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Ode To Dirt By Sharon Old Analysis

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Ode to Dirt Analysis The poem “Ode to Dirt” by Sharon Olds is an appreciation of nature through the beautiful personification of nature and meticulous word choice to provide more of a connection to the reader than just looking at it as just dirt like the author once did. The first line in the poem even states her regret in seeing dirt as just dirt saying, “Dear dirt, I am sorry I slighted you” Olds clearly shows remorse for the degradation of dirt and only now sees it as the beautiful part of nature it is and wants the reader to realize the same. The meaning of an ode is to either celebrate or praise and Olds definitely praises dirt for its everlasting role in life despite its subliminal impacts barely recognizable to the human mind. It also begs for forgiveness from the dirt for not realizing its relevance sooner. …show more content…

The aforementioned first line is a form of personification of dirt in the form of a letter but dirt is an inanimate object and obviously cannot read. Another line of personification is, “I had never honored you as a living equal, I was ashamed of myself” showing again her remorse for the dirt and not seeing it as it truly was, a living thing that is consistent with the earth and nature but always looked over. Olds ends the poem with personification saying, “O dirt, help us find ways to serve your life.” She is begging for a way to repay the dirt she spent almost her entire life degrading with her ignorance. She continues praising dirt after the apologies which I believe to be a pattern in her poem. She praises dirt for its decomposing qualities and its reliability to utilize us as we have utilized it after

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