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Song of A Common Lover

In 'Song of a Common Lover,' the speaker expresses a desire for a deep and enduring love, using various metaphors to convey their longing. They directly address their beloved, emphasizing the importance of a love that is reliable and meaningful rather than fleeting or superficial. The poem reflects the author's lyrical style and influences from Malagasy culture.

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Han Sarceda
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89 views3 pages

Song of A Common Lover

In 'Song of a Common Lover,' the speaker expresses a desire for a deep and enduring love, using various metaphors to convey their longing. They directly address their beloved, emphasizing the importance of a love that is reliable and meaningful rather than fleeting or superficial. The poem reflects the author's lyrical style and influences from Malagasy culture.

Uploaded by

Han Sarceda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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of love that's steady and true, providing a sense of belonging and

comfort.

WHO IS THE SPEAKER OF THE POEM?


"Song of a Common Lover" is written from a first-person
perspective, where the speaker directly shares their feelings and
desires about love. They express how they want to be loved in
various ways, comparing it to shadows, pepper, pillows, and other
things. Through these comparisons, the speaker conveys their
longing for a deep and enduring love.

TO WHOM IS THE SPEAKER SPEAKING? SONG OF A COMMON


In "Song of a Common Lover," the speaker directly addresses their
beloved, expressing their desires and preferences regarding how
LOVER
they wish to be loved.
BY FLAVIEN RANAIVO

UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULT TERMS


Calabash an evergreen tropical American tree which
bears fruit of large woody gourds.
Cockcrow the time at which a cock characteristically
crows; daybreak; dawn.

Comrade a friend or trusted companion.

Scarcely means just before, hardly, or almost not.


DISCUSSANT: HANNAH S. YBAÑEZ
“SONG OF A COMMON LOVER” Love me like a beautiful dream,
By Flavien Ranaivo your life in the night,
my hope in the day;
Don't love me, my sweet, like a piece of money,
like your shadow ever with me on earth,
for shadow fades at evening and for the great journey
and I want to keep you a faithful comrade;
right up at cockcrow; like a calabash,
nor like pepper intact, for drawing water;
which makes the belly hot in pieces, bridges for my guitar.
for then I couldn't take you
when I'm hungry; ABOUT THE AUTHOR
nor like a pillow Flavien Ranaivo (born May 13, 1914, Arivonimamo, Madagascar—
died December 20, 1999, Troyes, France) lyric poet deeply
for we'd be together in the hours of sleep
influenced by Malagasy ballad and song forms, in particular the
but scarcely meet by day; hain-teny, a poetic dialogue usually on the subject of love.

nor like rice


for once swallowed you think no more of it; ABOUT THE WORK

nor like soft speeches The poem is about wanting love that lasts and is meaningful. The
speaker doesn't want love that's like things that disappear quickly or
for they quickly vanish; are forgettable, like shadows or pepper. Instead, they want a love
nor like honey, that feels like a beautiful dream, always there to support and be
with them. They want love that's reliable and enduring, like a loyal
sweet indeed but too common.
friend or a comforting shade. Overall, the poem emphasizes the
importance

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