Criticism : IAR Practical Criticism Reading poem

 How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals by Gopal Honnalgere :-

Gopal Honnalgere (1942 - 2003), a once prominent English language poet who published six volumes in his lifetime. Unfortunately, all six volumes are now out of print and Honnalgere remains largely forgotten. He was born in Karnataka and later, taught art and writing at the Oasis School in Hyderabad. It is said that he spent his later years in abject poverty, however, we could not find any information about his circumstances or his demise.

Read the full poem below :-

How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals

don't leave them together

don't allow them to talk to each other

they may form a trade union

don't at anytime leave them near

a wall clock, law books, a calendar, the national flag,

gandhi's portrait, or a newspaper

they may hear about

independence, satyagraha,

holidays, working hours, minimum wages, corruption

don't take them to your temple

they may at once know you are weak

your god is false and they may bite you

don't let them near your dining table

they may ask for food

or cast their evil eyes on your dinner

first use them only for short walks

then gradually increase the distance

they should never know the amount of work they have to do

pull their tight straps loose

let them feel happiness

they are growing bigger

smear some old oil on the rough straps

let them feel they are anointed

now they are good subdued labourers

ready to work overtime

for your fat feet

The poem progresses the poet's assumed personae . He just gives direction like a businessman would give an assembly line for months. Don't let them talk to each other , don't let them come clost newspaper, don't let them talk about holiday, working hours, or minimum ways. It is kind of its very beautiful form for poem and for chappals which never give so much importance too. The way chappals personify their life is brief to them. It's actually really good and the way the poem ends for your fat feets. Now their good subbed labourers are ready to do over time for your fat feet. The reader is immediately call fat in the end.