Section III: Shadow of the Blues Summary

"The Weary Blues" (Pg. 33):

This piece is written in the cadence of a blues song. The speaker describes watching an old, black blues man playing the piano. The poem includes a blues lyric.

"Hope" (Pg. 35):

This poem is four lines in length. The rhyme scheme is ABCB. More a reflection than an actual verse, the speaker takes hope from his/her realization that even loneliness passes.

"Late Last Night" (Pg. 36):

Another piece written in the blues style. A short piece comprised of three short stanzas. The first stanza's rhyme scheme is ABCB. The second and third (shorter) stanzas reflect a rhyme scheme much like the first: ABCBDEB. In this piece, the speaker laments the loss of his lover's affection. This theme is common to American blues music. The speaker is sleepless and brokenhearted...