Poetry for Students, Volume 29

collectively. In section three, the speaker lists
many of the things he loves that Americans also
love, punctuating his list with a reminder that
he is not American. His identity as an Iraqi is
important, especially in the context of what he
and Americans have in common, as he refuses
to compromise his identity as a member of the
Iraqi community. Although there are many
things about America that he loves, he has no
need for many elements of its culture, such as its
impressive city skylinesand its political parties.
During Saddam Hussein’s reign, of course,
there was really only one political party operat-
ing in Iraq; still, the speaker does not have any
use for the two American parties. In a commu-
nal voice, the speaker declares that what he does
need is his village, a placetofishnearby,native
flora and fauna, and peace. The memories that
bring him contentment are those that are
uniquely Iraqi, including those of the date
palms and the mosque in Basra. Such memories
are probably shared among the Iraqi people. In
the last section, when the speaker refers to the
gods of his people, it is with notes of loyalty if
not of victory.

STYLE

Free Verse

‘‘America, America’’ is written in free verse, a

form that inspired Youssef as a young poet,

and one that he has refined and claimed as a

legitimate form of Arabic poetry. Traditional

Arabic poetry is not written in free verse, but

Youssef and others have shown that modern

readers of Arabic can relate to free verse in a

meaningful way. It should be mentioned that

Youssef is known for his rhyming abilities, a

poetic trait that is lost in translation. In ‘‘Amer-

ica, America,’’ Youssef uses the form to present

the past and present Iraq in a series of images

and declarations that lend insight into the every-

day Iraqi’s feelings toward the Americans. Free

verse reads as more conversational and sponta-

neous than highly structured poetry, and it gives

the poet the freedom to present descriptions,

thoughts, memories, and emotions without the

confines of rhyme, foot, or meter. This form is

well suited to ‘‘America, America,’’ in which

emotions ranging from passion to surrender are

central to the speaker’s expression. Youssef’s use

Iraqis live in squalor in former air force base(Chris Hondros / Getty Images)

America, America