Appeal by William Carlos Williams
The poem presents a speaker who addresses a powerful, mythical creature, the crimson salamander, symbolizing fire and transformation. The speaker finds themselves in a precarious situation, lying among half-burned sticks at the edge of a fire, suggesting a struggle between destruction and survival. The imagery evokes a sense of vulnerability as the speaker feels the encroaching presence of a fiend, representing danger or despair. The plea for a single flame signifies a desire for hope, warmth, and protection. The act of binding the flame around the wrist of the one who cast the speaker into this predicament indicates a complex relationship, possibly involving themes of betrayal, dependency, and the need for connection. The speaker's song becomes a manifestation of their longing for safety and understanding in a hostile environment. Throughout the work, the interplay between fire and the speaker's emotional state highlights the duality of creation and destruction. The crimson salamander embodies the transformative power of fire, suggesting that through adversity, one can find strength and resilience. The poem ultimately explores themes of vulnerability, the search for solace, and the intricate dynamics of relationships in the face of hardship.
By William Carlos Williams · First published 1922 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Symbolism · 105 words
First lines
You who are so mighty, crimson salamander, hear me once more.
I lay among the half burned sticks at the edge of the fire.
The fiend was creeping in.
I felt the cold tips of fingers -- O crimson salamander!
What this Textopian page supports
Appeal is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Carlos Williams, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: William Carlos Williams
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Symbolism, Modernism, Imagism
- Length: 105 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem characterized by its use of vivid imagery and emotional expression.
- Lyric — The poem conveys personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols, such as the 'crimson salamander' and 'flame', suggests deeper meanings and themes.
- Modernism — The poem reflects modernist themes of existential struggle and individual experience.
Tags
Modernist · Experimental · Poetry · American Literature · 20th Century · Stream-of-Consciousness · Free Verse · Imagism · Symbolic · Psychological Insight · Inner Monologue · Fragmented Narrative