Poetry Comparison/Contrast of Death

Thesis: The speaker in Collins' poem "My Number" is fearful of death, and he personifies death as malicious and looming. "I had heard it's a flight" by Denby also characterizes the onset of the death; however, the speaker considers death to be a captivating process rather than a terrifying concept.

     The subject of both poems is death; however, the speakers grapple with the concept of death in very distinct ways. The speaker from "My Number" is very concerned and frightened about the end of his life. Death is capitalized in the poem and personified as if it were human: "Is he too busy making arrangements, / tampering with air breaks" (5-6). Although he is scared to die, the speaker tries to reconcile this fear by personifying death. Giving death human characteristics is the speaker's attempt to understand and relate to this daunting process. Contrarily, the speaker of "I had heard it's a flight" emphasizes his comfort and curiosity about the subject. As an introduction, the speaker refers to death as "it" (1). Such a nonchalant and relaxed opening to such a heavy topic demonstrates how the speaker is not very intimidated by the thought of death. He later talks about his encounter with death in a very colloquial manner: "Was it sweet!" (9) and, "it gives me a kick" (13). The casual tone of the poem indicates how the speaker does not feel threatened of dying. Both poems broach the concept of death, but the speakers have very different attitudes toward the subject.

     The speakers of both poems finally come to terms with death, but they arrive at different conclusions. In the final stanza of "My Number," the speaker is ready to confront his fear: "Did you have any trouble with the directions? / I will ask, as I start talking my way out of this" (16-17). Throughout the rest of the poem, the speaker distances himself from the concept of death, and he either refers to it as a proper noun or pronoun. In the final lines, the speaker talks directly to death for the first time, demonstrating the transition and his acquired courage. He realizes that he must face death, but he is determined to prolong his life. Similarly, "I had heard it's a flight" also ends with a two line stanza. However, the speaker does not appear to make as prominent of a transition. The tone remains very colloquial and at ease, but the reader is left to dwell on the final lines:  "The crazy thing, so crazy it gives me a kick: / I can't get over that minute of dying so quick" (13-14). We are unsure if "quick" refers to his minute of dying or the speed at which he will get over the thoughts of death. The ambiguity leaves the reader questioning the sincerity of the speaker. His excitement may be the cause of adrenaline, and his interest seems immature and impulsive. The speakers of both poems elaborate on their thoughts of death; however, the speaker of "My Number" is reluctant but willing to face death while the speaker of "I had heard it's a flight" is ignorantly captured by the thrill.