Mama
Mama - meaning Summary
Voice from a Grave
The speaker imagines himself buried and incapacitated, unable even to call for his mother while animals and rot mark his decline. He notes physical loss, ruined clothing, and helplessness, contrasting his obscurity with fantasies of a dramatic drunk who would attract public attention. A neighboring tomb’s occupant daydreams of Mozart and sweets, which the speaker finds insufferable. The poem mixes bleak humor and resignation about isolation and indignity in death.
Read Complete AnalysesHere I am in the ground my mouth open and I can't even say mama, and the dogs run by and stop and piss on my stone; I get it all except the sun and my suit is looking bad and yesterday the last of my left arm gone very little left, all harp-like without music. At least a drunk in bed with a cigarette might cause 5 fire engines and 33 men. I can't do any thing. But p.s. -- Hector Richmond in the next tomb thinks only of Mozart and candy caterpillars. He is very bad company.
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