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Table of Contents
"The Riddles (I)"
Overview
Traditionally, a riddle is a series of statements and questions that lead to a clear and concise answer. However, this piece titled “The Riddles (1)” is quite different from what that definition would lead a reader to expect. This piece is made up of ten short stanzas, with each stanza containing a title or heading followed by a short description (varying from 2-4 lines). Seven of the ten items (Moon, Watermelon, Anthill, Eyes, Rooster, Bull, and Smoke) focus on nature, two (Washboard and Canteen) focus on man-made items, and one (Spark) focuses on a subjective topic. In these pieces, the “answer” to each riddle is the title or heading of the stanza and the riddle itself is ascertaining how the title connects to the description.
The original writer of the poem is unknown, but Charles Simic is the translator. Simic is an award winning Serbian American poet and translator and a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.
Commentary
Since this poem is actually titled “The Riddles (1)” there could be “The Riddles (2)” but nothing indicates that at this time. What is interesting about these stanzas is that an “answer” appears to come before the description or the riddle. For example, in “Eyes” there are two ravens on what appears to be a horizontal plane not noticing each other. If you think about it carefully one eye can't see the other which is what is happening in this scene.
From the research conducted, Charles Simic appears to be involved with a lot of Serbo-Croatian poetry that closely aligns with riddles. Additionally, Piotr Florczyk notes that Charles Simic is a poet as well and writes poetry that is full of mystique and riddles. Simic's style parallels the poetry he translates as “Anthill” seems quite dark and gruesome.
Context
Serbian literature and oral stories are not mainstream but there is a chapter on it in this book. Here is that chapter. Here is another piece focusing on the oral component of Serbian literature.
There is an audio recording of a poem called “Riddle” by Charles Simic but interestingly it isn't the same as the one in Alcheringa. To me, this poem follows a more traditional expectation of a riddle.
Bibliography
Broaddus , Will. “Charles Simic, Former U.S. Poet Laureate, to Read in Peabody.” Salem News, 27 Apr. 2015, www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/charles-simic-former-u-s-poet-laureate-to-read-in-peabody/article_3f4c9727-b68d-5147-866a-de8571336880.html.
Florczyk, Piotr. “Praising the Riddle: Charles Simic and the Art of Joseph Cornell.” World Literature Today, vol. 81, no. 6, Nov. 2007, pp. 46–49. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com.proxy-iup.klnpa.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mzh&AN=2007301945&site=ehost-live.
Florczyk, Piotr. “The Riddler among Us *.” Salmagundi, no. 190, 2016, pp. 159-166,177. ProQuest, https://proxy-iup.klnpa.org/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy-iup.klnpa.org/scholarly-journals/riddler-among-us/docview/1794538182/se-2?accountid=11652.
Pride, Mike. “Beautifully Crafted: Charles Simic's Poetry Remains Dark but Cheerful and Artful.” Concord Monitor, Jul 27, 2008. ProQuest, https://proxy-iup.klnpa.org/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy-iup.klnpa.org/newspapers/beautifully-crafted/docview/402963845/se-2?accountid=11652.
