The Red Sweater

Legaspi is a contemporary poet who has not specifically identified with one particular literary movement. He is, however, part of a constellation of poets with ties to confessional poetry. His mentor, Philip Levine, was himself mentored by John Berryman, a major influence on the confessional poets. Confessional poetry dealt with private, emotional experiences surrounding often autobiographical subjects without accepting social censorship. Confessional poets paid attention to language and focused intently on craftsmanship and prosody, while taking a groundbreaking approach to the poetic self that often shocked readers and pushed boundaries.

Legaspi’s highly personal subjects and attention to language shares characteristics with modern post-confessional poets. Like Levine, and Sharon Olds—another named influence—Legaspi’s work demonstrates an interest in exploring the complexities of identity, emotional honesty, direct language, relaxed rhythms, and close attention to the details of everyday life. Because of Legaspi’s ties to confessional poetry, and the autobiographical nature of Imago, this reading of the poem takes the speaker of the poem to be Legaspi himself.