Speechless IV: Structure & Language Techniques

In “Speechless IV”, Sam-La Rose continues his exploration of language and communication, this time focusing on the struggle of expressing personal emotions and thoughts.
A recurring theme in Sam-La Rose’s works, the inability to communicate or share experiences verbal symbolises the emotional and psychological chasms between individuals.

The poem utilises irregular line lengths and unpredictable enjambment, which may reflect the disjointed and oftentimes chaotic process of trying to articulate personal feelings.
Much like “Talk This Way” and “After Lazerdrome, McDonalds, Peckham Rye”, “Speechless IV” also employs free verse, keeping up with the poet’s organic exploration of language and speech.
The poem’s title, “Speechless IV”, elicits a sense of continuation and connects its theme with the wider series of “Speechless” pieces.

Capturing the frustration of struggling with articulation, Sam-La Rose uses repetitions and circular phrasings. For example, the phrase ‘speechless but for’ recurs multiple times, illustrating the relentless cycle of struggling to communicate.
Sam-La Rose’s use of figurative language, like metaphors and similes, powerfully renders the silent chasm between emotion and expression.
Much like his other poems, his inclusion of colloquialisms and vernacular language adds credibility to his narratives and characters.

Reflect on the communicative challenges presented in “Speechless IV” and their representation in the poem. Think whether these challenges are universal or specific to the individual characters.
Consider the poem’s structure, particularly the use of free verse and variable line lengths, and debate how they echo the poem’s themes.
Investigate Sam-La Rose’s linguistic choices, considering his inclusion of repetitions, circular phrasings, and colloquialisms. Identify the mood or effect they create.
Analyze the poet’s use of figurative language and how it illustrates the disparity between emotion and speech. Are these metaphors and similes effective in conveying the speechless state of the characters?
Reflect on the role of the title, “Speechless IV”, and its relation to the series of “Speechless” poems. What do you interpret from the title and how does it frame your understanding of the poem?