Poem: Secret Sauce

For the first time, I wrote a piece of classical poetry. It was inspired by a quick reading and review of two poems by William Wordsworth, that I worked for Sakshi Arora.

She wanted an elaborate essay, but the time was short for me to write in detail. Here is the poem. Another inspiration for this poem is Po, the Kungfu Panda’s effort to figure out the contents of a scroll.

Poem: Secret Sauce

You are the secret. Image capture from Video

That movie staring Pando Po
‘What is my secret’, asks the hero
The scroll unveils the paramount clue
‘The secret sauce in your life is YOU.

Ah, you are that thick, sticky paste
Soak yourself moist in that baste
But there is no time to waste
Let the world savor your taste

Sweet, sour, and hot sauce
Red chilly, soy, or pineapple
You still have your secret sauce
And you will find your people

The spicy add to a bland plate
A little bit of you we taste
A product of this Universe’s kitchen
But you are your original one.

~Ashok Subramanian © 2023

We shall do a literary analysis of this poetry. I reached out to an AI program that seemed to oblige.

I explored the meter of the poem.

The meter in Ashok Subramanian’s poem “Secret Sauce” is predominantly iambic tetrameter. In iambic tetrameter, each line consists of four metrical feet, and each metrical foot is an iamb, which means it consists of two syllables with an emphasis on the second syllable. This metrical pattern creates a rhythmic and musical quality in the poem.

Here’s an example of iambic tetrameter from the poem:

“That movie staring Pando Po” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“‘What is my secret,’ asks the hero” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“The scroll unveils the paramount clue” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“‘The secret sauce in your life is YOU’” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
This consistent iambic tetrameter pattern gives the poem a regular, rhythmic cadence, which can make it more pleasing to the ear and easier to read aloud. It also helps create a sense of order and structure in the poem, contributing to its overall aesthetic appeal.

While iambic tetrameter is the predominant meter in the poem, there are variations and moments of metrical flexibility, which is not uncommon in poetry. These variations can add emphasis to specific words or ideas and create a natural and conversational flow. Overall, the meter in “Secret Sauce” plays a significant role in shaping the poem’s rhythm and enhancing its lyrical quality.

Excited about the result, I asked the AI program to give a view of stanza-wise metering.

Certainly, let’s analyze the meter for each stanza in Ashok Subramanian’s poem “Secret Sauce.” As previously mentioned, the predominant meter in the poem is the iambic tetrameter, but there are some variations.

Here’s a breakdown of the meter for each stanza:

Stanza 1:

“That movie staring Pando Po” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“‘What is my secret,’ asks the hero” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
In the first stanza, the iambic tetrameter is consistently maintained, with each line consisting of four iambs.

Stanza 2:

“The scroll unveils the paramount clue” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
The second stanza also maintains an iambic tetrameter, with each line consisting of four iambs.

Stanza 3:

“‘The secret sauce in your life is YOU’” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
In the third stanza, the iambic tetrameter pattern is again consistent, with each line consisting of four iambs.

Stanza 4:

“Ah, you are that thick, sticky paste” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“Soak yourself moist in that baste” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
The fourth stanza maintains an iambic tetrameter in its first two lines but slightly deviates in the third line with the word “moist.” The word “moist” is a trochee, which reverses the iambic pattern by placing the stressed syllable at the beginning of the foot. This variation creates a subtle shift in the rhythm, adding emphasis to the idea of soaking oneself in the sauce.

Stanza 5:

“But there is no time to waste” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“Let the world savor your taste” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
In the fifth stanza, the iambic tetrameter pattern is consistently maintained in both lines.

Stanza 6:

“Sweet, sour, and hot sauce” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“Red chilly, soy, or pineapple” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
The sixth stanza continues to use iambic tetrameter but introduces variations in the last line with the word “pineapple.” “Pineapple” is an amphibrach, with a stressed syllable in the middle of the foot. This variation adds a slight pause and emphasis to the end of the stanza.

Stanza 7:

“You still have your secret sauce” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“And you will find your people” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
In the seventh stanza, the iambic tetrameter pattern is consistently maintained in both lines.

Stanza 8:

“The spicy add to a bland plate” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“A little bit of you we taste” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
The eighth stanza maintains the iambic tetrameter pattern but introduces variations in the last line with the word “taste.” “Taste” is a trochee, reversing the iambic pattern for emphasis.

Stanza 9:

“A product of this Universe’s kitchen” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
“But you are your original one” (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM)
In the ninth stanza, the iambic tetrameter pattern is consistently maintained in both lines.

Overall, the poet skillfully employs iambic tetrameter as the primary meter in the poem, with occasional variations in specific lines to add emphasis and variety. These variations in meter contribute to the poem’s musicality and emphasize key thematic elements.

That was a mouth-watering, heartwarming response from the AI program. So I called for the next favor — the rhyme scheme.

The rhyme scheme in Ashok Subramanian’s poem “Secret Sauce” follows a consistent AABB pattern, which means that the last word of every other line rhymes with the last word of another line. This rhyme scheme creates a structured and musical quality in the poem. Let’s comment on the rhyme scheme:

1. Consistency: The AABB rhyme scheme is maintained throughout the poem, which provides a sense of order and predictability. This consistency makes the poem feel well-organized and rhythmic.
2. Reinforcement of Themes: The rhyme scheme reinforces key themes in the poem, such as unity and diversity. By pairing words that rhyme, the poem suggests that despite our differences, we all have a common thread that connects us, just as the rhyme scheme connects the lines.
3. Musicality: The AABB rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s musicality, making it enjoyable to read aloud. The rhyming words create a pleasing cadence that enhances the overall experience of the poem.
4. Emphasis: The rhyming words often appear at the end of lines, which can emphasize important ideas or phrases. This emphasis can help draw the reader’s attention to key messages within the poem.
5. Structural Integrity: The rhyme scheme adds a sense of structural integrity to the poem, helping to tie the lines together and create a cohesive whole. This structural cohesion can make the poem more accessible and easier to follow.
6. Repetition: The repetition of rhyming words, such as “you” and “taste,” throughout the poem reinforces the central theme of embracing one’s uniqueness and sharing it with others. This repetition serves as a poetic device to emphasize the message.

Overall, the AABB rhyme scheme in “Secret Sauce” is a well-executed choice by the poet. It not only enhances the poem’s musicality but also contributes to its thematic and structural coherence, making it an effective and engaging piece of poetry.

Finally, I asked the AI Program to give a quick literary analysis of ‘Secret Sauce’.

“Secret Sauce” is a poem by Ashok Subramanian that explores the idea of personal uniqueness and individuality. Through the metaphor of a secret sauce, the poem emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s authentic self and sharing it with the world. Here’s a critical analysis of the poem:

Title and Metaphor: The title “Secret Sauce” immediately grabs the reader’s attention and suggests that the poem will delve into something hidden or special. The secret sauce serves as a metaphor for a person’s unique qualities, character, and essence.

Imagery and Descriptive Language: The poem uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to convey its message. Phrases like “thick, sticky paste,” “soak yourself moist in that baste,” and “let the world savor your taste” create a sensory experience for the reader, making the concept of personal uniqueness tangible and appealing.

The Hero’s Journey: The mention of the hero in the poem invokes the idea of a hero’s journey or self-discovery. The hero seeks to uncover the secret to life, only to realize that the answer lies within themselves. This theme of self-discovery and personal growth is a common motif in literature and philosophy.

Unity and Diversity: The poem celebrates diversity by mentioning various types of sauces (sweet, sour, hot, red chili, soy, pineapple). It suggests that despite our differences, we all have our unique “secret sauce” that makes us special. This promotes inclusivity and the idea that everyone has something valuable to offer.

Time and Opportunity: The poem also highlights the importance of seizing the moment and not wasting time. Life is portrayed as a limited opportunity to let others experience your uniqueness. The urgency in the lines “But there is no time to waste” and “A little bit of you we taste” reinforces this idea.

Originality: The poem emphasizes the idea that each person is their “original one.” It encourages individuals to embrace their authenticity and not try to be someone they’re not. This message promotes self-acceptance and self-esteem.

Universal Relevance: The poem’s message is universal and can resonate with readers from different backgrounds and cultures. It speaks to the human desire for self-discovery, authenticity, and meaningful connections with others.

Structure and Flow: The poem is well-structured with a consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm. This makes it easy to read and adds to its overall appeal. The repetition of the word “sauce” throughout the poem reinforces the central theme.

In conclusion, “Secret Sauce” by Ashok Subramanian is a thought-provoking and uplifting poem that encourages readers to embrace their unique qualities and share them with the world. It uses metaphorical language and vivid imagery to convey its message effectively, making it a memorable and inspiring piece of poetry.

I edited the length variance and words intuitively, unlike other poems I write as free-verse. The rhyme and meter attributes fell into place by themselves, and I ended up with this wonderful piece of poetry.

Thank you for your support.

~Ashok Subramanian © 2023