THE COCKROACH
BY KEVIN HALLIGAN
BIOGRAPHY
Kevin Halligan is a Canadian poet and writer
who was born in 1964. His notable works
include The Cockroach and his poetry
collection Utopia. Many of his individual poems
were published in the Times Literary
Supplement from 1998 to 2006.
I watched a giant cockroach start to pace,
Skirting a ball of dust that road the floor.
At first he seemed quite satisfied to trace
A path between the wainscot and the door,
THE POEM
But soon he turned to jog in crooked rings,
Circling the rusty table leg and back,
And flipping right over to scratch his wings.
As if the victim of a mild attack
Of restlessness that worsened over time.
After a while, he climbed an open shelf
And stopped. He looked uncertain where to
go.
Was this due payment for some vicious crime
A former life had led to? I don't know
Except I thought I recognised myself.
Form and Lineation
Lines and Stanzas: The poem consists of a single stanza
with 14 lines, which aligns with the traditional form of a sonnet.
However, it deviates from conventional sonnet structures, as it
does not strictly adhere to the traditional rhyme scheme or
metrical pattern.
STRUCTURE
Line Length and Meter: The poem generally follows an
iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables.
The regular rhythm helps create a steady and contemplative
tone, while the occasional variation in meter adds emphasis
and nuance.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem exhibits a loose rhyme scheme that resembles the
rhyme pattern of a sonnet but does not strictly adhere to it.
The rhyme scheme can be identified as ABAB CDCD EFEF
GG:
Enjambment: The poem frequently uses enjambment, where lines continue without a
pause into the next. This technique creates a flowing, conversational tone and mirrors
the continuous movement of the cockroach. For example:
"At first he seemed quite satisfied to trace / A path between the wainscot and the
door," (lines 3-4)
Caesura: There are instances of caesura, or pauses within a line, which emphasize
certain moments or ideas. For example:
"And stopped. He looked uncertain where to go." (line 11)
Volta (Turn)
The poem contains a volta, or a thematic turn, around lines 9-11. The initial focus on the
cockroach's physical actions shifts to a deeper contemplation of its behavior and
possible implications. This turn is typical of a sonnet structure, where the poem moves
from a description to a reflective or philosophical consideration.
Line 1: "I watched a giant cockroach start to
pace,"
Theme: The poem opens with an observation of a
cockroach, suggesting a sense of curiosity or
contemplation.
LINE BY LINE
ANALYSIS
Poetic Device: The use of "giant" emphasizes the
size and perhaps the significance of the cockroach.
The word "pace" personifies the cockroach,
attributing a human-like action.
Line 2: "Skirting a ball of dust that rode the floor."
Theme: This line describes the cockroach's
interaction with its environment, highlighting the
mundane setting.
Poetic Device: Imagery is used to paint a detailed
picture of the scene. The personification of the dust
"that rode the floor" adds a dynamic element.
Theme: The initial sense of contentment in the
cockroach’s movement suggests routine or familiarity.
Poetic Device: The word "seemed" implies
subjectivity, indicating the speaker's interpretation.
The personification of the cockroach being "quite
satisfied" attributes emotion.
Line 4: "A path between the wainscot and the door,"
Theme: The cockroach follows a specific route,
indicating a habitual action or predetermined path.
Poetic Device: Imagery and alliteration ("wainscot and
the door") create a vivid picture and a rhythmic quality.
Line 5: "But soon he turned to jog in crooked rings,"
Theme: A shift occurs as the cockroach changes its
movement, suggesting confusion or restlessness.
Poetic Device: The verb "jog" humanizes the
cockroach, and the phrase "crooked rings" introduces
a sense of erratic behavior.
Line 6: "Circling the rusty table leg and back,"
Theme: The cockroach's repetitive action may symbolize
aimlessness or being trapped in a cycle.
Poetic Device: The imagery of the "rusty table leg" adds a
sense of decay or neglect.
Line 7: "And flipping right over to scratch his wings"
Theme: This line portrays the cockroach engaging in a natural
behavior, indicating a break from its previous movement.
Poetic Device: The action of "flipping" and "scratching"
provides a vivid image and suggests a moment of discomfort
or adjustment.
Line 8: "As if the victim of a mild attack"
Theme: The poem introduces the idea of the cockroach
experiencing an external force or internal struggle.
Poetic Device: The simile "as if the victim" conveys
vulnerability and personifies the cockroach's experience.
Line 9: "Of restlessness that worsened over time."
Theme: The sense of restlessness suggests a growing
discomfort or existential crisis.
Poetic Device: The alliteration ("worsened over time")
emphasizes the progression of the cockroach's
unease.
Line 10: "After a while, he climbed an open shelf"
Theme: The cockroach's action of climbing indicates a
change in its journey, possibly symbolizing a search for
something more.
Poetic Device: The imagery of "an open shelf"
suggests an opportunity or a new perspective.
Line 11: "And stopped. He looked uncertain where to
go."
Theme: The pause and uncertainty reflect indecision
or a lack of direction, mirroring human experiences.
Poetic Device: The caesura after "stopped" creates a
pause, mirroring the cockroach's halt. Personification
is used as the cockroach "looked uncertain."
Line 12: "Was this due payment for some vicious
crime"
Theme: The speaker speculates on the cause of
the cockroach's behavior, hinting at a sense of
guilt or karma.
Poetic Device: The rhetorical question introduces
a philosophical element, suggesting
consequences for past actions.
Line 13: "A former life had led to? I don’t know"
Theme: The mention of a "former life" alludes to
the concept of reincarnation or the idea of
carrying past burdens.
Poetic Device: The phrase "I don't know"
indicates uncertainty and introspection.
Line 14: "Except I thought I recognised myself."
Theme: The speaker identifies with the
cockroach, suggesting a deeper reflection on
their own life and struggles.
Poetic Device: The first-person perspective
creates a personal connection, while the
recognition implies empathy or a shared
experience.
Conclusion
The poem uses the journey and behavior of a
cockroach as a metaphor for human experiences,
particularly feelings of restlessness, confusion, and
introspection. Through vivid imagery,
personification, and rhetorical questions, the poet
explores themes of existential uncertainty and selfreflection. The cockroach's actions serve as a
mirror for the speaker's own life, leading to a
moment of recognition and contemplation.