Review of Robert Hayden’s poem ‘The prisoners'

Review of Robert Hayden’s poem ‘The prisoners'

I request readers to read the poem first from the link above and then only my review. Thanks.

Robert Hayden’s life span was from 1913-1980. So we can understand the challenges he must have faced as an Africo American. ‘The prisoners’ poem reflects his anguish and his voice against the ill treatment and denial of equal rights to the colored. This poem visualizes a prison where ‘dispossessed’ are held and threatened with knives and guns. Their birth right and possessions have been snatched. They are dispossessed. The prison is a mass confinement. The expression ‘Rec Hall’ symbolizes an auditorium for academic discussions. The expression ‘dispossessed’ indicates the rights, opportunities and share of power denied to the colored. Amongst the readers of his poems and audience to recitation of his poetry, the poet sees both the poetry lovers and right minded amongst the white and the suffering masses of the colored. He feels his contribution and raising of his voice through his poetry is not enough. There is a tone of remorse in the ending lines:

We shared reprieving Hidden Words

revealed by the Godlike imprisoned

One, whose crime was truth.

And I read poems I hoped were true.

It's like you been there, brother, been there,

the scarred young lifer said.

There is one more subtle depiction in these lines. Appreciation of art, music or literature is one of the traits of the elite, though not exclusive to them. Most of the white who read his poetry and appreciated were lovers of literary master pieces and never carried any inclination to support the scattered voices of individuals and forums for equal rights of the colored. ‘I read the poems I hoped were true,’ shows the poet regretted that his poetry and the messages through them were insufficient for the causes of equal rights for the colored. This poem is subtle and sharp. The reader feels the agony, pain and insult suffered by the colored.