Wensi Cai's relatively short poem, "ICU (for now)", discusses the impermanence of life and a mortal's vulnerability to death. Written in second person, the poem focusses on a teenager who so unexpectedly, is brought to the precipice between life and death. The title of the poem holds a meaning two-fold. At first glance, the title reflects the setting of the poem: the Intensive Care Unit at a hospital. However, the title also represents the precarious balance between living and dying as it can be read as: "I see you (for now)". Although there is no set rhythm or rhyme, Cai uses other literary features such as alliteration and symbolism to form a work of wistful reflection.
The poem's first two lines open with the vivid image of the metaphorical "ribbon of life" in motion. The repetition of the sound 'tw' in the movements, "twirling and twisting", is relatively lyrical and firm, displaying the rapturousness and vivacity of life. This image is starkly contrasted with the next two lines as the very same ribbon is cut by The Knife. Even the motion of the ribbon is juxtaposed with the words, "flowing and falling" which uses a rather soft enunciation of the 'f' sound. At this point, the reader must question the significance of the capitalized "The Knife". We cannot fail to recognize how easily The Knife "sliced smooth" the ribbon, suggesting that even a seemingly secure and spirited life force can be brought to its end by unannounced instrument.
The next part of the poem takes on a rueful tone as the extinguishment of youth is contemplated on. Here, life and in particular a youthful life, is symbolized by a "freshly grown" flower. The word "just" emphasizes the short life of the newly-formed entity. Like how leisurely and carelessly we may bend down to pluck the head of flowers, a sprightly life may be put out. This life, so unknowingly precious like "shiny dark gems", will become worthless, fit for only wasteland. The speaker of the poem seems to be aware of her loss as the relatively alien emotions of pain and fear overcome her. Her world that was so free and expanse has now been confined to a single place: her hospital bed. Perhaps, like the speaker of the poem, we will only be aware of how cherished our own existence is when we are on the brink of losing it.
The ending lines of the poem leave us at the bedside of the teenager. The uncertainty of her fate is perceptible by the question, "how much time is there left?" The teenager has almost no control over her being with machines controlling her functions. This is only emphasized by the lone sounds of "beep beep!". The teenager can only wait and hope.
Cai has produced a poem that is not only a reminder of the brittleness of a seemingly invincible youthful life but also an elegy of the loss of the life. Although it may be inevitable for youth and life to be taken away from us, we should enjoy both to the fullest.
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I thought I'd never do it... but I did. Good god, I hope I captured the right things Wensi. :/
Ahem. SL English through and through. :D
