I'm in the Jim and Tim camp. I liked this one immediately, and was flabbergasted that so many others were sorry that it lacked "ecstacy". It starts with out-of-body imagery and proceeds through several dynamic, emotionally-charged verbs (and verbal adjectives) from lightning into the abyss, with ranting repetition along the way. If that's not ecstatic, I'm at a loss to describe what would be!
I love the repetition throughout this piece, reinforced by a masterful use of alliteration--especially the trinity of "selfs" in the ending, with alliteration smoothing the transition from "loathing" into "loved," "at last," and "led."
As for the lack of Hopkins-like metrical irregularity, I for one am certainly am not bemoaning it. I'm Little Miss Metronome, I guess--or Little Miss Metamucil? I agree, the poet is speaking with his or her own voice, not Hopkins', and I don't think a lack of irregularity should ever be viewed as a fault. Then again, I'm but a rank newbie.
Julie Stoner
[This message has been edited by Julie Stoner (edited March 24, 2003).]
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