Well, as stated in class and after rereading the poems again, I would have to say that my favorite piece is still "Death, the Last Visit."
Her exploration of death is depicted in this piece in an interesting manner. Her use of raw, explicit language is unique.
The death she speaks of is in the form of release. the poem shows how death is the ultimate way to let go.
She has a somewhat sexual appeal with this poem which makes it interesting because one would not readily think of it in that light. But as she puts it in this poem sex and death are intertwined with each other through the loss of control of the body.
Howe's material explores spiritual/ biblical references and other themes such as alcoholism, child abuse, gender inequality, etc.
This poem relates to these themes as it discusses mortality. She talks of every day experiences in each poem as she does with the others. Well, every day occurrences for her and those who may suffer the same plight as her. She also explores how people deal with life/ living in her poems as well.
