Poetry Analysis

Dahling, We Can’t

Original Poetry

Translation

Dahling, We Can’t

Darling, we can't—

Stephen L. Harrison

we just can't stay.

Dahling, we can’t—

The trees might suddenly

we simply cannot stay.

catch fire;

The trees might spontaneously

the hedges could ignite

inflagrate;

and turn this sunny paradise

the hedges catch a spark

into a complete hell.

and turn this sun-baked paradise

Think about the wine—

into an absolute inferno.

our rich little cellar

Think of the wine—

boiling in its bottles.

our wealthy little cellar

Think about the Ferraris,

boiling in its bottles.

their red pride

Think of the Ferraris,

melted into a sculpture.

their scarlet pride

And the Ayam Cemani hens,

reduced to molten sculpture.

those black-feathered treasures—

And the Ayam Cemani hens,

Darling, it's unbearable

those black-feathered jewels—

to think about.

Dahling, it does not bear

We have to sell the house.

thinking about.

We have to leave Mansionland.

We must put the house up for sale.

We will move

We must leave Mansionland.

to the former miners’ area:

We shall move

barren, reliable concrete,

to the ex-miners’ estate:

windows safely made of glass,

barren, dependable concrete,

and a view over the suburbs.

windows reassuringly made of glass,

There, the only thing

and an outlook over Murburbia.

that flashes in the dark

There, the only thing

is a knife—

that flashes in the darkness

and at least the mailbox

is a knife—

can be closed

and at least the letterbox

against any little spark.

can be sealed

Please, Darling,

against every little spark.

leave the sun-dried grass,

Please, Dahling,

the trees, the heatwave

leave the sun-baked grass,

and all this unbearable wealth.

the trees, the heatwave

We will be safer

and all this unbearable wealth.

in an old miner’s small house.

We shall be safer

Darling, we have to move.

in an old miner’s little cottage.

We can't.

Dahling, we must move.

Cannot.

We can’t.

Can not.

Explanation

Stephen L. Harrison's poem "Dahling, We Can’t" humorously critiques the burdens of wealth and the desire to escape its trappings. The poem opens with a sense of urgency as the speaker insists they cannot stay in their luxurious surroundings. The imagery of trees potentially catching fire and turning paradise into an inferno highlights the fragility and danger lurking beneath the surface of opulence.

The poem uses vivid images like wine boiling in bottles and Ferraris melting to underscore the absurdity of wealth. The mention of Ayam Cemani hens, described as "black-feathered jewels," adds a touch of exotic luxury, which the speaker finds unbearable to contemplate losing. This exaggeration serves to mock the superficial value placed on material possessions.

The emotional arc moves from urgency and concern to a resigned acceptance of leaving behind wealth for safety. The tone is both satirical and earnest, capturing the tension between the allure of luxury and the desire for a simpler, more secure life.

Harrison employs literary devices such as irony and hyperbole to emphasize the absurdity of the situation. The contrast between the luxurious "Mansionland" and the "barren, dependable concrete" of the miners' estate highlights the speaker's internal conflict. The poem's free verse form allows for a conversational tone, enhancing the personal and intimate nature of the plea.

Ultimately, the poem reflects on the superficiality of wealth and the longing for authenticity and safety. It critiques the societal obsession with material success and suggests that true security may lie in simplicity and modesty.

Word Dictionary10

Word	Easy Meaning	Translation	Pron.
Dahling	Darling	A term of endearment, like 'dear' or 'love'	dah-ling
inflagrate	catch fire	To catch fire or burst into flames	in-flah-grayt
inferno	hell	A large, intense fire or a place resembling hell	in-fer-no
Ayam Cemani	a type of chicken	A rare breed of chicken known for its black feathers	ah-yahm che-mah-nee
Mansionland	land of mansions	An area characterized by large, luxurious homes	man-shun-land
Murburbia	suburbs	A fictional or humorous term for suburban areas	mur-bur-bee-ah
barren	empty	Empty or lacking in vegetation	bar-ren
dependable	reliable	Reliable or trustworthy	de-pen-da-bul
reassuringly	comfortingly	In a comforting way that removes doubts or fears	ree-uh-shoor-ing-lee
unbearable	intolerable	Too difficult to endure	un-bear-uh-bul

Poet & Context

PoetStephen L. Harrison

EraContemporary

Stephen L. Harrison is a contemporary writer whose works often explore themes of wealth, societal change, and personal transformation. His poetry reflects a keen observation of modern life and its contradictions.

WhenContemporary period

WhyThe poem reflects on the absurdity and fragility of wealth and the desire to escape its burdens. It juxtaposes the opulence of a luxurious lifestyle with the simplicity and perceived safety of a modest life.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

Wealth and MaterialismSafety and SecurityIrony and Satire

Literary devices

Irony: The poem uses irony to highlight the absurdity of wealth.Hyperbole: Exaggerated imagery emphasizes the fragility of luxury.Imagery: Vivid descriptions of fire and luxury create a stark contrast.

Poetry Analysis

Dahling, We Can’t

Original Poetry

Translation

Dahling, We Can’t

Darling, we can't—

Stephen L. Harrison

we just can't stay.

Dahling, we can’t—

The trees might suddenly

we simply cannot stay.

catch fire;

The trees might spontaneously

the hedges could ignite

inflagrate;

and turn this sunny paradise

the hedges catch a spark

into a complete hell.

and turn this sun-baked paradise

Think about the wine—

into an absolute inferno.

our rich little cellar

Think of the wine—

boiling in its bottles.

our wealthy little cellar

Think about the Ferraris,

boiling in its bottles.

their red pride

Think of the Ferraris,

melted into a sculpture.

their scarlet pride

And the Ayam Cemani hens,

reduced to molten sculpture.

those black-feathered treasures—

And the Ayam Cemani hens,

Darling, it's unbearable

those black-feathered jewels—

to think about.

Dahling, it does not bear

We have to sell the house.

thinking about.

We have to leave Mansionland.

We must put the house up for sale.

We will move

We must leave Mansionland.

to the former miners’ area:

We shall move

barren, reliable concrete,

to the ex-miners’ estate:

windows safely made of glass,

barren, dependable concrete,

and a view over the suburbs.

windows reassuringly made of glass,

There, the only thing

and an outlook over Murburbia.

that flashes in the dark

There, the only thing

is a knife—

that flashes in the darkness

and at least the mailbox

is a knife—

can be closed

and at least the letterbox

against any little spark.

can be sealed

Please, Darling,

against every little spark.

leave the sun-dried grass,

Please, Dahling,

the trees, the heatwave

leave the sun-baked grass,

and all this unbearable wealth.

the trees, the heatwave

We will be safer

and all this unbearable wealth.

in an old miner’s small house.

We shall be safer

Darling, we have to move.

in an old miner’s little cottage.

We can't.

Dahling, we must move.

Cannot.

We can’t.

Can not.

Explanation

Word Dictionary10

Word	Easy Meaning	Translation	Pron.
Dahling	Darling	A term of endearment, like 'dear' or 'love'	dah-ling
inflagrate	catch fire	To catch fire or burst into flames	in-flah-grayt
inferno	hell	A large, intense fire or a place resembling hell	in-fer-no
Ayam Cemani	a type of chicken	A rare breed of chicken known for its black feathers	ah-yahm che-mah-nee
Mansionland	land of mansions	An area characterized by large, luxurious homes	man-shun-land
Murburbia	suburbs	A fictional or humorous term for suburban areas	mur-bur-bee-ah
barren	empty	Empty or lacking in vegetation	bar-ren
dependable	reliable	Reliable or trustworthy	de-pen-da-bul
reassuringly	comfortingly	In a comforting way that removes doubts or fears	ree-uh-shoor-ing-lee
unbearable	intolerable	Too difficult to endure	un-bear-uh-bul

Poet & Context

PoetStephen L. Harrison

EraContemporary

WhenContemporary period

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

Wealth and MaterialismSafety and SecurityIrony and Satire

Literary devices