Derek Mahon: Light Music

(Page numbers given refer to Collected Poems: Derek Mahon [CP]: The Gallery Press, 1999)

Poem Title

Original Publication

Light Music

Light Music, Belfast: Ulsterman Publications, 1977

CP Page no

70-74

Length / Form

A series of short, haiku-like stanzas

Allusion to Classical figure

Elpenor, who is buried with his oar in Odyssey 12 (l.8-15). Mahon also refers to this scene in ‘Lives’ (CP, p.44-46).

Allusion to Classical place

 

Relationship to Classical text

.

Close translation of words/phrases/excerpts

 

Classical/post-Classical intertexts

 

Further Comment

 

Further Analysis

 

 

Derek Mahon