Analysis of A Maiden Sally

1. The poem is in a Sestet, with Eight Syllable Meter. The poem is speaking of a maiden, who is pensive about a decision. Whether it is sexual, or political, the poem is subject to multiple interpretations. However, there is a Maiden, named Sally, who is the character of the poem.
2. She is contemplating in solitude. A familiar situation for a lot of people, about to make a decision.
3. This line is to be read as its own interrupter phrase, like it were set off by Em Dashes. Sally is “Sojourn of Capitulation” Sojourn acting as if Sally were a sojourner of Capitulation. Sojourn acting as a unique part of speech, not easily identifiable, but almost intonating a captive or like the phrase were an epithet.
4. She is contemplating for “Nourishment” of her “Soul’s fare.” The soul’s Prosperity. She is contemplating so her soul can be nourished. A continuation of line 2.
5. Her yearning must culminate somewhere, and it culminates
6. Into her “Odyssey of Temptation”. The temptation being forbidden, perhaps a compromise in values.

Thoughts: The poem is clearly meditating on action. It can be either beneficial or harmful. The narrator is thinking about the actions she is going to take. It could relate to any number of things. A compromise of political virtue, which is being deliberated on whether it is necessary to journey into the temptation. The character calls herself “Sojourn of Capitulation”, she is a temporary resident of capitulation, or as the poem more likely implies a captive to it, or like being in a bivouac.

Further Thoughts: I must admit, everyone in the world is feeling this way. With the political landscape changing so rapidly, and the political ideology becoming muddied. It is hard to understand where the lines are drawn, or who’s in the right. At the end of the day, we have to trust in the virtues we had instilled in us, which were freedom and fairness. As we’re all contemplating on political action right now, and trying to figure out our roles.

Yassy, Yaskhan. “A Maiden Sally.” WordPress, 2020. https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/109211992/posts/6962. 1.16.20. Web.