In Poetry

Seeing poetry in "Pushing it Down and Praying"

Poetry is a general classification in literature, Oxford Languages defines it as, "literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature." Although this definition is truthful I believe songs can be an example of poetry even though it isn't written in a book or a novel. Lizzy McAlpine's song, "Pushing it Down and Praying" could be seen as poetry.  McAlpine's song is rich in figurative language devices and expresses these beautifully. Her song I raw and real with human emotions people feel on a daily basis that can be easily connected to. Her feelings explore another side of love and not so the good side but the raw emotion of yearning, guilt, and questioning. According to the article, "Pushing It Down and Praying” is a taste of Lizzy McAlpine’s ingenuity on Older (and Wiser)" by Koharu Ando explains, "Her brutally honest lyricism is about more than saying things to just say them. This technique makes her a compelling storyteller, someone who is able to spin shattering narratives out of seemingly ordinary things" (Georgetown Voice). Similar to poetry, McApline leaves enough questions for interpretation of what the story means to them and what way they can take it. Her short song holds enough meaning in her lyrics to make this possible. 

One feature of poems that McAlpine's song shares is figurative language devices. As seen before, her use of repetition, metaphors, and symbolism is applied all throughout her lyrics. Not only is figurative language in this song it is also in many! For example, "All that frill and flash that we often find in poetry is actually something you’re already quite experienced with. We constantly hear metaphors and similes in pop songs, and our everyday speech is peppered with figurative language"(Hazelton). This is already one similarity you can see every day, which goes beyond how songs can be poetry, but also how poetry can be songs. 

In her song, it is clear that the strong human emotions that she feels are frustrated throughout these lyrics. She does an amazing job making these emotions deep so that other people can relate to them.  The theme can be multiple, but overly arcs the feeling of guilt and emotion, but questions the love she has. Likewise, in poems, they also explore expressive emotions. Such as, "The three simulations predict certain sorts of emotion, e.g., prosodic cues can evoke basic emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, and anxiety. Empirical evidence corroborates the theory, which we relate to other accounts of poetic emotions"(Johnson-Laird, Oatley).  Emotional honesty can be in poems and songs, which makes them so similar; some explore happier themes, while others are so deep that they are relatable.

Like I said, this song doesn't have a specific rhythm and explores free verse; the pacing and sound show a pattern. The line, "Touch and touch and touch me," shows a sensual tension and builds up a slower rhythm.  In poetry rhythm, "Is the pace at which a reader moves through the next, where the stressed words/syllables are, and how those things affect the reader’s understanding of the poem. It can help make some words stand out while allowing others to fade into the background"(Baldwin). McAlpine focuses on making the words and sounds deep enough to stand out to whoever is listening. She uses certain words and repeats them to make the same effect, to make them stand out, to better understand how she is feeling. 

Many of her lyrics are also descriptive words that share personal experiences that one can picture. The lyrics "I'm in bed, layin' down, naked/He's inside of me/I love him, kiss his mouth, prayin'/He can't see what I see" are powerful imagery through sexual intimacy.  Likewise, "Imagery in poetry refers to the use of evocative and metaphorical language that simulates sensory experiences for the reader. Poets employ imagery to convey complex themes and ideas that may be difficult to express through literal language. Often intertwined with symbolism, imagery can enhance thematic connections within a poem and across a poet's body of work"(Greene).  Using imagery can help create visual images to better understand the poem/song. That is exactly what McAlpine does in her song.