Marking Time Flashcards
Give an overview of the poem.
This is a deeply sexual poem in which Sheers describes a vigorous love-making session with a partner which resulted in a carpet-burn scar upon her back. Again, this gives us a sense of the destructive nature of men upon the natural world.
How does this poem mimic The Farrier?
It is an intimate physical act between a male and female whereby the female comes off permanently scarred.
What does ‘two tattered flags flying from your spine’s mast’ suggest?
The image of the loose flaps of skin may also continue the running themes of national pride.
What may this imagery of pride also connote?
It may also connote the phrase ‘tie your colours to the mast’, giving the impression that this was a moment of his permanent attachment to this partner. The ‘mast’ creates an image of sailing that is followed up later in ‘Valentine’.
Explain the significance of ‘lovers who carve trees’.
By likening the scar to ‘lovers who carve trees’, Sheers is continuing his theme of comparing that world of nature to the world of man – in this case ‘skin’ and ‘bark’ are tenor and vehicle.
