07-21-2015, 07:32 AM
Disclaimer: no training and limited experience. Consider me "average Joe reader"
After a few readings I decided this poem was about hobos ... Locationaly challenged? (Don't worry it always takes me lots of readings I'm learning here).
My best guess is that there are either 76 train cars or 76 people hitching a ride. The women and children had to stay home, "shackled" by their weakness and responsibilities.
However, my very first reading I thought that it was something like the trains taking people to concentration camps, or some form of slavery because of the manacles. But since you said their "roots" are manacled and not their actual feet, it seems like you're saying they're left behind. Hence the hobos.
As an untrained reader the "population 76" was the most confusing part. And if it is about hobos, or slavery, I wish there was just one word somewhere to point us in one direction or another.
Finally, I don't care for the word "succinctly" I don't really know why, other than it seems out of place with the rest of the tone.
I wish I could be more helpful. I love how you conjured a clear strong image in so few words. I kind of hope it is about hobos because describing the helplessnes of the women and children the men let behind as though they are chained is a truth to which many stay at homes can relate. In fact, no matter what this poem is about, I'm putting "manacled roots" in my pocket so that I finally have a word picture for that particular feeling.
--Ammi
After a few readings I decided this poem was about hobos ... Locationaly challenged? (Don't worry it always takes me lots of readings I'm learning here).
My best guess is that there are either 76 train cars or 76 people hitching a ride. The women and children had to stay home, "shackled" by their weakness and responsibilities. However, my very first reading I thought that it was something like the trains taking people to concentration camps, or some form of slavery because of the manacles. But since you said their "roots" are manacled and not their actual feet, it seems like you're saying they're left behind. Hence the hobos.
As an untrained reader the "population 76" was the most confusing part. And if it is about hobos, or slavery, I wish there was just one word somewhere to point us in one direction or another.
Finally, I don't care for the word "succinctly" I don't really know why, other than it seems out of place with the rest of the tone.
I wish I could be more helpful. I love how you conjured a clear strong image in so few words. I kind of hope it is about hobos because describing the helplessnes of the women and children the men let behind as though they are chained is a truth to which many stay at homes can relate. In fact, no matter what this poem is about, I'm putting "manacled roots" in my pocket so that I finally have a word picture for that particular feeling.
--Ammi
The Soufflé isn’t the soufflé; the soufflé is the recipe. --Clara