Analysis of My Fathers Coat by Marc Kelly Smith

Marc Kelly Smith is an American writer with an interesting style that he applies to spoken word poetry. His poem titled “My Fathers Coat” uses the literary devices of repetition, apostrophe, conceit, tempo and line breaks to convey its meaning and mood. The poem has a dark and unsettling feeling to it and is a great example of how the writer of spoken word can use the form of the poem combined with delivery to convey their perspective and feelings to the audience. Smith often states that he does not like his father and he has passed away, even though he is wearing his coat. This makes the theme that Smith is living life as his father had.

The poem often uses repetition to convey a dark mood over the whole writing. The poem starts and has the phrases repeated “I’m wearing my father’s coat. He has died. I didn’t like him” (Smith). Even when the phrases are not repeated exactly, almost every stanza has reference to the fact that he did not like his father who had passed away and he is wearing his coat. This sets a memorable tone with a combination of distaste and justification.

In speaking about his father throughout the writing Smith utilizes the literary device of apostrophe. His father is not present, but he is mentioned throughout the poem. Stanza five is completely about Smiths father “It’s not that I’m trying now; To be proud of my father. I didn’t like him. He was a narrow man.” (Smith). He references his father at a minimum to say he has passed away but also talks about him with these negative perspectives. This gives the impression that Smith is not happy to be living like his father and also demonstrates that he misses him.

Conceit is used in the poem as the whole writing is a metaphor for Smiths life. The coat represents Smiths father’s way of living and by saying he is wearing his fathers coat Smith is saying he is living his life in a similar way to his father. When Smith makes statements about not liking his father, he is actually reflecting on how he feels about himself. There is also the metaphor of Smith stating he is fine with his fathers passing. Had this not bothered Smith he would not mention it every time he mentioned the coat. This appears to be a justification for mentioning his father has passed but it is actually Smith saying he or the situation is not OK.

The tempo used in reading the poem gives it a morbid, serious and dark feeling. The way Smiths voice sounds is raspy and harsh. Each line is spoken directly and with intention. The lines are spoken in succession and maintain a quick tempo in a similar way to shouting but they are only spoken. There is a feeling of anger under the serious way the poet sites his writing. The tempo instills the same mood one would expect when reading the poem before listening but also adds to the intensity of the feelings invoked from the words alone. There is no warmth or brightness to this piece as read by Smith.

The line break usage in the piece also add to setting the mood of severity. The way the lines are broken makes them short and to the point. This is visible in every stanza with statements being made line by line such as “I didn’t love him,” on one line then the next says “but I wear the coat.” (Smith) This method makes each line feel like a direct statement, similar to what one may find in a legal document or on directions for taking medication. This direct way of writing combines well with the deliver Smith uses when reading his poem.

The poem “My Fathers Coat” written and performed by Marc Kelly Smith is a very emotional piece. The poem is a metaphor for Smith living life as his father had, missing his father after his passing and being unhappy about both. He uses literary devices that are common in spoken word poetry to convey a mood of severity, anger and general discontent. There is a high amount of repetition that continually reiterates the same points throughout the poem making them memorable and giving them significance. The style the poem has is not for everyone but it is a good example of spoken word poetry and how both the words, stanzas and way the author delivers the piece can convey the feeling of the writer to the audience.

Works Cited

Smith, Marc Kelly. “My Father’s Coat’ by Marc Kelly Smith.” Rattle: Poetry, 8 Feb. 2018, www.rattle.com/my-fathers-coat-by-marc-kelly-smith

Cover Image

Shuraeva, A. (2021, April 17). Grayscale photo of a man holding an umbrella · Free stock photo. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/grayscale-photo-of-a-man-holding-an-umbrella-7539498/