Analysis of And I Have You by Nikki Giovanni - Essay Example

The poet seems to compare herself having this “you,” whoever “you” is, to the most basic features of existence. From this comparison, I feel that the poet is trying to emphasize how important and essential it is having whoever she has because in general there is always the possibility of a human being losing his/her loved ones. It is impossible to imagine how the sun could lose its shine or how the moon could lose its beam because these things belong so closely together.

The comparison that the poet makes of having this certain someone, with what the sun has and what the moon has, is an emphasis on how much she cherishes this person and how she would not be able to bear living her life without this beloved person. She holds on to the hope that this love is eternal like these other relations. The rhyme scheme of the poem also seems to make a contribution to the theme because it creates emphasis on the word choice of the very last word of each stanza. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB.

The rhymed words at the end of the second and fourth lines of each stanza provide a rather loving yet possessive atmosphere to the story. The last words that have been used in each of the stanzas are “mine, “yours”, “stick”, “sweet”, “cure” and “you”. These words provide a sense of romantic feeling in the poem. Specifically with the words “sweet”, “mine” and “yours,” they give the reader the feeling that the poet is in a relationship and is very much in love and passion with this special person.

As for the words “cure” and “stick, they do not so much emphasize passion but rather hint more towards being supportive. This word “stick” could simply mean the poet would forever remain by the beloved person’s side even through hard times. The word “cure” is also similar in that it suggests a supportive relationship rather than the passionate side. This word could simply mean that the doctor cures patients and the two lovers just love each other.

These are natural states which everyone takes for granted. The stanza structure of the poem, in my opinion, does contribute to the theme. While reading through the poem there seems to be a pause at the end of each stanza. I feel that these pauses are like each moment that the poet has with her partner and it is clear how much she cherishes each of these moments. Judging by the pauses of each stanza and the word choices of each stanza, and how the diction that is used in each stanza is mostly romantic diction, there is a feeling of the poet cherishing each moment with each stanza that she writes.

To sum up, I feel that the language, the rhyme scheme, and the structure of the poem succeed in providing the romantic yet possessive atmosphere of the poem. The author was able to choose words that would reflect the overall meaning of the poem, which is the natural and permanent status of her romance. Through the rhyme scheme coupled with the word choice, the author is able to contribute to the romantic theme of the poem. Also through the structures, he was able to provide pauses between the stanzas in an attempt to make the reader feel the cherished feeling that the poet has for her partner.