Myth

“Myth” by Natasha Trethewey is an 18-line poem divided into what are called enclosed tercets, three-line stanzas that employ an ABA rhyme. “Myth” is also a palindrome which hinges on its asterisk after Line 9. A palindrome in its simplest form is something that can be read the same way forward or backward as in the word noon. In a poem, this technique is more sophisticated. The initial lines are written, but then generally turn on a line in the middle, whereupon the original lines appear in reverse order. In “Myth,” the use of palindrome heightens the idea that grief is cyclical and constantly repeats. Further the form creates a circular action in terms of reading, creating a loop as the poem is read both backwards and forwards returning upon itself.

Although the lines don’t follow a set meter, the use of rhyme creates a song-like effect. The use of the enclosed tercets—three lines stanzas with the ABA rhyme—also adds to the sense of enclosure the repetition of grief causes for the mourner. The “ing” A rhymes in 12 of the lines suggest the continuous processing of grief while the B rhyme of “hollow” (Lines 2, 17), “tomorrow” (Lines 5, 14), and “follow” (Lines 8, 11) suggest the emptiness of coming days without the loved one.