Introduction: “His Little Circle”
This short poem, “His Little Circle,” is composed by Larry D. Thomas. It is a free verse poem with three stanzas, each consisting of nine lines, and no specific rhyme scheme. The subject of the poem is a bull rider who, when asked by the anonymous and unidentified narrator why he engages in bull riding, simply shrugs his shoulders, stating that he does it for the thrill.
The poem is presented in a dialogic form, where the narrator recounts how the bull rider has cracked five ribs in a short circle, gored his eye and head, ultimately leaving himself half-witted with a low IQ. Despite warnings from a dentist about the potential cancer risk associated with his snuff consumption, the bull rider grins and continues with his snuff and bull-riding, showing little concern for his well-being.
The main theme of the poem revolves around the idea that a professional, accustomed to certain habits like snuff consumption, tends to disregard the risks to his life. The unidentified speaker maintains a neutral tone throughout the poem, highlighting the bull rider’s passion while also pointing out the blunder of ignoring his health and well-being.
First Stanza of “His Little Circle”
The first stanza comprises nine lines, with each line starting with a lowercase letter except for the first two. The stanza functions as a dialogue, where the initial line introduces the bull rider’s passion, and the second line inquires about why he chose this profession. The subsequent line details his response and provides a glimpse into the consequences of his bull riding experiences: “In the short time / he’s ridden the circuit” (Lines 6-7). Given the absence of a rhyme scheme, the stanza lacks a specific structural pattern. It is organized around a sentence introducing the person, followed by a question, the rider’s response, and a brief description of the ensuing events.
The poet skillfully employs consonance in the third line with the ‘/sh/’ sound in “shrugs his shoulders.” Additionally, there is an antecedent for the bulls introduced in the eighth line, creating a connection for readers to understand the potential consequences of the rider’s actions (Lines 3-8). This emphasizes that his nonchalant shoulder-shrugging finds repercussions in the eighth line when the bulls retaliate.
Second Stanza of “His Little Circle”
The second stanza maintains the same pattern as the first, serving as a seamless continuation rather than a distinct conclusion. Similar to its predecessor, it also lacks a rhyme scheme and consists of nine lines. The poet continues to depict the bull rider’s experiences, building on the previous descriptions. The bull rider is now portrayed as having been gored and butted, resulting in him being “half-blind” and having “shaved off much of his IQ” (Lines 1-2).
The stanza features effective consonance, specifically with the repetition of the /m/ sound in the last line. This repetition leaves a significant impact on the reader, emphasizing the dentist’s concern for the bull rider’s health and well-being, despite the rider’s apparent indifference (Line 9). The stanza contributes to the ongoing narrative, providing further insight into the physical and intellectual toll of the bull rider’s chosen profession.
Third Stanza of “His Little Circle”
The third stanza adheres to the same structure, featuring nine lines without a rhyme scheme, and serves as a seamless continuation of the second stanza. The theme of the bull rider’s carelessness towards his own well-being persists, with the use of the word “forgotten” pointing back to the first line of the first stanza, emphasizing his single-minded focus on bull riding as his sole occupation (Line 1). The subsequent line reveals that he wears a small circle tattooed by his snuffbox, highlighting his pride and swagger when engaged in his profession (Line 2).
This stanza, much like the others, reinforces the bull rider’s professional dedication by repeating the phrase “his little circle” for emphasis. The repetition serves to underscore the central theme of the poem—the bull rider’s unwavering passion for and dedication to his craft. The poet employs an assonance with the phrase “bright rodeo light” in the second-to-last line of the stanza, creating a pleasing auditory effect that adds to the overall appeal of the poem (Line 8).
Unity in “His Little Circle”
The poem is a cohesive narrative that commences with a brief portrayal of a professional bull rider, delves into the physical toll he has endured, and culminates with his apparent disregard for the risks he faces, as indicated by the word “forgotten” in relation to his self-awareness, attire, and enduring preoccupation with his life’s passion (Line 1). The poem effectively captures the essence of the bull rider’s life, showcasing his dedication to bull riding despite the evident threats to his well-being. His nonchalant response, characterized by a mere shrug and grin in the face of life-threatening dangers, underscores the central theme of the poem.
Overall, the poem is a remarkable achievement, skillfully narrating the entire life story of a professional bull rider within three stanzas, creating a unified and compelling whole. The poet successfully encapsulates the complexities of the bull rider’s existence, portraying both the physical consequences and the unwavering passion that define his life.
Works Cited: “His Little Circle”
Thomas, Larry D. “My Little Circle” . Concho River Review, Volume 31, No. 1 [as corrected by the poet Larry Thomas himself by email]
Relevant Questions about “His Little Circle”
- How does Larry D. Thomas employ poetic devices, such as imagery or metaphor, in “His Little Circle” to convey the emotional or thematic depth of the poem?
- In the context of Larry D. Thomas’s selected poems, how does “His Little Circle” contribute to the overarching themes or motifs that are prevalent in his body of work, and what unique insights does it offer into his poetic style?
- Considering the publication date of “Larry D. Thomas: Selected Poems” in 2022, how does “His Little Circle” reflect or respond to the cultural or social context of the time, and are there any notable elements that distinguish it within the larger collection?
