Analysis of Drowning Man



In attempts to rescue another from distress,
saviors must be cautious
lest they succumb to stress.

Lurking codependence can creep-up unaware.
Deviant conditions
control the whole affair.

Helping the disabled can cause a handicap.
Serving isn't bondage
in a slavery trap.

Caregivers of the ill should not be depleted.
Without concern for all
purpose is defeated.

Dutiful assistance has built-in restriction.
Even with boundless love
there is circumscription.

Beware the drowning man with a desperate grasp.
He will pull you under
with a grave, lethal gasp.


Scheme AXA BXB CXC XXX DXD EXE
Poetic Form
Metre 001110010101 101110 110111 10111101 100010 010101 10001011010 101010 001001 10101111010 010111 101010 100010110010 101101 111 01010110101 111110 101101
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 538
Words 86
Sentences 11
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Lines Amount 18
Letters per line (avg) 25
Words per line (avg) 5
Letters per stanza (avg) 76
Words per stanza (avg) 14
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Submitted on February 05, 2010

Modified on April 10, 2023

26 sec read
11

Wallace Dean LaBenne

Professor, therapist, author and poet. more…

All Wallace Dean LaBenne poems | Wallace Dean LaBenne Books

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