All-American Sestina

The poem All-American Sestina abides to the strict format of the Sestia through 39 lines, six stanzas containing six lines, and ending with an envoy. These poems must repeat five words in each stanza and through these words the theme should be made clear. In All-American Sestia there are many hyphens, few commas, and zero periods. By eliminating periods the author conveys a tone of an unending statement, it seems the author could have easily continued the poem and relate many more common American hobbies with the five numbers. This poem doesnt adhere to any rhyme scheme, however it did contain alliteration, assonance, and allusions. Mayer's writes, "six shooter", "sweet sixteen", and "six string" to employ alliteration. Her poem also contains assonance in "five-and- dine." But most importantly it is full of allusions, Mayer's writes "four score and seven years ago," "One nation indivisible," "hole in one," and many other familiar terms to American ears. Mayer's is alluding to America's national Anthem, presidents speeches, and American sports, which all emphasize the All-American Sestia.

I thought Mayer's constructed the poem in a very clever way that captured the readers attention as well as entertained the reader. The poem in some parts enveloped the light heartedness of American pass times like "golf" "baseball" "cars" "music" and many others. At the same time the poem also shed importance on some of America's political history like the anthem and "four score and seven years ago"as well as "Fourth of July" and "five star general." I really appreciated both aspects of the poem because growing up in America I can relate to our war history as well as everyday pleasures.