfway home collapsed & died.
Take heed, you who read this,
& drop to your knees now & again
like the poet Christopher Smart,
& kiss the earth & be joyful,
& make much of your time,
& be kindly to everyone,
even to those who do not deserve it.
For although you may not believe 
it will happen,
you too will one day be gone,
I, whose Levi's ripped at the crotch
for no reason,
assure you that such is the case.
Pass it on.

—Steve Kowit

Theme

ialbagarner — 2019-03-11 08:41:35 UTC

The main theme i got out of the poem Notice, was to enjoy life while you're still around. "& which seemed to end in perfect condition, suddenly tore." This part of the stanza showed how things can happen out of no where. The next line says "How or why I don't know," backing up my previously said explanation that his jeans ripping were very unforeseen.

Tone

ialbagarner — 2019-03-11 08:42:11 UTC

I believe the tone of the poem is optimism. "kiss the earth & be joyful, & make much of your time, & be kindly to everyone, even to those who do not deserve it" I take optimism from this because the author friend had passed away but he took a life lesson out of it to be grateful for your life and to fulfil the happiness you want in life.

Rhetorical Devices

ialbagarner — 2019-03-11 08:44:53 UTC

Metaphor- " i wore for over a year"

Similie- " & drop to your knees now & again like the poet Christopher Smart "

Personification- " & kiss the earth "

Allusion- " like the poet christopher smart "

Repetition- " & drop to your knees now & again like the poet chistopher smart, & kiss the earth & be joyfuul, & make much of your time