Date & Time Analysis

    Phil Kaye’s poem "Date and Time" is a well-written poetry book filled with stories from his life, varying from his childhood to his adult life. Through these collections of poems in which Phil Kaye organizes by “Beginning, Middle and End” however he prefaces that it would not necessarily be in that order. Kaye exposes the readers to his various life experiences that not only express a range of emotions from the poet but evokes similar emotions from the reader as well.

    The collections of poems each have their own story mixed with a unique structure and a title that illustrates each story told. Kaye begins the poem by calling It “end” which is interesting because it implies that these collections of poems will not be in a chronological order necessarily. The first poem called “Canyon” explores him growing up to realize his parents stopped teaching Japanese which he later wishes that he could fully speak it (Kaye 11). Showing the regret Kaye has after realizes he is losing this piece of his identity. This is caused by him observing his little sister's inability to speak Japanese and his grandmother’s disappointment in that loss of their culture. Kaye begins with this poem because it creates the foundation of the adversity and regrets younger he felt. Another poem that stood out and added to the nostalgic feels of the poem is “Before the internet” In this poem through descriptive words, Kaye replays him and his friends' typical summertime with a joyful almost comedic tone that concludes with him getting hurt. Though Kaye gets hurt in this poem the cheerful tone that he displays is relatable as a reader because it makes one think about their impulsive adolescent behavior and how it becomes a learning lesson. In this more lighthearted poem, Kaye is evoking an emotion that everyone feels with wanting to travel back in time before barriers like the internet existed. He presents that tone in other poems like “Where the party at, or silence” and “Apparition”, though each different these stories focus on his interactions with others that have undoubtedly shaped him to be who is today. 

    A poem that stood out from the 2/3 was the last poem of the “Beginning” in which through repetition of the words “Whoa, be thankful for, …” (Kaye 68-69). followed by descriptive sometimes sensory words focused on his gratitude associated with the body and nature of his gratitude. This was pleasing to read because each stanza full of descriptive words allows me as a reader almost to feel what Kaye is describing.