"with living tissue, raise a structure never meant to last,"

• Language

  • Extended metaphor of “living tissue” connects human life and identity to organic, delicate material.
  • “Raise a structure” implies humans build complex societies and identities on this fragile base.
  • The phrase “never meant to last” confronts human pride and desire for permanence with harsh reality.
• Form

  • The free verse form with no strict meter reflects instability and impermanence, reinforcing the fragile nature of human constructs.
  • The statement’s declarative tone adds a cautionary, reflective mood.
• Structure

  • Positioned at a turning point in the poem, it emphasizes the fragile foundation of human power and identity.
  • The phrase’s length and weight make it stand out, underscoring the inevitable decay of human attempts at permanence.
• Writers Intent and Context

  • Reflecting on her personal experiences of loss and impermanence, Dharker critiques human attempts to control life and identity through rigid structures (political, social, cultural).
  • The poem challenges fundamentalism and authoritarianism explored in the larger collection, advocating acceptance of life’s fragility and natural cycles.