Poem Analysis - Ten

Overall Impression and Tone

Jimmy Santiago Baca's "Ten" is a passionate and intense call to embrace creativity and authenticity. The poem's tone is urgent and impassioned, urging the reader to pursue their dreams and passions without fear or hesitation. The mood shifts from a fiery, almost rebellious tone to a more reflective and hopeful one, encouraging the reader to find their true calling and pursue it with unwavering dedication. The poem is written in free verse, which supports its spontaneous and heartfelt message.

Themes of Creativity and Authenticity

The central theme of "Ten" is the pursuit of creativity and authenticity. Baca emphasizes the importance of following one's passions and not being deterred by obstacles or criticism. The speaker advises leaving behind anything that does not inspire creativity, whether it be people, things, or situations. This theme is developed through vivid imagery and a commanding tone, as the speaker urges the reader to "leave it," "leave them," and "quit" anything that does not feed the fire of their creativity. The repetition of the word "leave" underscores the urgency and necessity of this pursuit.

Themes of Love and Passion

Another prominent theme is the power of love and passion. The speaker describes being "crazily in love" and making a "stupid fool of yourself" as essential to living a fulfilling life. This theme is developed through the use of intense and evocative language, such as "heart on fire," "gulped all of you in one breath," and "explode your brooding." The speaker suggests that true love and passion can overcome fears and allow one to "violate every fear happily." This theme is closely tied to the theme of creativity, as the speaker implies that love and passion are necessary fuels for creative expression.

Themes of Rebellion and Defiance

The theme of rebellion and defiance is also present in the poem. The speaker encourages the reader to go "where the fire feeds you" and to "be where you're not supposed to be." This theme is developed through the use of defiant language and imagery, such as "violate every fear," "flaming faith," and "burn from all sides." The speaker suggests that true creativity and authenticity often involve defying societal norms and expectations. This theme is reinforced by the speaker's advice to "bitch rudely" at the mediocrity of scholars and to let oneself be a "chilling symbol" of what others have not had the courage to do.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich with vivid imagery and recurring symbols. The fire is a central symbol, representing creativity, passion, and the drive to pursue one's dreams. The speaker repeatedly urges the reader to "feed the fire" and to "burn from all sides," suggesting that creativity and passion are essential to a fulfilling life. Another recurring image is that of the heart, which is described as a source of dreams, love, and creativity. The speaker advises the reader to "climb where you've been forbidden to go" and to "plunge it into the fire," suggesting that the heart is a powerful and essential part of the creative process. The speaker also uses the image of the river to represent the flow of creativity, describing words as "rushing from the stones like a river coursing down from some motherly mountain source." This image suggests that creativity is a natural and powerful force, and that it can flow freely when given the chance.

Conclusion

"Ten" is a powerful and inspiring call to embrace creativity and authenticity. Through vivid imagery, a commanding tone, and recurring symbols, Baca urges the reader to pursue their passions without fear or hesitation. The poem's themes of creativity, love, and rebellion are interconnected, suggesting that true creativity often involves defying societal norms and expectations. The fire, the heart, and the river are central symbols that represent the power and necessity of creativity and passion. Ultimately, "Ten" is a call to action, encouraging the reader to "guard it, nurture it, take your full-flung honorable heart and plunge it into the fire" and to restore the dream by writing of its "again-discovered wild beauty."