Root Cellar - A poem by Theodore Roethke

Theodore Roethke - Root Cellar

Nothing would sleep in that cellar, dank as a ditch,
Bulbs broke out of boxes hunting for chinks in the dark,
Shoots dangled and drooped,
Lolling obscenely from mildewed crates,
Hung down long yellow evil necks, like tropical snakes.
And what a congress of stinks!
Roots ripe as old bait,
Pulpy stems, rank, silo-rich,
Leaf-mold, manure, lime, piled against slippery planks.
Nothing would give up life:
Even the dirt kept breathing a small breath.

Added: on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 PM | Viewed: 16127 times | Comments (18)

Root Cellar - Comments and Information
Poet: Theodore Roethke Poem: Root Cellar Comment 18 of 18, added on November 19th, 2009 at 10:01 PM. "Chinks" isn't an onomatopoeia because it isn't a sound. Or at least not in this context. Think of a chink as a small chip or a dent for the plant to take root in. And thank you for campaigning for correct grammar. Always a noble cause. Jacob from United States Comment 17 of 18, added on September 24th, 2009 at 12:39 PM. "Root Cellar" is a richly vivid description of just that: a root cellar. In combination with the use of sensory images, Roethke use alliteration, "bulbs broke" "boxes," and onomatopoeia, "chinks," to underscore the struggle to survive--and the tenacity of the will to live despite horrid conditions. Consider the "stink" in a concentration camp, even in these deplorable conditions life fought on. And on the petty side, "your" is not a catch-all word: "you're" means you are, and "your" is the possessive pronoun. Further, there are 3 different meanings for the 3 words (there, their, and they're)that sound the same. Please, learn the basics before you post your comments. Sharon from United States Comment 16 of 18, added on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 PM. A remark to all of the comments: nobody can be sure what this poem is really about unless you are Theodore Roethke, which your not. We all have opinions to what this poem is about, whether it is about life, sex, or anything else. If you can support your answer with examples from the poem, then you are "right". There is no right or wrong here. Use these opinions to formulate your own ideas whether you agree with them or not. Don't criticize others for what they think! Heather from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Root Cellar, has received 18 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Theodore Roethke with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Root Cellar Last read: 2009-11-22 09:03:23 Viewed 16127 times. Added on June 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 PM.

Roethke Info
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